Theatre in Practice - Nick O'Brien

Theatre in Practice: A Student's Handbook (Third Edition) by Nick O'Brien, with Annie Sutton and Mikhaela Mahony, is a comprehensive and practical guide designed for students studying A Level Drama, IB Theatre, and undergraduate theatre courses. Published by Routledge, this fully updated edition explores the theories and working methods of some of the world's most influential theatre practitioners, including Stanislavski, Brecht, Artaud, Lecoq, Berkoff, Bogart, Mitchell, and Craig, alongside contemporary companies such as Complicité, Gecko, Tamasha, Sh!T Theatre, and The Paper Birds. Combining clear explanations with an accessible writing style, the book offers numerous practical exercises that allow students to experience theatre through performance rather than theory alone. Step-by-step guidance covers essential skills including devising, improvisation, rehearsing monologues and duologues, and directing, while new chapters introduce key female practitioners, global majority artists, and exclusive insights into the acting methods of award-winning actress Indira Varma. Rich in practical activities and professional advice, this handbook is an invaluable resource for both classroom learning and independent study.

Key Topics

•Theatre studies.
•A Level Drama.
•IB Theatre.
•Undergraduate theatre courses.
•Stanislavski and Brecht.
•Contemporary theatre practitioners.
•Devising and improvisation.
•Directing and rehearsal techniques.
•Performance skills.
•Practical theatre exercises.

Reasons to Choose This Book by Nick O'Brien

•Fully updated Third Edition with new practitioners and contemporary theatre approaches.
•Designed specifically for A Level, IB, and university-level theatre students.
•Combines theoretical knowledge with practical performance exercises.
•Covers both classical and contemporary theatre practitioners.
•Includes exclusive insights from award-winning actress Indira Varma.
•Published by Routledge, one of the world's leading academic publishers.

Theatre in Practice: A Student's Handbook (Third Edition) is an essential resource for anyone studying or teaching theatre. Combining expert guidance, practical activities and comprehensive coverage of key theatre practitioners, it helps students develop both their academic understanding and practical performance skills, making it an indispensable companion throughout their theatre education.