Acting and Singing With Archetypes

The Mother, the Lover, the Trickster, the Spiritual and Temporal Leader, the Devil-these are just some of the universal essences, known as archetypes, that lie deep within the human spirit; these are forces that we all recognize and embody in some capacity. Acting and Singing with Archetypes is a groundbreaking, experiential book that uses archetypes as the basis of an unprecedented method of study for actors and singers. By using fifteen archetype explorations that employ vocal exercises, mask making, monologue and scene work, breathing exercises, role playing, storytelling, singing, meditation, self-reflection, and more, this book empowers actors to interpret character and voice in exciting, untraditional ways. The explorations ultimately leave performing artists with the tools they need to develop their theatrical roles to the fullest, utilize their singing and speech abilities with the widest range of emotion, and unlock their overall creative potential. The book also reinforces the importance of breathing, relaxing, stretching, and other physical techniques that enable healthy practice of the craft. Geared toward theatre teachers, directors, and theatre workshop leaders, this is an incredible teaching tool, accompanied by a CD of demonstrative recordings of vocal exercises and other guiding content sung and spoken by authors Janet B. Rodgers and Frankie Armstrong. Book jacket.

Janet B. Rodgers is a past president of VASTA, the Voice and Speech Trainers Association. Rodgers earned her BA in theatre at Mount Holyoke College and her MFA in theatre from Brandeis University. She has taught in both the United States and Europe and is currently professor of theatre and director of the graduate MFA program in voice and speech pedagogy at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. She is editor of The Complete Voice and Speech Workout (Applause Books) and has written for American Theatre. Frankie Armstrong has been singing professionally since 1964. In 1975 she began her pioneering voice workshops based on ethnic styles of singing. She has sung and run workshops all over Europe as well as in North America and Australia, working with community groups, with theatre companies, and in every kind of setting from hospitals to the National Theatre Studio in London. She has made ten solo albums; written her autobiography. As Far as the Bye Can Sing; and edited, with Jenny Pearson, a collection of essays entitled Well-Tuned Women. For more information, see www.frankiearmstrong.com.