Play Readings: A Complete Guide for Theatre Practitioners demystifies the standards and protocols of a play reading, demonstrating how to create effective and evocative readings for those new to or inexperienced with the genre. It examines all of the essential considerations involved in readings, including the use of the venue, pre-reading preparations, playwright/director communication, editing/adapting stage directions, casting, using the limited rehearsal time effectively, simple "staging" suggestions, working with actors, handling complex stage directions, talkbacks, and limiting the use of props, costumes, and music. A variety of readings are covered, including readings of musicals, operas, and period plays, for comprehensive coverage of this increasingly prevalent production form.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CREDITS
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
PART ONE: BEFORE REHEARSALS
CHAPTER ONE: GOING PUBLIC
CHAPTER TWO: THE PRELIMINARIES
CHAPTER THREE: TIME RESTRICTIONS
CHAPTER FOUR: CASTING
CHAPTER FIVE: MODEL FOR A PLAY READING
CHAPTER SIX: STAGE DIRECTIONS
PART TWO: REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE
CHAPTER SEVEN: BEFORE REHEARSAL BEGINS
CHAPTER EIGHT Movement, Gestures and Adapting Stage Directions in Rehearsal
CHAPTER NINE: EDITING AND MOVEMENT FOR CHALLENGING TEXT AND STAGE DIRECTIONS
CHAPTER TEN: REVIEW AND TECH
CHAPTER ELEVEN: ACTING IN A PLAY READING
CHAPTER TWELVE: DEVELOPMENT AND PRESENTATION
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: DEVELOPING NEW MUSICALS AND OPERAS
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: NON-DEVELOPMENTAL READINGS
PART THREE: AFTER THE READING
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: AUDIENCES AND TALKBACKS
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: THE FOLLOW-UP
EPILOGUE: MOVING FORWARD
Appendix A – For Emerging Artists
Appendix B – Unions and Guilds
Appendix C – Selections, Cuttings and Excerpts
Appendix D – A Playwright’s Responses: E. Rey Patmatat
Appendix E – Advice from a Casting Director: Tom Rowan
Appendix F – International Readings: Horacio Perez
INDEX
Biography
Rob Urbinati is a freelance director and playwright based in New York City, and Director of New Play Development at Queens Theatre. In New York, he has directed for Pearl Theater, The Public Theater, Classic Stage Company, York Theatre, The Culture Project, Abingdon Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Cherry Lane Theatre and New York University. He has also directed at theatres and universities across the country. Rob's plays include "Hazelwood Jr. High," "West Moon Street" and "Death By Design," published by Samuel French. "Rebel Voices," "Cole Porter's Nymph Errant" and "The Queen Bees" will also be published by Samuel French. Other plays include "UMW," "Karaoke Night at the Suicide Shack" and "Mama's Boy." His plays have received over 100 productions world-wide. Rob is an alumnus of the Drama League Directors Project and the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab.
