Acting with Passion
Coming early 2015!
“A frighteningly simple superhighway into an actor’s well of creativity and passion.”
Pre-order from Barnes and Noble, or Amazon.com, or Bloomsbury Publishing
Acting with Passion is one of the most popular workshops at the Actors Centre. Actors rave about it. This book explains ‘why’ in lively detail.
From the book jacket:
Based on the latest research from the fields of neuroscience and mind body psychology, Acting With Passion offers a revolutionary new approach to the age-old problems of the actor: dealing with nerves, engaging the body, quieting the inner critic, auditioning, creating a character, and even playing comedy.
With this step-by-step guide, actors who have struggled with ‘visualization’ and ‘emotional recall’ can learn an alternative method of accessing feelings through the release of chronic, subtle muscular tensions that connect into the brain at lightning fast speed and can actually produce emotions on cue.
Written with verve and accessibility, and using practical exercises to guide the actor through each stage, Acting With Passion is the must-have text for actors seeking that magical ‘state of aliveness’.
“Niki has changed me profoundly as an actor.”
"To my mind, our burgeoning understanding of embodied cognition and its potential application in 21st century actor training is one of the key developments in our approach to the work. Whilst I personally resist her demonizing of the intellect, that caveat is outweighed by the multitude of perceptive observations and iconoclastic suggestions that chime, surprise and invigorate: from memorization, to “style”, to character. The delightful mix of inspired pragmatism and no-nonsense speculation in Niki Flacks' book will not only be solidly useful for any actor, but will stimulate that voracious curiosity which is the lifeblood of a fulfilling life in our business."
Mark Wing-Davey, Chair, Graduate Acting Program, Tisch School Of the Arts, NYU, Member of the Emotional Brain Institute, NY, NY
"Niki’s work is one of the single best things I’ve learnt as an actor.
The freedom it gives me is something I’ve never found in traditional actor training—bypassing my head and responding on an impulsive, visceral level.
I’m thrilled this clear, concise book is now available for more actors to be exposed to her wonderful work."
Matt Minto, Australian/New Zealand Television, Shortland Street, Blue Rose, Home and Away
"Acting with Passion offers a wonderful invitation to enter the exhilarating world of Niki Flacks' acting workshops dropping in for useful practical exercises, profound insights and experienced advice on the craft of acting."
Niamh Dowling, Head of School,
Rose Bruford College, UK
"This book is for actors of all ages—those who are in training programs and those who have finished training. And for teachers who are trying to help people use theatre to give voice to their hopes and dreams, their anger and their fears."
Dr. Charley Helfert, Former Associate Dean, Meadows School of the Arts, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
"Beg or borrow to be Flacksed and to buy this book when it comes on the market."
Prue Gillet, PhD