Book
Recommendations

The importance of play in humans and animals alike. What it can do for you, different types of play, and how you can add more to your life.

I’ve read a lot about emotions and this book offered a completely alternative perspective. Essentially, emotions are constructed in the moment and not a fixed concept stored in the brain and universal to everyone. There were several ideas in this book that were incredibly insightful in how humans function in connection to our emotions.

Wow. This book blew my mind. In terms of understanding senses and how animals perceive the world there is a wealth of information in this book.

Ideas from this book have stuck with me since reading it quite a few years ago. The core idea is exploring the balance between selfishness and altruism how that plays out in society

I'm not sure how much I agree with the authors central argument that society has ultimately been shaped by play and novel ideas. Either way, this is a trove of historical ideas, inventions, and discoveries that certainly played their part. For instance, pepper corns were once so prized that they were the entire dowry of at least one noble's daughter.

It’s difficult to pick one cocktail book, but if you want to learn about cocktails a good book will give you context for how the drinks relate to each other and not just be a list of drinks. This book does a decent job of doing that. My advice though would be to stick to what it has to say about the classics and not worry too much about their own recipes that often have obscure ingredients.

Patsy Rodenburg has worked with a lot of voices and not just actors. So many people, for one reason or another, have difficulty using their voice with freedom. There is often psychological factors that get locked in the body and mind. Patsy Rodenburg is sensitive, practical and thorough in her guidance. I think this book would be a great help to many people who feel inhibited when speaking.

If I were beginning my journey with drawing this is the book I would want. It explains more or less everything anyone needs to know to gain a good grasp on what to work on. It is a practical book, with exercises, and that is what is needed with drawing.

I think Joseph Papp just about achieved the impossible. He had a mission: Shakespeare should be free for everyone. He stuck to his guns even when he was pressured to charge a dollar. Which may sound a reasonable ask, but he saw that as undermining his whole purpose. This is a great oral history of Joseph Papp, The Public Theater, and Shakespeare in the Park. Joe even gave a salary to a young David Rabe because he believed in him and felt good artists should be funded.

I loved this because it captured so much of what the reality of Shakespeare’s life might have felt like.

A book that practically teaches Tectonic’s way of creating theater. A technique that lead to The Laramie Project and I Am My Own Wife. The core idea is to play with the moment and work toward a theatrical idea.

Such a powerful book packed with excellent analysis on master works of Russian short story literature. George Saunders seems to leave no stone unturned. A great book for writers or anyone who enjoys reading deeply.

Undoubtedly a hefty volume, but so many great essays. I loved the range of voices, thoughts, and perspectives. An incredibly nourishing read.

Every actor interested in the craft should know Demidov. This is the translation of his life’s work.