Dance Books

If you are a ballet teacher, and aren't able to take master classes very often, this is a good book for you. The lessons sparked new choreography for me, and provided a different perspective to age/skill set; however, the lessons were also developed by a man whose job was to train ballet students to be professionals (age/skill set obviously varies when kids are studying ballet recreationally or for the joy of learning ballet). This book provides an opportunity to expand an adagio, petite allegro, or barre work.

I studied the Vaganova Method at ABT as a child and young adult. Now that I am teaching I like to use the book as a guideline, review and brush up on things I may be overlooking. When you are away from the classroom as an adult (or an older adult) it is necessary to keep trying to learn from others or resources. I highly recommend this book.

I love this book. As a new teacher, it has been invaluable in helping me to create the classes for my beginning students.

I'm a former dancer and a classical ballet teacher now. This book is a Ballet bible among my colleagues who teach classical ballet.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. I studied ballet for about twelve years when I was young and was asked to offer a ballet club in my school in the fall. This book lays out, class by class, how to train young dancers effectively. Included are photographs of correct positions and technique so even though my own is a little rusty I am able to show my students illustrations of what they will hope to achieve especially since my turn out has never been that great. I am happy to say that the class attracted boys as well as girls in my inner-city school and that a few of the children have convinced their parents to enroll them in a dance school due to their diligence and the interest they demonstrated in the ballet club.

This book is fantastic! I live in Australia but I'm going to be living and working (hopefully...) in New York in a couple of months.
The book includes sections on practically every aspect of life - from cheap food, medical care, and general merchandise, to hairdressing, public toilets, and internet service providers.
I would say this is one of the most useful books I have ever read, and I can definitely recommend it to anyone planning on making a move to New York City.
It is extremely easy to read and not at all like trawling through a guidebook. The sections are well organised and easily located in the table of contents. I particularly liked the book and music store 'reviews'.
It also felt as though it was written by a person that I would actually like in real life, and while this is not entirely relevant, it gave me even greater faith in the advice.
I feel a lot more confident about my trip now that I know where to go and what to expect as I attempt to set up house.
This has certainly relieved me (at least temporarily) from my increasingly frantic google searches.

Wile some of the info offered may be slightly out of date by the time a reader gets their hands on this book (addresses and phones can change, etc.) the wisdom and experience of the author comes through very well. Anyone who is headed for the Big Apple as an actor should read this book.

This book is good, but even better if you plan on living in Hell's Kitchen (midtown west). As the author refers to that area often. Overall, i liked it though. I'd say it helps speed up the process of getting comfortable living in the big city, not working, but LIVING.

Actor or not, this book is a huge help in finding the cheapest of everything in New York City. Listed by category, the author gives listings and phone numbers of the cheapest of it all. There are hints and tips on how to make it in New York on a budget, how to find a place to live, and even where public restrooms are available!

What a gold mine! This book isn't just for actors--it is a meticulously-researched, up-to-date and readable guide to living well in Manhattan without watching money flow through your fingers--it covers everything from haircuts and clothes to great deals at the opera. I'm recommending it to all newcomers, regardless of profession. If I had to find one small flaw, it's that I'm not quite confident about his recommendations for women, as--and he freely admits this--they rely on the judgment of his female friends, and the reader can't gauge whether these women share the author's ability to find the best, the least expensive and the most hard-to-find secrets of New York. Regardless, a minor detail in a worthwhile book.

David's book is a technical overview of the actor's technique and rehearsal repetoire. That being said, there is good reason to think that anyone who has an appreciation of drama, both in theatre and in life, may find his book illuminating. If we are actors on the stage of life, as the Bard has it, we may all of us improve our interpersonal communication style and develop a compassionate and listening ear by a creative reading of the ideas in this book. It is not too great a stretch to see a connections between the intensity of dramatic dialogue and the drama inherent in real life; furthermore, were one to see one's role in the drama as a creative interaction, a new freedom may be found in consciously choosing what role you wish to play, rather than allow others to cast you in a role of their choosing. From this one may extrapolate a sociological and psychological theory that can be empowering.
A book for more than the thespian, methinks.

What's interesting and inspiring about this book is that the methods Hlavsa presents are applicable not only to actors rehearsing but to every aspect of one's life. The book points the way to an actor finding his or her deepest self as they apply themselves to the trade of acting. Every profession needs a book that does this!

Actors can always benefit from insight into how best to utilize the limited time allowed for a rehearsal process and how to expand the comfort zone to do truly creative work. Hlavsa's book offers valuable insight and reminders. It is a helpful book for both actors and directors and especially useful for those actors who have spent most of their time studying and are at a loss as to how to work once cast.

Grace Zandarski
New York, New York

This book transforms my idea of what an actor is and does. I'm too old to start another career, but after reading Hlavsa's book I wish I could start over. His thoughtful discussions of, for instance, blocking and runthroughs, all new to me, and his witty discussion of the performance itself (rituals and superstitious behaviors by actors of note) made me want to share the camaraderie and selflessness of the actors and directors he describes (we've seen too many movies about cut-throat and selfish actions of stars and understudies). What an actor gives to his/her audience, and how it's sometimes helpful to regard the audience as adversarial to calm the nerves were notions I'd never considered. I wish I could start over as an actor--this book was an inspiration.

I've been dabbling in acting for almost 30 years and have been inspired by several of the great teaching books, including Keith Johnstone's "Impro," Jerzy Grotowski's "Toward a Poor Theatre," Eugenio Barba's "Beyond the Floating Islands," and works by Stanislawski and a handful of others. What makes all these books great is the writers' candid awareness that theatre, and acting, is a concentrated, distilled, focused projection of the most human of human life. All these writers speak to me, not because they're writing about acting, but because they are revealing something to me about myself.

"An Actor Rehearses" is destined to be counted in this elite company of books that become classics. Yes, this is an eminently practical book for any actor or director. (If I had read this in my 20's I might have been tempted to do more than just dabble.) But it is also a book for all of us who care to "rehearse" for the biggest performance of all - our own lives. I suspect it will be selling well a few decades from now.

"The Band Never Dances" is an excellent read told in the first person by Judy Valentine, a 16-year-old New York drummer in search of a band to write/play with. Her lyrics are quite moving, in particular "The Girl Inside the Girl," which was inspired by her older brother, Jeffrey, who killed himself three years ago after coining the expression "...the band only plays. It never dances," hence the title of this book and her band's debut CD and single.

Judy spends the duration of the story struggling over her brother's untimely death and trying to find some catharsis through her music and up-and-coming fame in her rock band Wedding Night. At the same time, a love triangle develops between her and one of her band mates (Mark the Music) and Nick Praetorious, the quintessential "bad boy" rock singer they tour with. How this hot-and-cold relationship draws out and concludes is quite satisfying for any romantic. Judy, especially, is a remarkable character--she's extremely bright and independent, and like in the book, other young women will want to be her.

This is one of the best contemporary young adult novels I've read in awhile. It's fast paced, touching and deep, and suitable for the slightly older teen crowd due to some mature themes. In fact, the book seemed to be written from a much older character's point of view than from a 16-year-old's. At times, I couldn't connect her age and actions together, but I loved this book regardless. Recommended.

A magnificient book, although tad childish and naive. The author weaves a beautiful tale of the protagonist Judy, a drummer who recovering fromt eh death ofher brother, is yearning to discover herself through her 'band'. SHe finds this band when she answers mysterious want ad. and meets Strobe, together they assemble this band...Irwin. Maddox and Mark the Music. The descirpitions that the author uses when describing music being made is painfully beautiful. His descriptions of Mark the Music playing the guitar are exceptionally beautiful....leads you to believe the author is a guitarist...The story is very tight and Judy's voyage of discovery, in the company of 'Wedding Night', the band, is told very well. The ending is beautiful...ANyone with music in their hearts will fall in love with this book.

This is one of the most wonderful books from my early adolescence I ever read...it can to me at just the time I needed it and that I will never forget. I felt just like the heroine of the book the whole time... her against the world in a desperate desire to simply make music and find out who she is. Read it...and give it to your teens...

The Band Never Dances is a beautifully written book that captures your heart and makes you become very involved with the characters. Being a musician myself, I fully understood what Judy was dealing with throughout her stuggle in the band, and many people have had tramatic expericences as well. All in all the book seemed to touch on every subject and a very realistic way.

Judy Valentine always hid from life behind her drums. It was always her dream to be part of a rock band, as well as her older brother's dying wish for her. Three years after her brother's suicide, Judy finds her band, Wedding Night. Opening for Nick Praetorious, the hottest act in the country, brings the band national attention and forces Judy at sixteen years old to deal with success, attention, and being idolized while still developing her own identity.

Chinese Handcuffs by Chris Crutcher tells the similar story of a teenage boy named Dillon who also loses his older brother to suicide. Dillon escapes his pain through triathalons, an extreme contrast to Judy's music writing and playing. Crutcher tends to write novels centered around sports because more young people can relate to sports analagies than they can to introspecitve song lyrics. For me, it was nice to read a young adult novel with a storyline that I could relate to rather than merely understand.

"You can give her all your money, till you're totally broke./ You can christen her with diamonds, You can sprinkle her with coke./ But you'll never have her and you'll never know her/ 'cause she's the girl, she's the girl inside the girl."(Pg. 36) Judy "wrote" this song,"The Girl Inside the Girl". Many other full song lyrics are included throughout the book so that one can truly hear the sounds of a Wedding Night concert as well as visualize it. One even begins to understand the rock and roll lifestlye through a teenager's eyes. Once seen from behind closed doors, a rock star's life loses it's luster and glamourous image. Yet, the passion never dies for the music, not for Judy Valentine.

This book was written for "young adults", so it might be a little below an older teen's reading level. However, the storyline is just so unique, I would still recommend it to any music lover.

I am a big fan of Cedar Point and this book tells the history all the way back to before the amusement era. The roller coaster capitol of the world started as a small amusement park with just a water slide and this book plots it's history through the beginning, the depression, the 50's and 60's all the way up to the 90's. It's so interesting to find out the history of some of the most popular amusement parks and this one is one of the best I've ever read.

I am a big fan of Cedar Point and this book tells the history all the way back to before the amusement era. The roller coaster capitol of the world started as a small amusement park with just a water slide and this book plots it's history through the beginning, the depression, the 50's and 60's all the way up to the 90's. It's so interesting to find out the history of some of the most popular amusement parks and this one is one of the best I've ever read.

I love Cedar Point so much and I thought I knew everything about Cedar Point until I read this book, it's the best book I've ever read!!!!!!!

This is a great book! If you have any interest in Cedar Point..BUY IT NOW!! Any CP buff should not be without it! It can tide you over the long 7 months from October to May! Buy it!

If you love Cedar Point, this book will give you everything that you should know to be a first class fan of the park. Dating back to the times of the geological formation of CP, to it's present fame, "The Queen of American Watering Places" is an indepth look at the good, bad, and amazing facts of CP that most people probably never knew. There are also some things that happened at CP that may shock you, but you must read this book to find them out for yourself.

This book is the follow up to "So, You are going to be a Dad?" from the same Author. ANd the first book was awesome, this b second one is also really funny and the sometimes sarcastic humor is just great !!
Enjoy !!

A great book! Mr. Downey entertains while delivering important, every-day advice to new dads. Dad's will laugh out loud and feel re-assured that they're not total failures at fatherhood. With his unpretentious writing style and unique brand of wit, Mr. Downey covers everything from baby's first steps to "permanent" birth control options, and he never fails to entertain. Dad's can only hope that Mr. Downey continues to share his thoughts and experiences through his children's pre-pubescent and teen years.

Finally, a down-to-Earth, no-holes-barred reference book for new Dads. No fancy terminology - just creative terminology. No detailed psychological analysis from a group of doctors who pride themselves on using 10-syllable words - just the blunt facts from an everyday-Dad's point of view. An extremely humorous, yet insightful view into Dadism.

A perfect follow-up to Downey's "So You're Gonna Be A Dad". I could only hope he continues his wizardry of words addressing prepubescent teenagers!!

As a 46 year old father of 2 young children, I have found this book to be very informative and very humorous(actually at times horrifying for fathers to be). The book could be classified as humorous horror for fathers. Peter Downey touches on all important aspects of childrearing in a down-to-earth, easy to read, practical, "lets get our hands dirty on this" fashion. Fathers with children will really identify with the problems discussed in this book. He doesn't shy away from touchy topics like sex, nudity in front of the children or physical discipline. He's obviously read the "professionals" on childrearing and his advice on how to deal with the many problems we dads encounter reflects this, but is also heavily flavoured with his own personal strategies developed on the frontlines of being a dad to 3 children himself. Of course, if you're a perfect dad, doing everything right or if you're not a dad you may want to read the book for it's humour, with which Peter is not stingy.

Downey's book is a must read for all dads, old and new to this game of parenting. I was the fortunate recipient of this book, and having read Downey's earlier book, "So You're Gonna Be A Dad," I knew immediately that Downey would deliver with hilarious material that would make a difference in raising my two daughters. I have not been disappointed.
One significant diifference between Downey's book and others is that his approach diminishes the anxiety that comes with being a dad. He lets you know that there's a lot of other guys going through the same things, and they're all doing just fine.
Perfect holiday gift--better yet, the PERFECT gift to give Dad when his son or daughter turns two. I give Downey's book, "Dads, Toddlers, and the Chicken Dance" the highest rating possible: *****.

Jessica and Bethel Mcoy are doing a project toggether in History class for a time capsule project and need a video camera, they dont know anyone who has one so they ask Lila. Lila agrees but says since it's her video camera she gets to be in the Movie- this get's Bethel Mad and Lila ends up breaking the relationship between Bethel and Jessica. Aat the same time she is dissing her friends at the new school! Will Lila make up wiith them? or will they not want to be friends ever agin? read this book to find out!!

This series is totaly to die for! Elizabeth and Jessica are to Califoinian teenagers who just want to have fun, well at least jessica does... Elizabeth and Jessica are two different people Jessica is a really outgoing kind of person who will get what ever she wants. Elizabeth is more of a quiet person who just goes along with what people are saying. In the begining of the series Jessica and Elizabeth get rezoned (moved) to a different school, they get transfered to sweet Valley Jr. High from Sweet Valley Middle School. Well then Elizabeth meets Salvador and they instantly have a "thing" for each other. While this is going on Elizabeth is having a really easy time making friends and jessica isn't. Then comes Blue later in the series who kind of messes things up..... in my opinion this is the best series of all of the SV books..... from SVJH to SHH to SHSY to SVMS SVU and sweet valley Kids i've read them all more than once! Happy Readings!

I read all of the Jr. High books and I think they are great! This one especially!! I was mad when Liz accepted Ronalds invitation because I wanted her to go with Blue, but it all makes sense in the end!!!

Dance Fever is a really, really good book! I thought it was really funny and the ending was really romantic! But I won't tell you what happened, you'll have to read it yourself. But I DID think that what Elizabeth did for Ronald was so awesome!! But what Ronald did to her was heart-breaking! Oh well read the book it was soooooooo good!!

This was definitely one of the best SVJH books. In this one, Elizabeth really, really wants to go with Blue. But one day, Jessica asks Elizabeth to get her homework from her locker. Elizabeth goes to Jessica's locker, and finds Jessica's dorky locker partner there! When he asks Elizabeth to the dance, she is so nice, she can't bear to say no. Meanwhile, Blue is contemplating whether he should ask Elizabeth to the dance, and if so, when. Finally, Blue calls Elizabeth, but she concludes that she must tell the truth, and she tells Blue about her date. Blue is terribly sad, but then Elizabeth and Blue make up a plan that will fix everything...

I got this book for my daughter when she was a baby. She's 2 1/2 now and still enjoys it. I probably like it more than she does. The pictures are just beautiful.

Wonderful Degas photos illustrate ballet beautifully, I wanted one of them for myself.

My daughter has enjoyed all of the books in this series since she was about a year old. They were the first baby board books we sought out by author after seeing how much she enjoyed the Matisse one. This one is her favorite lately; she loves to dance around the kitchen when we read it.

Fun story about dancing, illustrated by Degas classics. My near 3 yo daughter loves dance related stories and she simply adored this book on the first read, "pretty pictures daddy". A great way to introduce art to your child, I look forward to the other books.

I have four of Julie Merberg's books and this one isn't a disappointment. Her books are fabulous introductions to art for little ones. The pictures in this book are beautiful Degas paintings. My daughter loves looking at the dancers and listening to the flowing text that goes with the pictures. All of Merberg's books are worth the price if you want to begin introducing art to your little one.

This book is very interesting, part cookbook part Hollywood scandles.

Laurie Jacobson delves into some of Tinsletowns most interesting stories.
From the murder trial of Spade Cooley (who killed his second wife in the 1940's) to the untimly death of the orginal Edna Turnblat (Divine) Lauie Jacobson tells about the scandals and then shows a recipe connected to that person (After talking about Roman Polanski she shares a recipe for the nachos he at before fleeing to Europe during his rape trial.)

A very interesting book.

I had so much fun reading this book! The stories are great and Miss Jacobson clears up a lot of false Hollywood rumors. The best part about this book is that it includes chapters about some forgotten stars like Carole Landis, Dorothy Kilgallen, and Lupe Velez. Anyone who is a fan of classic Hollywood and loves juicy gossip will want this book.

I fortuitously fell into this little gem the day after xmas.....a belated "BEST" present to myself.
While I already own Jacobson's two other books and hold her in high regard, this book proves that she is only getting better as a film historian and writer.
She assumes a slick, quasi-cinema noir persona in her narrative and mixes in a Sandra Lee-like easy 'recipe' that takes a not too subtle slam at each of the scandals/stories she relates. The vanity of the 'dish' (aka scandal/tragedy/hard luck story) only enhances the general readability of this book. This is a novel approach that makes an already interesting product even more appealing. I kept thinking that the author did a terrific job with the material she was presenting.
Aside from the kidding around, this book is really rather fair and factual. The author knows her stuff and relies on knowledgeable sources to substantiate or refute claims made in the book.
My only criticism of this book is that I wish it had been longer and had covered some other stories that I find interesting and want to know more about. Hopefully there will be a follow-up to this book which will do that.
Anyway, this is a very good read and worth the $ and time spent reading it.

I love Laurie Jacobson's books and this one is the best yet!!! I love her "juicy little tidbits" about the stars of yesteryear. The stories are very entertaining and I love the fact that she also included recipes to match the stories. A very clever thing to do!!! It's almost like 2 books in one, a gossipy book and a cookbook! I hope she continues to research Hollywood and to write wonderful books about the stars!!!! My only complaint---it's not long enough!!! I am ready for a "Dishing Hollywood II".

I highly recommend Dishing Hollywood The Real Scoop on Tinseltown's Most Notorious Scandals. Laurie Jacobson really knows her stuff and serves up heaping portions of scandal and intrigue of Hollywood's most notorious stars. I have read all of the author's books and Dishing Hollywood is Jacobson at her best. Jacobson brilliantly spins tale after sordid tale, "sprinkles" famous film quotes throughout each chapter and "tops" off with a recipe of the star's favorite dish (or, in some cases, their last meal!). Dishing Hollywood is a tasty treat, and I can't wait for Jacobson's next book!

As a beginner in the world of theatre and stage combat, this book has helped me more than any other text out there. Anyone who hopes to stage a fight in ANY production should read this first AND THEN keep it around throughout rehearsals! Its insightful tips are like having someone there to help you along your way, keeping you focused on what is important : safe and effective dramatic storytelling through combat. Balancing level-headed practicality with clear artistic vision, it can be understood and enjoyed by any theatre practitioner. From the shop to the director's chair, it is a must have.

"Fight Directing" is a great resource for directors and acting teachers. When directors ask me about a combat resource I tell them to pick up this book and a copy of Swashbuckling.

Whether you are an experienced fight director or just getting started (I'd suggest a high level of proficiency in stage combat first), fight master J. Allen Suddeth's book is packed with useful, practical, and creative information on directing stage combat sequences. Best of all, he offers numerous approaches to comabt choreography and encourages the reader discover what works best for him/herself. Directors should also be encouraged to read this, as it will assist in the collaborative process between director and fight director. Incredibly useful and absolutely necessary!

I bought Mr. Suddeth's book a year or so ago simply looking for some pointers on choreographing a fight. What I found was an invaluable guide to directing, not just a fight, but the entire scene in which it was contained. I also found that FDftT had much to offer for experienced fight directors and novice stage combatants alike. The language was clear, the writing engaging and the content comprehensive. The issues addressed in this book transcend the mere basics of staged violence and focus instead on the scene and its integral relationship with the fight. If you are looking to "brush-up" on stage combat technique I would suggest that you get out and enroll in a stage combat class, not try to hone a hard earned skill by reading a book. If you are looking for insights on how to go about safely and effeciently directing a scene or play that contains staged violence, put up your feet, relax and open Fight Directing for the Theatre by J. Allen Suddeth.

This book is an excellent guide to what the Society of American Fight Directors preach--Safety! Fight Master Suddeth details the many traps and common practices that put actors in harms way, then shows us the safe alternatives. It is a guide that should be kept in every theater as a reference for actors, stage managers, directors, etc. It doesn't pretend to teach you how to direct fights--this only comes with intense training--but rather teach you how to protect yourself and fellow artists. Included are details of weaponry and how to maintain them, tips, pointers, tricks, etc.

With decades of experience under his belt, this book is an extremely valuable tool if you are participating in any form of staged violence. Don't leave your safety to trial & error.