• A Challenge for the Actor

  • By: Uta Hagen
  • Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat
  • Length: 15 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (33 ratings)

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A Challenge for the Actor  By  cover art

A Challenge for the Actor

By: Uta Hagen
Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat
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Publisher's summary

Uta Hagen, one of the world's most renowned stage actresses, also taught acting for more than 40 years at the HB Studio in New York. Her first book, Respect for Acting, published in 1973, remains a best seller in print. In this brand new audio edition of her second classic book, A Challenge for the Actor, she greatly expands her thinking about acting in a work that brings the full flowering of her artistry, both as an actor and as a teacher. She raises the issue of the actor's goals and examines the specifics of the actor's techniques. She goes on to consider the actor's relationship to the physical and psychological senses. There is a brilliantly conceived section on the animation of the body and mind, of listening and talking, and the concept of expectation.

But perhaps the most useful sections in this audiobook are the exercises that Uta Hagen has created and elaborated to help the actor learn his craft. The exercises deal with developing the actor's physical destination in a role; making changes in the self serviceable in the creation of a character; recreating physical sensations; bringing the outdoors on stage; finding occupation while waiting; talking to oneself and the audience; and employing historical imagination.

The scope and range of Uta Hagen here is extraordinary. Her years of acting and teaching have made her as finely seasoned an artist as the theatre has produced. This audiobook is masterfully read by award-winning narrator and actor Barbara Rosenblat.

Audio publisher's note: This audiobook has been reedited in response to listener feedback. Listeners who have already purchased the audiobook may access the revised recording by deleting the audiobook and redownloading it to their devices. For assistance, please contact echopointaudio@gmail.com.

©1991 Uta Hagen (P)2020 Echo Point Books & Media, LLC

What listeners say about A Challenge for the Actor

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A must read book for actors

This audiobook reveals how vital Uta’s teaching is for actors. Unfortunately it also reveals his vital proper editing is for audiobooks.

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  • TC
  • 04-14-21

Loved it!

A really interesting a useful listen! And I loved the narrator - very well read

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great audiobook

Must-listen for all actors! I agree wholeheartedly with the other reviews-- not sure why that one person's star rating is so low though, as it seems like the reviewer loved the audiobook. Such a great audiobook, and narrated amazingly by Barbara Rosenblat.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book!

Super interesting -- for an actor and an aspiring director.
Her work in the theater will live for a very long time and inspire generations of actors.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Enlightening

This is a must read for all the actors wannabes or established. There is heaps of valuable insights and practical advices for those who want pursuit the art of Acting. And the narrator Barbara Rosenblat is just incredible, now onwards she will be the voice of Uta Hagen in my ears, forever,!

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Not what I expected

Struggled to finish, narration made me sleepy, not helpful for an actor I feel.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

SO. MUCH. FLUFF.

It feels like there's no substance to this book at all--it's just like an autobiography of her life with loose, abstract references to acting I find utterly inapplicable. I'm going to try to return this title asap.

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