A Challenge for the Actor

By: Uta Hagen

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Length: 15 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's Summary

Theoretically, the actor ought to be more sound in mind and body than other people, since he learns to understand the psychological problems of human beings when putting his own passions, his loves, fears, and rages to work in the service of the characters he plays. He will learn to face himself, to hide nothing from himself - and to do so takes an insatiable curiosity about the human condition.

- From the Prologue

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.

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

Great Book, Great narration, terrible editing

I loved everything about this book. With the very big exception of editing. The narrator starts and stops and repeats lines. The audio editor needs to remove these. I can't believe this got by quality control. At one point the narrator stops, smacks her lips, clears her throat and starts her line again. That's absolutely ridiculous that this wasn't edited out. I'm seriously dumbfounded how this happened. Extremely disappointing because this narrator and this book deserved better.

Be better audio editor.

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.

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.

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,!

Not what I expected

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

Loved it!

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