The persuasive actor: rhetorical power on the contemporary stage
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This book by Milan Dragicevich, slated for publication in March 2019 by the Hackett Publishing Company, is a bold and innovative approach to contemporary actor training. By adapting the classical principles of rhetoric, today’s actor learns to send a powerful vocal “charge” into the act of speaking, strengthening expressivity and range, vocal bravery and command. The book seeks to rediscover the lost art of persuasive speaking, ultimately transforming an actor’s relationship to language, from Shakespeare to Stoppard, from Shaw to Hip-Hop Theater, igniting a spark that will create a more evocative, courageous, and thrilling performance.
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Testimonials for The Persuasive Actor
"No book can teach anyone how to speak, but the lessons herein, practically applied, will help everyone who reads it become a better actor, speaker, and communicator. This is an exciting, invigorating book which will be required reading for all my acting students. I predict it will become a celebrated text of great worth to educators and students." —Murray McGibbon, Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance, Indiana University, Bloomington
"A must-have for all actors who encounter speeches that are longer than three sentences. On the surface, that would be classic works from Sophocles through Shakespeare—with the 17th and 18th centuries thrown in. Dig deeper and the book’s value to actors of modern and contemporary drama is inescapable. Ibsen, Shaw, Williams, Miller, Shepard, Wilson, Kushner, and Suzan-Lori Parks all wrote plays that are filled with powerful rhetorical devices that demand lively, thorough, and specific consideration. This book is a guide that unfolds the mysteries of classical rhetoric in a clear, concise, and effective manner, a book for speakers who want to move their audiences. It is aimed at actors, but also belongs on the shelf of lawyers, advertising copywriters, and, of course, public officials. I will use it in my classes and workshops and enthusiastically recommended it to all actors and actor trainers." --Leslie Reidel, Department of Theatre, University of Delaware
"Milan Dragicevich is a godsend to the American theatre. In his new book for actors, The Persuasive Actor, he eloquently articulates with brilliant clarity the tools every serious actor needs to become a master of his craft. I rejoice in Milan’s vision. I wish it had been part of my own training. It will invigorate and inspire the American actor to new heights." --Apollo Dukakis, actor, director, teacher, and Resident Artist with the acclaimed A Noise Within Theater Company of Los Angeles
"In a time when language seems to be shrinking, this book is a must-read for all actors. Milan’s enthusiasm for language is positively infectious. He is the Mick Jagger of classical rhetoric!”
--Susan Angelo, actress, director
“An essential new manual for actors, poets, singers and public speakers.”
--Yannis Simonides, Artistic Director, Elliniko Theatro of New York and Athens
Testimonials for The Persuasive Actor
"No book can teach anyone how to speak, but the lessons herein, practically applied, will help everyone who reads it become a better actor, speaker, and communicator. This is an exciting, invigorating book which will be required reading for all my acting students. I predict it will become a celebrated text of great worth to educators and students." —Murray McGibbon, Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance, Indiana University, Bloomington
"A must-have for all actors who encounter speeches that are longer than three sentences. On the surface, that would be classic works from Sophocles through Shakespeare—with the 17th and 18th centuries thrown in. Dig deeper and the book’s value to actors of modern and contemporary drama is inescapable. Ibsen, Shaw, Williams, Miller, Shepard, Wilson, Kushner, and Suzan-Lori Parks all wrote plays that are filled with powerful rhetorical devices that demand lively, thorough, and specific consideration. This book is a guide that unfolds the mysteries of classical rhetoric in a clear, concise, and effective manner, a book for speakers who want to move their audiences. It is aimed at actors, but also belongs on the shelf of lawyers, advertising copywriters, and, of course, public officials. I will use it in my classes and workshops and enthusiastically recommended it to all actors and actor trainers." --Leslie Reidel, Department of Theatre, University of Delaware
"Milan Dragicevich is a godsend to the American theatre. In his new book for actors, The Persuasive Actor, he eloquently articulates with brilliant clarity the tools every serious actor needs to become a master of his craft. I rejoice in Milan’s vision. I wish it had been part of my own training. It will invigorate and inspire the American actor to new heights." --Apollo Dukakis, actor, director, teacher, and Resident Artist with the acclaimed A Noise Within Theater Company of Los Angeles
"In a time when language seems to be shrinking, this book is a must-read for all actors. Milan’s enthusiasm for language is positively infectious. He is the Mick Jagger of classical rhetoric!”
--Susan Angelo, actress, director
“An essential new manual for actors, poets, singers and public speakers.”
--Yannis Simonides, Artistic Director, Elliniko Theatro of New York and Athens