“Finally, a truly comprehensive, concise, unpretentious and utterly accessible tool for novice and experienced performers.  Like all inspired teachers, Mr. Howey makes demands on his readers and encourages real participation in the process.”

Tony Shalhoub
Star of Monk – Winner of Three Emmy Awards, Screen Actors Guild Award, and Golden Globe Award, for Best Male Actor in a Television Series.

“The Actor’s Menu by Bill Howey is one of the latest and best to pick from.” [read review]

Stephen Peithman
Editor – Stage Directions Magazine

“Howey presents a no-nonsense reconstruction of that often misunderstood concept: character. ” [read review]

Jean Schiffman
Back Stage West

About The Actor's Menu

An acting workshop based on a unique culinary-pastiche approach

What actors say about The Actor’s Menu and Bill Howey

“This book is a fresh, needed voice and perspective for actors at any level. The Actor’s Menu is a must read for any actor.”—Bob Corff, Hollywood voice coach and actor

“I would not be on the Reba show if it wasn’t for the training I got from Bill Howey. If you want to be the best actor you can be, read The Actor’s Menu.”—Steve Howey, “Van Montgomery” on Reba, guest star on ER and The Drew Carey Show

Whether new to the business or a seasoned professional, this handbook provides actors with a personal, active approach to discovering and developing their talent. Beginning with appetizers and ending with desserts, actors learn how to prepare a character in the same way that a master chef chooses the most complementary dishes for a feast.

From typecasting to reinventing a character’s story, actors discover the key ingredients that will enable them to use their own unique qualities and emotions to develop strong, believable characters that people are interested in watching. How to identify and resolve problems such as hidden agendas that can disable an actor’s work; distinguish between perception, feeling, and emotions; and find lasting sources of inspiration are among the issues explored. The importance of imagination, words, and story as well as the difference between intellectual and visceral choices (and the impact of each) are also discussed.

Bill Howey has taught and coached acting for more than 25 years. He has appeared as an actor on the soap opera, The Young and the Restless and has worked as a dialogue/acting coach for the television series A Family for Joe, with Robert Mitchum, and Charlie Hoover, with Sam Kinison. He is a trainer and consultant to executives, managers, and public speakers. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

Now available from book stores and this site. Distributed by IPG.