Frequently Asked Questions

Why is your book called The Actor’s Menu?

The name states my concept that actors must develop a catalog of compelling personal options in order to create a moving character and a successful career. It is through developing a menu that actors discover and develop their innate talent.

When will The Actor’s Menu be available?

The Actor’s Menu is now available via the Secure Order Form on this website, through bookstores nationwide, and elsewhere.

How is The Actor’s Menu different from other acting books?

The Actor’s Menu is like an acting workshop in a book. First, it directs the actors’ attention to themselves with a series of questions that should be answered in a good acting workshop. The Actor’s Menu also defines emotions and presents levels of these emotions for that actor to expand upon. Along with indicating acting problems not addressed in other books, The Actor’s Menu guides an actor on a journey of discovery that results in an actor creating their own menu of potent acting choices.

Is the information really current?

Actually, workable acting information never goes out of date. But the information in The Actor’s Menu is current because the book requires that an actor is always updating and developing the content of their menu from the feedback they receive.

Does this book have recipes to become a better actor?

The Actor’s Menu is the recipe to create a personal menu called The Acting Menu. This menu is specific for each individual actor because it is compiled from each actor’s unique acting ingredients.

You specify ingredients, what are these?

When I talk of ingredients I’m referring to an actor’s personal qualities – all of them. I’m intending actors to think of preparing a character as a chef would prepare a special gourmet entree. A chef will choose from the ingredients the chef knows will create the desired effect on the diners. An actor chooses ingredients from his or her own emotions, experiences and imagination, for example. These are just some of the ingredients an actor uses to create a complete and potent character.

In preparing a character do you include your own personality?

It is inevitable that an actor’s personality is included in every character they portray. Because an actor can’t access or become another personality they must bring every element of their own personality to a character. Since a personality has many elements, it must be separated into specific ingredients.

Could acting be summed up as “The Menu Style?”

I hope that phrase catches on, because good acting is just that – a menu style of acting comprised of potent acting choices. That should become the only acting style.

Is The Actor’s Menu better suited for stage or film?

The Actor’s Menu is suited for both stage and film. Since good acting is good acting, the adjustments for stage or film do not enhance or detract from powerful acting. Good actors are effective whether on stage or in film. The Actor’s Menu results in dynamic acting.

Is The Actor’s Menu for new or more experienced actors?

Any actor can benefit from working with The Actor’s Menu. New actors need a workable personal foundation to build on. Experienced actors can always use a way to open up and develop more of their acting elements.

How does this book explore acting?

The exploration is done through each actor’s own attitudes, emotions and behaviors.

What is the Menu and how will an actor know what to choose?

The important menu is the final menu, this is the actor’s own acting menu. An actor creates this menu based, in part, on the honest response of an audience and from his or her own personal choices. Actors will know which choice to make because that will be the ingredient that will best tell the story in the script and makes an impression on the audience, in a workshop or a casting session.

How can The Actor’s Menu help an actor?

One way The Actor’s Menu assists is by guiding actors to make personal acting choices. The very best acting is from actors who are personal in their character choices. Another way an actor is helped is that actors construct their own acting menu from their own ingredients. These ingredients are what the actor thinks and feels, their emotions and ideas- quirks and attitudes. Opening these up is the help any actor will need.

Where can someone get a copy of The Actor’s Menu?

The Actor’s Menu is now available in bookstores and from this site. The Actor’s Menu is distributed by IPG