Voiceover Library

Recommended reading for Actors and Voice Artists

A rich and diverse library of resources for actors, voice actors, and those interested in the art of voice and speech.

These books live in my recording environment and double up as a great acoustic diffuser alongside some of my handmade books.

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A Challenge for the Actor: Uta Hagen

Uta Hagen, a renowned stage actress and teacher, delves deeper into the craft of acting in her second book, "A Challenge for the Actor." Building upon her earlier work, "Respect for Acting," Hagen explores the actor's goals, techniques, and relationship with the physical and psychological senses. She introduces exercises to develop physicality, characterization, and sensory awareness, providing a comprehensive guide for actors seeking to refine their skills and delve into the depths of their craft.

A Practical Handbook for the Actor: M. Bruder, et al

M. Bruder's "A Practical Handbook for the Actor" offers a foundational guide for aspiring actors. It covers essential techniques like voice, movement, and improvisation, providing exercises and insights. However, its reliance on concepts from Stanislavski and Meisner without proper attribution raises concerns about originality. While helpful for beginners, it lacks depth in character development and scene work, potentially limiting its long-term value for serious actors.

Actions, The Actor's Thesarus: Marina Caldarone, Maggie Lloyd-Williams

Actions: The Actor's Thesaurus by Marina Caldarone and Maggie Lloyd-Williams offers a comprehensive resource for actors seeking to expand their acting vocabulary and enhance their performance skills. This invaluable tool provides a vast array of physical and emotional actions, along with practical exercises to help actors delve deeper into their characters and create more authentic and compelling performances.

An Actor Prepares: Constantin Stanislavski

Stanislavski's "An Actor Prepares" is a foundational text in acting theory. He outlines his method, emphasizing psychological realism and emotional truth. The book delves into techniques like relaxation, concentration, and imagination, guiding actors to connect deeply with their characters and create authentic performances. It remains a cornerstone for actors seeking to understand the intricacies of their craft.

An Actor's Handbook, Constantin Stanislavski

Stanislavski's "An Actor's Handbook" provides a practical guide to his acting method. It delves into techniques like relaxation, concentration, and imagination, offering exercises to help actors develop their skills. The book also explores the importance of physical action and emotional truth, emphasizing the need for actors to connect deeply with their characters and create authentic performances.

Building a Character: Constantin Stanislavski

Stanislavski's "Building a Character" provides a comprehensive exploration of character development. He delves into the importance of understanding a character's psychology, physicality, and social context. The book offers practical exercises to help actors create multi-dimensional characters, including techniques for developing character biographies, analyzing scripts, and improvising scenes.

Creating a Role: Constantin Stanislavski

Stanislavski's "Creating a Role" delves into the process of bringing a character to life. He emphasizes the importance of understanding a character's inner life, physicality, and social context. The book provides practical exercises to help actors develop their characters, including techniques for analyzing scripts, improvising scenes, and working with other actors.

Finding Your Voice: Barbara Houseman

Barbara Houseman's "Finding Your Voice" is a comprehensive guide for actors seeking to improve their vocal skills. This practical book offers a step-by-step approach to voice training, covering topics such as breath control, vocal projection, and diction. With clear explanations and effective exercises, Houseman empowers actors to develop a powerful and expressive voice, enhancing their performance abilities.

How to do Accents: Edda Sharpe, Jan Haydn-Rowles

"How to Do Accents" by Edda Sharpe and Jan Haydn-Rowles is a comprehensive guide for actors seeking to master the art of accent work. It provides a systematic approach to learning and performing accents, covering a wide range of dialects and languages. With practical exercises and clear explanations, this book empowers actors to develop authentic and convincing accents, enhancing their versatility and performance skills.

How to do Standard English Accents: Edda Sharpe, Jan Haydn-Rowles

"How to Do Standard English Accents" by Edda Sharpe and Jan Haydn-Rowles provides a comprehensive guide for actors seeking to master the nuances of various Standard English accents. The book explores regional variations, social class distinctions, and historical influences on speech patterns. With practical exercises and clear explanations, actors can develop authentic and nuanced accents, enhancing their versatility and performance skills.

Respect for Acting: Uta Hagen

Uta Hagen's "Respect for Acting" is a foundational text for aspiring actors. It explores the core principles of acting, including imagination, emotional truth, and physical expression. Hagen emphasizes the importance of discipline, dedication, and a deep understanding of the craft. This book serves as a valuable guide for actors seeking to develop their skills and achieve artistic excellence.

Sanford Meisner on Acting, Sanford Mesner and Dennis Longwell

"Sanford Meisner on Acting" offers a deep dive into Meisner's influential acting technique. ¹ It emphasizes truthful, instinctive acting through repetitive exercises that foster emotional responsiveness and authentic behavior. ² The book provides valuable insights and practical guidance for actors seeking to develop their craft. 

Tackling Text [and Subtext]: Barbara Houseman

Barbara Houseman's "Tackling Text [and Subtext]" is a comprehensive guide for actors seeking to master the art of text analysis. It delves into the importance of understanding the subtext, exploring techniques for uncovering hidden meanings and intentions. With practical exercises and insightful analysis, Houseman empowers actors to bring depth and nuance to their performances, elevating their craft.

The Actor and the Text: Cicely Berry

Cicely Berry's "The Actor and the Text" is a seminal work on text analysis and interpretation for actors. She explores the importance of understanding the playwright's intentions, the historical and cultural context of the play, and the specific demands of the character. Berry's insights and practical exercises empower actors to delve deeply into the text and create compelling performances.

The Actor Speaks: Patsy Rodenburg

Patsy Rodenburg's "The Actor Speaks" is a comprehensive guide to voice and speech for actors. It explores techniques for breath control, vocal projection, and diction, emphasizing the importance of a strong and expressive voice. With practical exercises and insightful advice, Rodenburg empowers actors to develop their vocal skills and deliver powerful performances.

The Actor's Art and Craft: William Esper, Damon DiMarco

William Esper and Damon DiMarco's "The Actor's Art and Craft" provides a comprehensive guide to the Esper technique, a method focused on developing authentic and instinctive acting skills. The book delves into techniques like sensory recall, emotional memory, and improvisation, empowering actors to connect deeply with their characters and create compelling performances.

The Alchemy of Voice: Stewart Pearce

Stewart Pearce's "The Alchemy of Voice" explores the transformative power of the human voice. It delves into the physiological, psychological, and spiritual aspects of vocal expression, offering practical techniques for developing vocal presence, authenticity, and charisma. The book empowers individuals to harness the full potential of their voice, enhancing communication, leadership, and personal growth.

The Art of Acting: Stella Adler

Stella Adler's "The Art of Acting" is a foundational text for aspiring actors. It explores the core principles of acting, including imagination, emotional truth, and physical expression. Adler emphasizes the importance of observing the world, understanding the text, and connecting with the character's actions and objectives. This book serves as a valuable guide for actors seeking to develop their skills and achieve artistic excellence.

The Art of Voice Acting: James R. Alburger

James R. Alburger's "The Art of Voice Acting" is a comprehensive guide for aspiring voice actors. It covers essential techniques like vocal production, characterization, and script analysis. Alburger provides practical exercises and industry insights, empowering voice actors to develop their skills and succeed in the competitive world of voiceover.

The Michael Chekhov Handbook for the Actor: Lenard Petit

Lenard Petit's "The Michael Chekhov Handbook for the Actor" offers a comprehensive guide to Chekhov's acting technique. It explores the importance of psychological gesture, physical action, and imagination. The book provides practical exercises and insights, empowering actors to develop their creativity, authenticity, and expressive range.

The Need for Words: Patsy Rodenburg

Patsy Rodenburg's "The Need for Words" is a comprehensive exploration of the power of language in performance. She delves into the importance of clear articulation, vocal projection, and expressive speech. Rodenburg provides practical exercises and insightful advice, empowering actors to use their voices effectively and deliver powerful performances.

The Power of Voice: Denise Woods

Denise Woods' "The Power of Voice" is a comprehensive guide to unlocking the potential of your voice. Drawing on her experience as a renowned vocal coach to Hollywood stars, Woods shares practical techniques and exercises to improve breath control, vocal projection, and diction. By understanding the psychology of voice, actors and public speakers can enhance their communication skills, build confidence, and deliver powerful performances.

The Right to Speak: Patsy Rodenburg

Patsy Rodenburg's "The Right to Speak" explores the transformative power of voice and speech. She delves into the importance of clear articulation, vocal projection, and expressive language. Rodenburg provides practical exercises and insightful advice, empowering individuals to use their voices effectively, build confidence, and communicate with impact.

The Voice Exercise Book: Jeannette Nelson

Jeannette Nelson's "The Voice Exercise Book" is a practical guide for actors and anyone seeking to improve their vocal skills. It offers a range of exercises to enhance breath control, vocal projection, and diction. With clear explanations and helpful illustrations, this book empowers individuals to develop a strong and expressive voice.

This is a Voice: Jeremy Fisher and Gillyanne Kayes

Jeremy Fisher and Gillyanne Kayes' "This is a Voice" is a comprehensive guide to voice and speech for actors. It explores techniques for breath control, vocal projection, and diction, emphasizing the importance of a strong and expressive voice. With practical exercises and insightful advice, this book empowers actors to develop their vocal skills and deliver powerful performances.

To the Actor, on the Technique of Acting: Michael Chekhov

Michael Chekhov's "To the Actor" is a foundational text in acting technique. It explores the importance of psychological gesture, physical action, and imagination. Chekhov emphasizes the need for actors to connect deeply with their characters and create authentic performances. This book provides valuable insights and practical exercises, empowering actors to develop their creativity, authenticity, and expressive range.

Voice and The Actor: Cicely Berry

Cicely Berry's "Voice and The Actor" is a foundational text for actors seeking to develop their vocal skills. It explores techniques for breath control, vocal projection, and diction, emphasizing the importance of a strong and expressive voice. With practical exercises and insightful advice, this book empowers actors to unlock their vocal potential and deliver powerful performances. 

Voiceover Achiever: Brand your VO career. Change your life: Celia Siegel

Celia Siegel's "Voiceover Achiever" is a comprehensive guide for aspiring voiceover artists. It explores essential aspects of branding, marketing, and business development, empowering voice actors to build successful careers. With practical advice and real-world examples, this book provides valuable insights for navigating the competitive voiceover industry.

Voiceover Narration: Dian Perry

Dian Perry's "Voiceover Narration" is a comprehensive guide for aspiring voiceover artists. It explores essential techniques like script analysis, characterization, and vocal performance. With practical exercises and industry insights, Perry empowers voice actors to develop their skills and succeed in the competitive world of voiceover narration.

Your Voice and How to Use It: Cicely Berry

Cicely Berry's "Your Voice and How to Use It" is a comprehensive guide to vocal technique and performance. It explores essential elements like breath control, vocal projection, and diction. With practical exercises and insightful advice, Berry empowers individuals to develop a strong and expressive voice, enhancing their communication skills and performance abilities.

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