Great Scenes for Young Actors

School Library Journal

Gr 7 UpThis volume is the second in a series that attempts to provide teen actors with scenes that look at life from the perspective of young people. The selections are taken largely from contemporary plays, with a few big names such as Tom Stoppard represented. There are also a few scenes from classic plays such as Arthur Millers All My Sons and Merton of the Movies by George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly. In a brief introduction, the editors remind readers that they need to read the entire play from which the scene is taken. Given this warning, they provide background on each play, including brief synopses. The scenes are organized into four basic categories: male and a female, two males, two females, and groups. The editors also include a group of generic, page-long, open-ended dramatic tudes, dialogues that offer young actors the opportunity to create situations through subtext, such as with voice inflection or body language. These practical exercises will be useful in drama classes. Some of the material includes discussion and depiction of adolescent sexuality. This book will interest teens eager to find new material for auditions.Tim Wadham, Dallas Public Library, TX Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.