Drama Workshop: Teaching Drama to Beginning Actors

I took one of Chuck's workshops many years ago - probably 20 or more. I was creative arts director for my church and needed to expand my ministry to the youth. I'd never taught a drama workshop to beginning actors or teens before.What I learned in Chuck's workshop moved my ministry to the next level. I ended up teaching middle schoolers at Ridgecrest, at our home church, and at drama conferences around the Southeast.I now am the managing director for a Community Theatre, where we have actors from the beginner to the professional in our plays. What I learned fro Chuck through his workshops has enabled me to coach the new actors. I learned how to pull a winning performance from an actor, too.If you are involved with teaching beginning actors, Chuck's book will make your job so much easier! I highly recommend it.

I found this book to be a great resource for not only both directors and actors but also anyone that just wants to improve their public  skills. It explains stage direction, audience communication, and acting techniques in plain simple English with exercises that are engaging and memorable. With this book one can't help but learn while having great fun. Directors will find this book an excellent guide for passing on what they have learned and actors will find it a great refresher of what they may already know. I have used these techniques to great effect during many years of working with improv groups, Christian Youth Theater, home school cooperatives, and various conferences.

In the beginning there was drama - a lot of drama. Well that has nothing to do with this review, but sounded good to me. I have seen Chuck in action and attended a portion of his workshop at a drama retreat a while back. What stands out about this instruction book and his workshops is how quickly a student becomes engaged in the process and then forgets about being nervous or intimidated to communicate in front of others. Stage fright is for real, but with the help of the "Neighbors" method it can soon be put in it's place and used to motivated you to rise above it. The ability to communicate in public can be a life changing adventure....take it.

This is a wonderful update to Chuck’s previous workshop. I wish it had been around earlier. I have used his earlier version with great success. The package covers every important topic of drama for a successful workshop.The cues and ‘script’ for the facilitator are complete, making the process ready for success. Modules could be used separately or in groups that are appropriate for the particular occasion. They could also be used on a weekly/monthly basis for a drama group that meets regularly.For an experienced teacher or leader, there are always tools for sharpening up a bit. This is one of those tools.The price is a bargain. The purchase should be a no brainer.

I have been in drama and creative arts work professionally my whole life, and seen many resources come and go. "Drama Workshop: Teaching Drama to Beginning Actors" is one of the best books on the subject ever! It is laid out so that whoever is conducting the training can do so easily and confidently, knowing that all aspects of teaching acting will be covered. Each chapter is comprised of "Purpose, Do This, Say This, Side Coach, Tip, and a Debrief with Questions for Discussion." There are valuable handouts of diagrams and worksheets. Even inexperienced teachers could take this book and learn as they are leading their troupe through the exercises. I recommend it wholeheartedly and without reservation.

Chuck Neighbors’ Drama Workshop: Teaching Drama to Beginning Actors is an accessible, clearly written resource book, filled with all sort of great advice for a teacher of first-time acting students with an eye toward enjoying themselves while working well together. Filled with effective games to aid in everything from warm-up exercises, teamwork, stage presence, character development, imagination and improvisation. – Jennifer Enskat, Actor, Producer, Director, leapyearfilms.com

Thoroughly enjoyed reading Chuck's book. I wish I'd had it when I started a drama group at my church years ago. He writes in a very informal style and doesn't get into a lot of "theatah blah blah" that makes your eyes glaze over. He cuts to the chase and covers all the bases.. (am I mixing sports metaphors?), but anyone who wants to start a drama group - or wants to encourage someone else to start one - or simply wants to find out the basics of acting - will find this book both entertaining and informative. A must read.

What a fun read! This creative and informative book lays out, step by step, what you need to engage yourself and others in the wonderful journey of drama. Whether you’re experienced or just starting out, Chuck Neighbors writes in such a warm and friendly way that it feels like you’re sitting down with a friend. He’s really done the prep work for you - which allows you to enjoy the process. And I love that there’s handouts you can use too! Highly recommend!

This book is so useful! Chuck gets right to the point, and uses a format that makes it easy to use. I wish I had had a resource like this when I was on the road, leading similar workshops. Reading this book has gotten me all pumped up to go out and doing it again.My one complaint is I read it on my phone and I couldn't figure out how to increase the font. But I'd also like to point out that as I've had to drastically cull my book collection, Chuck's books of plays remain on my shelf.