TRICKS OF THE TRADE

BILLIE-ISMS

1. Who am I talking to? What do I want?
2. The mistake is not to try.
3. First impulses are a present.
4. Do less - connect more.
5. Control the other person’s attention.
6. You must learn to feel an honest moment.
7. Actors that don’t take care of themselves make me nervous.
8. They pay me to audition and wait.
9. What we want in the creative process is the unexpected,
   not the expected.
10. Breathe

Don't move, talk, or act until you have a clear intention and you're filled with a compelling emotion. - Alan Arkin

Do or do not. There is no try. - Yoda

BILLIE'S READING LIST   Visit your public library and mosey around the 800 section.

Essential Works by Acting Teachers

Challenge for the Actor, Uta Hagen

Audition, Michael Shurtleff

No Acting Please, Eric Morris

Auditioning, Allan Miller

Acting in Film, Michael Caine

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Online resources for books on acting include www.amazon.com
and www.limelightbooks.com
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SUGGESTED SCENES

ALL MY SONS
by Arthur Miller
Ann and Chris, End of Act I

AGNES OF GOD
by John Pielmeier
Doctor, Mother, Agnes

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF
by Tennessee Williams
Maggie and Brick, Act I, Scene 1
Big Daddy and Brick, Act II

CHILDREN’S HOUR
by Lillian Hellman
Karen and Martha, Act III, Scene1

COME BACK LITTLE SHEBA
by William Inge
Doc and Lola, Act II, Scene 3
Turk and Marie

CRUCIBLE
by Arthur Miller
Abigail and Proctor, forest scene

DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS
by William Inge
Rubin and Cora

DEATH OF A SALESMAN
by Arthur Miller
Biff and Happy, Act I
Linda’s last monologue
(Requiem)

DEATH OF BESSIE SMITH
by Edward Albee
Nurse and Orderly, Scene 4
Nurse and Intern, Scene 6

A DOLL’S HOUSE
by Henrik Ibsen
Torvald and Nora, Act I Scene1, End of Act III

ELEPHANT MAN
by Bernard Pomerance
Merrick and Kendal, Scene 9
Treves and Kendal, Scene 10
Merrick and Kendal, Scene 16

GLASS MENAGERIE
by Tennessee Williams
Amanda and Laura, Act I, Scene 2

GOLDEN BOY
by Clifford Odets
Lorna and Joe, Act II, Scene 2

A HATFUL OF RAIN
by Michael Gazzo
Polo and Johnny, Act II
Father and Johnny, Act II, Scene 2

LOOK BACK IN ANGER
by John Osborne
Helena and Alison, Act III, Scene 2

MADWOMAN OF CHAILLOT
by Jean Giraudoux
Three Women, Act II

ORPHEUS DESCENDING
by Tennessee Williams
Val and Carol, Act I
Lady and Val, Act II

OUR TOWN
by Thornton Wilder
George and Emily, Act II

PICNIC
by William Inge
Madge and Hal, end of Act II
Rosemary and Howard

POWER PLAYS
by Alan Arkin and Elaine May

RAINMAKER
by N. Richard Nash
Lizzie and File, Act II
Lizzie and Starbuck, end of Act II

SHADOW BOX
by Michael Christopher
Multiple scene selections

STRANGE SNOW
by Steve Metcalfe
Megs and Martha, Final Scene

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
by Tennessee Williams
Blanch and Stanley, Act I, Scene 2; Act III, Scene 4
Stella and Stanley, Act I Scene 2; Act III, Scene 1
Blanche and Mitch, Act II, Scene 2; Act III, Scene 3

SUMMER AND SMOKE
by Tennessee Williams
Alma and John
Alma and Salesman

TIME OF YOUR LIFE
by William Saroyan
Joe and Mary, Act II

27 WAGONS FULL OF COTTON
by Tennessee Williams
Vicarro and Flora, Scene 2

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
by Arthur Miller
Catherine and Rodolfo
Eddie and Mr. Alfieri, Act I

VIRTUAL REALITY
by Alan Arkin
De Recha and Lefty

ZOO STORY
by Edward Albee
Peter and Jerry
“I’ve been to the zoo…”

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