The Gonsalves Method
Meisner Updated for the Modern Actor
The Gonsalves Method
Meisner Updated for the Modern Actor
Buying pre-order items
Ebooks and Audiobook
You will receive an email with a download link for the ebook or audiobook on the publication date.
Payment
You will not be charged for pre-ordered books until they are available to be shipped. Pre-ordered ebooks will not be charged for until they are available for download.
Amending or cancelling your order
For orders that have not been shipped you can usually make changes to pre-orders up to 72 hours before the publishing date.
Payment for this pre-order will be taken when the item becomes available
Description
The Gonsalves Method is an inspiring, comprehensive and replicable theatre process that builds skills, develops trust and opens hearts in any rehearsal room. It offers a systematic approach to acting and directing that builds on the techniques developed by Sanford Meisner and updates them for the pressures and contexts of the modern world.
Five Conditions – As, If, Prep, Objectives, Stakes and Entitlement – offer a clear, relatable performance language and a simple step-by-step guide to practicable and powerful ways to breathe life into the words of any playwright.
Five Rehearsal Stages work alongside the Five Conditions in offering a clear path to performance that showcases both ensemble practice and the uniqueness of each performer.
Rehearsal exercises are detailed throughout, illustrated through work by a wide range of playwrights, including Tanika Gupta, Duncan Macmillan, Caryl Churchill and William Shakespeare.
A wealth of practical tips are woven through the process, including for casting, line learning, auditions, self-tapes and direct address. For whatever stage in your career, this book offers actors, directors and theatre teachers insights and exercises to develop alive, responsive, authentic performances that meet Meisner's instruction that actors should 'live truthfully under a given set of circumstances'.
Accessibility Information
Additional accessibility information
- EPUB 3.0
- Conforms with the requirements of EPUB Accessibility Spec v1.1
- WCAG level AA
- WCAG v2.2 compliant
Visual adjustments
Appearance of the text and page layout can be modified according to the capabilities of the reading system (font family and size, spaces, as well as color of background and text)
Navigation
Purposes of all links are made clear
Table of Contents
What is the Gonsalves Method?
How has it evolved from Meisner?
What benefits does it offer today's actors, directors and teachers?
Preparation
Chapter 1: Getting connected to each other
Chapter 2: Getting to know the world of the play
Chapter 3: Getting to know your character's point of view
Chapter 4: Getting to know your lines
The Five Conditions
Chapter 5: As Ifs and Preps
Chapter 6: Objectives, Stakes and Entitlement
The Five Rehearsal Stages
Chapter 7: Testing Conditions
Chapter 8: Bringing in Text
Chapter 9: Paraphrasing and Listening
Chapter 10: Using your Words to get your Objective
Chapter 11: Physical Externals and Staging
Performance
Chapter 12: Moment to Moment
Epilogue
Bibliography
Index
Product details
| Published | 12 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|
| Format | Ebook (Epub & Mobi) |
| Edition | 1st |
| Pages | 192 |
| ISBN | 9781350461413 |
| Imprint | Methuen Drama |
| Illustrations | 5 bw illus |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
Reviews
Related Titles
