An Actor's Companion - by Seth Barrish (Paperback)

About the Book

An acting guide by award-winning director Seth Barrish.

Book Synopsis

"There is a muscularity, not to mention wisdom and truth, to Seth's techniques. He is a wonderful teacher, and I know that having him as my first guide is one of the luckiest things to have happened to me in my career and life." --Anne Hathaway, from her Foreword

"Seth Barrish has coached me on almost every TV project, film or audition I've done since we met ten years ago. When it comes to wisdom about acting, there's no one I hold in higher regard." --Mike Birbiglia, comedian, director, actor

"Seth's approach and understanding is awesome. He makes it very easy to act by telling you not to act and be natural. It could be as simple as having something in your hand, creating business while you deliver a line to make it seem natural and comfortable. His book is amazing--it's basically the actor's blueprint." --Jay Pharoah, actor, comedian

"In Seth's class I often watch him transform a student's good, yet average performance into a precise and exhilarating one, with just one simple adjustment. I am constantly blown away by how he does this. This book explains it." --Sarita Choudhury, actor

"This book is truly unlike anything else I know--these pieces are haikus on specific elements of performance and character building." --Philip Himberg, Sundance Theatre Institute

An Actor's Companion is ideal for both seasoned professionals and beginning actors. The tips and exercises are simple and direct, and easy to apply in both rehearsal and performance.

Seth Barrish is an actor, director and co-founder of The Barrow Group, a theater company and acting school, in New York City. During his near forty-year career he has directed the award-winning My Girlfriend's Boyfriend, Sleepwalk with Me, The Tricky Part, Pentecost, All the Rage and Old Wicked Songs.

Review Quotes

"With the simplicity of a Zen master and the wit of an author who knows his business, Seth Barrish offers the true gift of any teacher to a student: precise tools that are easy to grab and handy for life." --Martin Moran, actor, playwright

"After having had my fair share of overly intense and arrogant acting teachers while living in New York, Seth was a breath of fresh air. He exorcised out the 'work' of acting and finally brought back its true intention... 'play.'" --Tony Hale, actor

"As a casting director who has never acted, his succinct, accessible lessons help me to not only be a better reader with the actors I audition on a daily basis, but these lessons have also given me the vocabulary to direct the actors into giving a better performance." --Jennifer Euston, casting director

"I have introduced Seth's book to my closest friends. You can now see them all on your favorite shows. Enough said." --Sakina Jaffrey, actor

"What a gem! An Actor's Companion is not only wise, but practical. The way Seth works is the best way: going for simplicity and spontaneity. But the book is selling itself short. It's not only an actor's companion--it's also a director's companion. I know I'll be using it." --Frank Oz, director, actor

"The tools that Seth gives actors make the director's job easier and more exciting." --Michael Apted, film director

"Seth's book cuts to the quick: specific, precise tools to make your acting more spontaneous. Seth's tools helped me rediscover the joy of acting." --Michael Stahl-David, actor

"An Actor's Companion is filled with simple, straightforward tools that are immensely freeing for any actor. They put you in your most creative and spontaneous state. I highly recommend this book!" --Peyman Moaadi, actor

"Seth's book gives actors what they need most in their very public, yet oddly isolated enterprise, and that's a practical companion." --David Rabe, playwright

"Are you an actor?... Do yourself a favor and buy this book! Clear, concise and fun to use! I play with these tools every time I work." --Alison Wright, actor

"Over the years, my acting had become so labored that it had simply stopped being fun. This book of tools made me fall in love with acting all over again. Plus, I started booking a lot more jobs!" --Poorna Jagannathan, actor

"An Actor's Companion is a wonderful and useful book, whether you're an old pro or just starting out--there's something for everyone!" --Debra Monk, actor

"Simple, clear cut, direct, practical actions to solve my everyday actor problems." --Zachary Booth, actor

About the Author

Seth Barrish is Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of The Barrow Group, a New York-based theater company and school. As a director, his credits include the award-winning shows All The Rage, My Girlfriend's Boyfriend (final performance at Carnegie Hall), Sleepwalk with Me, The Tricky Part, Pentecost, Old Wicked Songs and Good, as well as dozens of productions Off-Broadway and in theaters across the United States and around the world. He directed the Netflix comedy special Mike Birbiglia: My Girlfriend's Boyfriend, and was co-director for the feature film Sleepwalk with Me. He is a renowned professional acting and directing coach and teacher. As an actor, he appears regularly in film and on television. He is also a composer and songwriter (SESAC). He is most proud of his affiliation with his family: Lee Brock, Phillip and Rachel Barrish.