Legend tells how Thespis walked around Athens pulling a handcart, setting up a series of one man plays, where he showed the bad behaviour of man.

Our word thespian, meaning actor, comes from his name. He is supposed to have modified the dithyramb (which had been, in effect, exchanges between the leader and the chorus) by introducing an actor separate from the chorus. Masks, make up and costumes are also his contribution.

The mask allowed the actor to portray the universality of human existence, but even masked, actors were like modern megastar pop-stars, commanding huge figures to perform. They dined with world leaders, travelled extensively and negotiated through their Theatre Guild. At Keep Left Theatre we stick with the Union too.

Thespis is no longer with us to appreciate a handy corner store for actors -- but you certainly can.

Browse through our recommendations for an offer you can't refuse

Auditioning

Getting the Part: Thirty-Three Professional Casting Directors Tell You How to Get Work in Theater, Films, Commercials, and TV
Useful information direct from casting directors.. what to do and not do to get a directors attention.

Auditioning

Auditioning : An Actor-Friendly Guide (Vintage Originals)
H ow to deal with nervousness and turn it into a positive feeling, from the most basic practical tips to an in-depth framework for preparing a part.

Monologues for Auditions

The Actor's Scenebook : Scenes and Monologues From Contemporary Plays Monologues in a wide range of acting ability for both men and women. An essential item for auditioning actors which provides exciting opportunities to sharpen acting skills in roles that brought accolades from New York's toughest critics. Smart, sassy, often outrageous comedy or deeply moving drama -- take your pick

Cold Reading

Cold Reading and How to Be Good at It
Cold reading is one of the areas that all of us need to work at !

Monologues

The Theatre Audition Book: Playing Monologs from Contemporary, Modern, Period, Shakespeare and Classical Plays
127 pieces, for almost any audition situation. A blueprint for preparing auditions and selecting audition materials.

Womens' Monologues for Auditions

One on One: The Best Women's Monologues for the Nineties (Applause Acting Series)
Still the best collection of 75 monologues for women from the stage of the 1990s.

Technique

The Power of the Actor: The Chubbuck Technique
Chubbuck's no-nonsense 12 step technique takes the mystery out of script analysis and completely simplifies the art of making a character human. Ideal for audition practice.

Tools

How to Get the Part...Without Falling Apart!
Tools to break through the psychological roadblocks to auditioning and how to alleviate the cold reading jitters. Includes accounts by established actors on their own mistakes and slip-ups.