Kristen Dabrowski
Published: 2006
Total Pages: 136
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This groundbreaking new series is for truly young actors- monologues, scenes, and technique book for the elementary school set. Each book builds on the one before it, so skills grow as students grow. Often, young children are given work written for older actors that is difficult for them to understand and retain. This material is comprehensible, relatable, and fun. For all the young characters and performers, there is finally a book for you!And within this series, an exciting collection that breaks down barriers: Square pegs don?t fit into round holes. It''s that simple.Specifically for young actors of Hispanic descent, M. Ramirez has written a group of books for second, third, fourth generation immigrant kids who don''t often feel included in a lot of the literature they?re surrounded with. References to abuelos, abuelas, and other cultural specifics help make these performance pieces a little more accessible to kids who might or might not be speaking English as a second language. all with a specific flavor that will help young actors find their voices and stretch themselves, performing pieces that speak not only about them, but directly to them.Because of the Latino flavor incorporated into this material, these kids can focus on what they are meant to focus on performing without any cultural barriers.KIDS: These books tell you about how to act and give you some excellent characters to play! There are also many, many games and activities. (P.S. They may also make you the smartest kid you know!)TEACHERS: This series provides ample material for classroom use. In addition, the Teacher''s Guide will give tips and ideas to use in classrooms.PARENTS: If you''ve got a natural performer in the house, this book provides some simple pieces for auditioning, horsing around, or performing in the living room. These books are both fun and educational.AGENTS/MANAGERS: These monologues are immediate and active, with different emotions and levels within each monologue. Great for auditions.Everyday life was never so nutty! Inside you''ll find imaginative "what if" pieces for would-be princesses, cowboys, robots, and superheroes as well as real-life issues like unfair bedtimes, making new friends, and the horrible taste of broccoli. At this stage in life there are lots of firsts, too, like going to a new school and losing your teeth, so there are plenty of topics for children to connect with. "short, accessible selections on common topics such as games, families, food, friends, school, and wishes. The true-to-life experiences and emotions are delivered in a child''s voice and run the gamut from funny to serious. . . . The book has several classroom applications, including public speaking, memorization, journal writing, and storytelling. While there are other monologue titles for elementary children . . . the selections in My First Monologue Book are much shorter and easier to memorize or analyze."SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNALKRISTEN DABROWSKI is a writer, actress, teacher, and director residing in New York City. Kristen has written eighteen books so far for Smith and Kraus, including The Ultimate Audition Book for Teens 3, 11, and 12; the 10+ series of short plays, scenes and monologues (6 volumes); the Teens Speak series (4 volumes), 20 Ten-Minute Plays for Teens 1; and The Ultimate Monologue Book for Middle School Actors 1 and 4. Additionally, she is author of Clown: A Love Story, a full-length play for 5 actors. Kristen is a member of Actors Equity and The Dramatists Guild.M. RAMIREZ is a Miami native and a graduate of NYU?s Dramatic Writing program. His monologues and scenes for young actors have won Critic?s Choice Awards at Thespian Society Competitions at District, State, and National Levels. He is a two-time winner of the Latino Playwriting Award from the Kennedy Center''s American College Theatre Festival. His plays have been produced at Fringe NYC, the Mad Cat Theatre Company, City Theatre''s Summer Shorts, and Actors Theatre of Louisville.
