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CHOICE Review

Cole's unique analysis of the psychology of directors and their individual visions is quite a personal glimpse into the detailed workings of the actor/director relationship. A series of international directors (both men and women) are studied at work in the rehearsal process. Little evaluative work is handled by the author, but observations on the difference in process as opposed to product are in evidence throughout the text. The book should have a specialized audience. It will be most useful to advanced undergraduate and graduate students studying directing and to directors who are willing to reevaluate their own processes in the creation of the art of theater. Detail is scrupulously provided, but much of it is probably irrelevent to the nonprofessional. Although it is about specific directors, the book does suggest strong generalized insights into acting as a craft and into the relationship between the creative working actor and the visionary director. This work has this reviewer's support for advanced directing students and professionals in the field. Cole has provided valid insight into some very special directors particularly active in American theater today. Among the greatest successes of the book is the author's choice of directors, her choice of theater artists successfully practicing their craft.