Movement for Actors
A comprehensive anthology of movement techniques for actor training
Overview
Movement for Actors, edited by Nicole Potter, is an anthology that brings together leading movement teachers and practitioners to cover a wide range of physical training approaches. It includes chapters on Alexander Technique, Viewpoints, Suzuki, Laban, and other methods.
Each chapter is written by a specialist in that particular movement discipline, providing authoritative introductions to techniques that actors often encounter in training and professional work. The breadth of coverage is unmatched.
How It Works
Essential for actors who want to understand the physical dimension of their craft and explore different movement methodologies. It serves as both an introduction and a reference guide for ongoing physical training.
Available in paperback, typically priced between $20-25. Frequently used as a textbook in MFA acting programs and movement courses.
Who Uses It
Recommended for actors committed to developing their physical instrument. The range of approaches covered allows actors to find the movement practices that resonate most deeply with their own artistic sensibilities. The book fills a crucial gap in acting literature, which tends to focus heavily on text-based and psychological approaches while neglecting the physical dimension of performance. For actors who have felt that their training overemphasizes the intellectual and emotional at the expense of the physical, this book provides a corrective and an invitation to explore the body as an equally important instrument. The anthology format ensures that readers get authoritative introductions to each movement discipline rather than a single author's interpretation of multiple techniques, which increases the reliability and depth of each chapter.
Pricing & Plans
Movement for Actors is available in paperback from Allworth Press, typically priced between $20 and $25 for a new copy. Used copies are frequently available for $10 to $15, as the book is commonly used as a textbook in MFA acting programs and is therefore widely circulated in the secondhand market. Digital editions are available for Kindle at approximately $15 to $20. The book is often required reading in graduate acting programs, which means institutional libraries typically carry copies. For a comprehensive anthology that covers a dozen or more distinct movement methodologies, the price represents excellent value — attending even a single workshop in any one of the techniques covered would typically cost more than the book itself. Students enrolled in programs that require the book should check for used copies from previous cohorts to save money.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The anthology format brings together genuine specialists in each movement discipline, ensuring that readers get authoritative, accurate introductions rather than a generalist's overview that might misrepresent subtle but important aspects of each technique. The breadth of coverage is unmatched by any other single volume — the book introduces actors to Alexander Technique, Viewpoints, Suzuki, Laban, stage combat, dance, yoga, and other modalities in one accessible collection. Each chapter stands alone as a useful introduction, allowing readers to explore the techniques that interest them most without needing to read the entire book sequentially. The book makes a compelling case for the importance of physical training in actor development, which helps actors advocate for movement work in their own training and professional practice. The practical exercises included in many chapters give readers enough material to begin exploring each technique immediately. The diverse range of contributors also exposes readers to different pedagogical voices and teaching styles, which enriches the reading experience.
What Could Be Better
As an anthology, the book necessarily introduces each technique at a survey level, and actors who want to develop real proficiency in any particular movement discipline will need to seek out specialized training and more in-depth texts. The quality and depth of individual chapters varies depending on the contributor, with some providing rich, exercise-filled introductions and others offering more theoretical overviews that are harder to apply independently. The book focuses primarily on Western and contemporary movement methodologies, with less coverage of traditional non-Western physical training practices that some actors may find equally valuable. Some chapters assume a level of physical training or body awareness that beginners may not yet possess, which can make certain exercises feel inaccessible. The book does not provide a clear framework for how to integrate multiple movement practices into a coherent personal training regimen, leaving actors to figure out that synthesis on their own. Additionally, the textbook pricing places it above typical acting books, though used copies mitigate this concern.
Our Recommendation
Movement for Actors is essential reading for any serious actor who recognizes that physical training is as important as script analysis and emotional preparation — which is to say, it should be essential reading for every serious actor. It is particularly valuable for students in MFA programs and conservatories where movement training is part of the curriculum, as it provides theoretical context for what they are experiencing in class. Actors who have primarily trained in text-based and psychologically oriented approaches should read this book as a necessary expansion of their toolkit. If any particular chapter sparks strong interest, follow up with specialized study in that technique — the book is designed as an entry point, not a destination. For actors who want to go deeper into a single movement methodology, pair this overview with dedicated texts like The Alexander Technique for Actors, Laban for Actors and Dancers, or The Viewpoints Book.
Pro Tips
Read through the entire table of contents first and identify two or three movement disciplines that intrigue you most, then start with those chapters rather than reading front to back — you will engage more deeply with material that genuinely interests you. Try the practical exercises from each chapter you read, even briefly, before moving on — physical techniques cannot be understood purely through intellectual reading. Use the book as a guide for deciding which movement workshops, classes, or intensive trainings to pursue, as trying every technique in person is impractical and the book can help you make informed choices. If you are in a movement class, read the corresponding chapter in the book to deepen your understanding of the underlying principles and history of the technique you are studying. Create a personal movement practice routine that draws from multiple chapters, spending even ten minutes a day on physical training to build habits that support your acting. Share the book with your actor friends and practice partners — many of the exercises work best with a partner or group and can be incorporated into warm-ups before rehearsals or performances.