Prologue: hoodwinking Hamlet
1. The givens of rehearsal: good ground
2. The four-week gig-act 1: the first two weeks
3. The four-week gig-act 2: weeks three and four
4. A creative process: six approaches
5. Get serious: seven ways
6. Living rehearsal: a 24/7 gig
7. Actor and playwright: the words made flesh
8. Actor and director: in the trenches
9. Actor and designers: a common purpose
10. Actor and dramaturg, stage manager, coaches and crew: a big tent
11. Shakespeare's mountain of words: poetic language
12. Rehearsing the musical: an American original
13. Film, television: less is more
14. Practice your own rehearsal process: a declaration of independence
15. Reading and researching the role: rehearsal techniques
16. On your feet and in your sleep: more rehearsal techniques
17. Understudying: the readiness is all
18. Actor's block: how professionals break through
19. Rehearsing life: fake it 'til you make it
