Mythic Imagination and the Actor

Product Description

In Mythic Imagination and the Actor, Marissa Chibás draws on over three decades of experience as a Latinx actor, writer, filmmaker, and teacher to offer an approach to acting that embraces collective imagination, archetypal work, and the mythic.

The book begins with a comparative analysis between method acting and mythic acting, encouraging actors to push past the limits of singular life experience and move to a realm where imagination and metaphor thrive. In the context of mythic acting, the book explores awareness work, solo performance creation, the power of archetypes, character building exercises, creating a body/text connection, and how to be the detective of your own process. Through this inclusive guide for a new age of diverse performers traversing gender, ability, culture, and race, readers are able to move beyond their limits to a deep engagement with the infinite possibilities of rich imagination. The final chapter empowers and motivates artists to live healthfully within the practice and create a personal artistic vision plan.

Written for actors and students of acting, American Drama, and film and theatre studies, Mythic Imagination and the Actor provides practical exercises and prompts to unlock and interpret an actor’s deepest creative sources.

Review

“A beautifully written exploration of the key aspects of the actor’s craft as seen through the lense of mythology, imagination, spirituality, and the hero’s quest. Essential reading for all artists willing (and needing) to challenge themselves to replace the literal with the poetic in their work and in their lives. Rigorous exercises guide the participant and inspire them to connect with their joy, their dreams, the metaphors of their lives, and the secret oracle energy lurking there to fully embrace and become the artist they were destined to be. As Marissa Chibas states, drawing from profound experiences over three decades as an actor and teacher, “You will be led toward placing the magical and wondrous forward in your work.” A game changer!”
José Rivera, Playwright of Marisol and Academy Award nominee for The Motorcycle Diaries
“Most acting training is based on methods first developed in the 19th century, focused in manipulating the actor and their body as instrument, in order to create emotional states. Actors explore objectives, super objectives, wants and tactics. Few have asked if this releases an actor’s soul, their ability to create poetry on stage or is supportive of BIPOC actors. This is why Chibas’ book is so necessary and refreshing. She deftly releases the full range of an actor’s power and imagination, tapping into more ancient traditions, from Cuba, Africa, Egypt, even Eleusianian mysteries, in an accessible and frank text. An invaluable addition to any actor’s, teacher’s, director’s or university’s bookshelf–brava!”
Elaine Ávila, Fulbright Scholar, Visiting Professor/Playwright in Residence, Pomona College, Quest University, Western Washington University

“For Any Actor/Artist Marissa’s Book is essential to understanding and applying a deeper(mythic) Approach to the Craft as well as to life itself. She has been a mentor and inspiration to me and many other Artist who have gained substantially from her knowledge. This Book is a MUST READ”.
Ron Cephas Jones, Two-time Emmy Award Winning Actor
“The most important thing she taught me was to take my time and take my space. If you’re in your own body it’s very difficult to be untruthful.”
Armando Acevedo, CalArts alum, international actor and artist

“She taught me…that there’s no such thing as ‘good’ or ‘evil,’ that there are only people.”
Dana Chariton, Actor, CalArts Alum

“Wild courage when it comes to engaging ideas that I call ‘Ancient Future’ that straddle time and space and multiple cultural formations. This book will unlock something in your practice.”
Daniel Alexander Jones, American Playwright Black Light (Public Theater, Greenwich House Theatre); Duat (Soho Rep