Praise for Spontaneous Behavior

“After decades of teaching acting with his unique and successful emphasis on layers of preparation at the same time as he emphasizes freedom of the moment, Paul Austin has gathered his teaching into a comprehensive why-to, how-to, what-to-do. At some early point while reading Spontaneous Behavior, you will experience what his students like myself felt and would carry within them going forward. Pursuing acting can be a conduit to resources inside yourself that will draw you deeper into the guidance of good literature and the joy of discovering the layered nuances of behavior.” 

—Bill Pullman 

“As insightful and inspiring as it is practical, Paul Austin’s Spontaneous Behavior should be required reading for any actor interested in creating a character, shaping a performance and navigating a dramatic text. But don’t be fooled, Spontaneous Behavior isn’t just for actors. It’s also an invaluable resource for artists and storytellers of all stripes—playwrights, educators, directors and anyone else hoping to create, interpret or embody authentic and dimensional characters. Paul Austin looks at the art and craft of acting from several different angles, integrating and articulating everything he’s learned in a way that’s both accessible and illuminating to anyone lucky enough to read his wondrous book.”

—David Lindsay-Abaire, playwright, Pulitzer Prize for Rabbit Hole

“A unique exploration of the craft of acting with creative exercises that guide the actor from preparation to performance. A must for the dedicated actor.”

—Rob Decina, VP Casting, NY, CBS Studios

“Paul Austin has spent a lifetime as an actor, director, playwright, and teacher delving deeply into the act and art of theatre. This practical and well-crafted book is something only he could have written. It resonates with his passion for, curiosity about, and commitment to discovering how an actor can fulfill all of the potential inherent in their character and the play. To encourage actors in this demanding quest he first explores the primal sources of human behavior. He then offers a unique and comprehensive series of exercises to inspire actors toward meeting the exhilarating challenge of becoming “more of themselves by becoming somebody else.”

—William Carden, Artistic Director, Ensemble Studio Theatre, New York

“Spontaneous Behavior is an actor’s compendium, an exploration of the primal connections between performer and character; it’s a trove of philosophy, method, and practice that delves into the primal needs of human behavior. Paul Austin’s detailed examination of iconic stage characters like Chekhov’s Masha, Williams’s Tom Wingfield, Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Gertrude, and other characters, reveals the effectiveness of his methods. The workbook lessons delve into the craft of acting. They provide a comprehensive way to practice body, mind, and feeling to help an actor develop and codify their approach to their task so that, within their own the neutral creative space, they will find common ground between themselves and the characters they are playing. If you are an experienced professional or new to this strange and enchanting endeavor, read on. You might discover a way that will allow you to always find your center, to create that quiet space.”

—Zach Grenier, actor; Tony Award nominee, 33 Variations (Broadway); Deadwood; Fight Club; The Good Fight (television)

“Paul Austin has written a book like no other acting book. It’s more than a detailed guide on how to build a character from text analysis to physical work on the body, gesture, and breathing. The approach to scenes is so vibrant and alive with possibilities for an actor that the exercises fly off the page. It’s not only a valuable tool for audition, rehearsal, and performance, it’s an exciting read that reawakens the wonder and mystery that is the art and craft of acting.”

—James DeMarse, actor/writer; Drama Desk Award, Orphans Home Cycle; Artistic Director, 42nd St Workshop Theater

“Both practical and inspiring, this book scintillates with respect for acting, and the integrity and unique persona of the actor. The exercises in the workbook section, have shown me how to accommodate any direction thrown my way, in whatever medium I happen to be working in.”

—Karen Young, actor; A Lie of the Mind (Broadway); Heading South (film); The Sopranos (television)

“Plundered from a lifetime of dedication to and love for the theater, Paul Austin has created a rigorous blueprint for delving into text, exploring and building character and craft, and creating the world of the play. Spontaneous Behavior is a guide to limitless artistic exploration, and is an invaluable tool for every committed actor, be they beginner, journeyman, or master craftsman.”

—Julia Brothers, award-winning New York-based actor/writer; Broadway, regional theatre, standup comedy in NY and LA