The Golden Buddha Changing Masks: An Opening to Transformative Theatre

I read the first edition of this book 10 years ago when I was studying acting in Graduate School and it completely altered the trajectory of my process. Now, the second edition brings a new insight. In the introduction, Olsen pulls the reader through a whirlwind of autobiographical stories and refreshing provacative questions that speak straight to the soul of any performing artist who has ever had the inkling that what they are doing might be something more than mere entertainment. Golden Buddha is not some cheezy new-agy self-congratulating work that makes actors out to be gods. Quite the contrary, it is a book that inspires humility, purpose, and a kind of joyful uneasiness. Be careful. You may never be satisfied with simply being an entertainer, or a distractor again. The second edition also has a new special treat for students who have an affection for the contributions Sanford Meisner. A new chapter on Meisner technique as a cure for narcissism. The end of the book includes several practical exercises that are absolute gold and, in my opinon as a theatre professional and arts educator, are the missing ingrediants in most ensemble work. You may find many of the ideas to be simple and familiar pointers to ideas that you have heard before or developed yourself by virtue of your experience. However, Olsen proves to be a worthy ambassador for the voice that may be nagging at you to not only "Be here now" but to "Be Here Now More!"