An Actor's Companion: Tools for the Working Actor

“There is a muscularity, not to mention wisdom and truth, to Seth’s techniques. He is a wonderful teacher, and I know that having him as my first guide is one of the luckiest things to have happened to me in my career and life.” —Anne Hathaway, from her Foreword

“Seth Barrish has coached me on almost every TV project, film or audition I’ve done since we met ten years ago. When it comes to wisdom about acting, there’s no one I hold in higher regard.” —Mike Birbiglia, comedian, director, actor

“Seth’s approach and understanding is awesome. He makes it very easy to act by telling you not to act and be natural. It could be as simple as having something in your hand, creating business while you deliver a line to make it seem natural and comfortable. His book is amazing—it’s basically the actor’s blueprint.” —Jay Pharoah, actor, comedian

“In Seth’s class I often watch him transform a student’s good, yet average performance into a precise and exhilarating one, with just one simple adjustment. I am constantly blown away by how he does this. This book explains it.” —Sarita Choudhury, actor

“This book is truly unlike anything else I know—these pieces are haikus on specific elements of performance and character building.” —Philip Himberg, Sundance Theatre Institute

An Actor’s Companion is ideal for both seasoned professionals and beginning actors. The tips and exercises are simple and direct, and easy to apply in both rehearsal and performance.

Seth Barrish is an actor, director and co-founder of The Barrow Group, a theater company and acting school, in New York City. During his near forty-year career he has directed the award-winning My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend, Sleepwalk with Me, The Tricky Part, Pentecost, All the Rage and Old Wicked Songs.

Seth Barrish is Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of The Barrow Group, a New York–based theater company and school. As a director, his credits include the award-winning shows All The Rage, My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend (final performance at Carnegie Hall), Sleepwalk with Me, The Tricky Part, Pentecost, Old Wicked Songs and Good, as well as dozens of productions Off-Broadway and in theaters across the United States and around the world. He directed the Netflix comedy special Mike Birbiglia: My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend, and was co-director for the feature film Sleepwalk with Me. He is a renowned professional acting and directing coach and teacher. As an actor, he appears regularly in film and on television. He is also a composer and songwriter (SESAC). He is most proud of his affiliation with his family: Lee Brock, Phillip and Rachel Barrish.