Your cart is empty.
Hamilton and Me - An Actor's Journal

Hamilton and Me

An Actor's Journal

By Giles Terera
Foreword by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Imprint: Theatre Communications Group
Paperback : 9781636701073, 224 pages, March 2023

Description

Hamilton and Me is a unique, behind-the-scenes account of preparing for, rehearsing and performing in one of the most important cultural phenomena of our time.

When Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking musical Hamilton opened in London’s West End in December 2017, it was as huge a hit as it had been in its original production off and on Broadway. Lauded by critics and audiences alike, the show would go on to win a record-equaling seven Olivier Awards—including Best Actor in a Musical for Giles Terera, for his portrayal of Aaron Burr.

For Terera, though, his journey as Burr had begun more than a year earlier, with his first audition in New York, and continuing through extensive research and preparation, intense rehearsals, previews, and finally opening night itself. Throughout this time he kept a journal, recording his experiences of the production and the process of creating his award-winning performance. This book, Hamilton and Me, is that journal.

It is also deeply personal, as Terera reflects on experiences from his life that he drew on to shape his acclaimed portrayal. Illustrated with photographs and featuring an exclusive foreword by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this book is essential reading for all fans of Hamilton­­—offering fresh, first-hand insights into the music and characters they know and love so well—and for aspiring and current performers or students, and anyone who wants to discover what it really felt like to be in the room where it happened.

Reviews

“One of the most joyous and clear-eyed approaches to playing a character that I have ever read…I was already in awe of his performance; now I’m in awe of his humanity and attention to detail, and willingness to share the hard work and magic that goes into it.”

- Lin-Manuel Miranda, from his Foreword

“Giles Terera gives us a master class in the art of acting and a marvelously candid glimpse into the world of Hamilton behind the scenes. We get all the magic of the show, but also the patience, discipline, and the hard work of the actors who make it soar. Every Hamilton buff and avid theatergoer will cherish this memoir.”

- Ron Chernow, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Alexander Hamilton

“This is a book written by a superlative actor and essential reading for any young actor about the way to approach a part.”

- Dame Judi Dench