You can give more to an audition than merely wearing a clean shirt and sucking in your gut. Alterman, a premier monologue and audition coach, helps new and experienced actors get the most from material they are expected to present on the spot, or perhaps two spots if they are lucky. He starts with the basic requirements for a good cold reading, technical rules and common mistakes, then gets specific about plays, monologues, screenplays and teleplays, television commercials and daytime TV shows. In each case he provides tips, examples and exercises so actors can apply his advice directly. Alterman's advice comes from long and successful experience, the readings are excellent, and the many insights from casting directors are sincere and helpful. Alterman also provides a well-chosen list of recommended reading. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)