Customer Reviews

Acting: The First Six Lessons (Theatre Arts Book)

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In this deceptively simple little book, Richard Boleslavsky, famed director of a by-gone era, has laid out not only the "First Six Lessons" of the title, but ALL six lessons. They are, clearly, lessons that must be read more than once and over a period of years that reflect the obvious growth in maturity of 'The Creature' who is Boleslavsky's imaginary student in the book.

In each of the six lessons -- on the surface, six acts of a drama -- Boleslavsky presents the skills and tools of the classically trained actor: Concentration, Memory of Emotion, Dramatic Action, Characterization, Observation, and that elusive tool called Rhythm. In each chapter, he manages to show how these tools are applied through the three basic aspects of the actors craft: Emotion, Intellect, and Body. Unlike the American Method of Lee Strassberg, he stresses the balance among these three aspects throughout all of his 'lessons' to the creature.

Among the many delightful moments in these lessons, in the chapter on characterization, shows how an actor must approach the performance of a Shakespearean role: "All you have to do is grasp the characterization of Shakespeare's mind and follow it" (82-83). Of course, Boleslavsky knows that this is no simple task, but he is able to put it in simple terms for us to begin the process of "grasping" it.

Finally, one could make a case for non-acting artists to read this book also. It is a treatise on creativity in general, as well as acting specifically, when, for example, it says, "The theatre exists to show things which do not exist actually. When you love on stage, do you really love? Be logical. You substitute creation for the real thing. The creation must be real, but that is the only reality that should be there" (41).The universality of Boleslavsky's art is inescapable.

No better tract for the actor exists; no actor should live without this at his or her side.

Richard Boleslavsi, a key member of the Moscow Art Theatre and practioner of the Stanislvaskian "system" wrote this, a key volume that serves as the greatest starting point for any serious actor.

Writing his text in the form of a play script, Boleslavski lays out a series of easily definable and highly applicable excersises that aid tremendously towards developing the acting instrument.

Although it is impossible to learn acting from simply reading a book, if used as a complimentary text in a hands on acting class, Boleslavski's book will help one build a solid foundation upon which one can begin legitimate work in the Theatre.

However, on a strongly personally biased note, skip the second chapter, entitled "Memory of Emotion". If done improperly, this second chapter can lead to incredibly self conscious acting posing as psuedo-therepy.

The chapters of Rythym, Concentration, Dramatic Action, Characterization and Observation however prove helpful, practical and definable. Please begin with this tome.

I recently took a scene study class, and the teacher used this book as our reading material for the course. This is a great book to get if you want to find out what it takes to be a serious actor. The book teaches the basic foundations of acting, for example Concentration and Characterization and more.

It is told in a story type format with the Teacher meeting "The Creature" and her aunt and other people in her life. The characters in the book talk about the fundementals of what it takes to act. Because it is told in this format, the ideas in the book are very easy to follow.

I did find that the Teacher refering to his student as "The Creature" was somewhat demeaning. But then you have to consider how long ago this book was written and the time period it was written in. This was probably typical of the period. Even though the actual book was written so long ago, it is a classic for the acting student. And the techniques and methods the Teacher speaks about are things even modern day actors must learn.

If you are interested in the Craft of Acting, this is definately a book you should read.

Copyrighted in 1933, "Acting" has proved to be a mainstain for actors and directors alike. However, Boleslavsky's book is not only for performers, but for writers, artists, and all individuals who want to enhance their creativity. It teaches one to think, see, feel, evaluate, and take action.

Only 134 pages long, Boleslavsky's book contains a lifetime of knowledge. In addition, written in a dialogue between "I" and "The Creature," it's an easy read.

Anyone who wants to go into the world of acting must read thus book. It connects you in a whole new way to the passion of the arts and acting.

This is an excellent book that I call a handbook because it must be returned to over and over. The lessons are in the form of dialogues/conversations between teacher and student.

The lessons are: Concentration, Memory of Emotion, Dramatic Action, Characterization, Observation and Rhythm.

This is a very basic yet infinitely deep series on the tools that an actor needs, which Boleslavsky draws out of his pupil, here called The Creature. The antiquated nature of the relationship seems of the time, 1933, and though that may distract from the substance, it rapidly becomes as much a device as the dialogue/conversation format used to express the lessons.

I could pick this up and open to any lesson and mine that for a time. These lessons are not mastered, rather they are practiced.

Wonderful guide for a young beginning actor. Essential for the true understanding of theater.

This book is probably the best guide to acting. It tells you how to achieve your successes through the work of an acting teacher and his disciple. Although at times it may seem demeaning toward the actor, if you recall your earlier days in acting you probably wish someone could have just said this stuff to you. I am a college student (BFA Music Theatre) and by far this has been my greatest source of information to this point.

I love this book! It is perfect for anyone who loves acting and wants to make it their life! I learned so much and my passion for this art was even greater when I was through!!! If you love acting then you'll love this book!!!

Boleslavsky was one of Konstantin Stanislavski's foremost disciples and, through the founding of the American Lab Theatre, as responsible as anyone for bringing Stanislavski to the attention of American theatre people. This book is remarkable both for its cogent commentary on the acting process and for being even more readable than Stanislavski's own books. The chapters on observation and rhythm are especially valuable.

The one downside is that some readers might find the "I" character overbearing (calling the student "The Creature" is rather arrogant, after all), and some readers may not be able to get past the sexism of the time at which the book was written.

For all this, however, this is to my mind the best single introductory book on acting anywhere.