Stanislavski's simple exercises fire the imagination, and help readers not only discover their own conception of reality but how to reproduce it as well.
An Actor Prepares
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
So much mystery and veneration surrounds the writings of the great Russian teacher and director Stanislavski that perhaps the greatest surprise awaiting a first-time reader of An Actor Prepares is how conversational, commonsensical, and even at times funny this legendary book is. After many productions with the Moscow Arts Company, Stanislavski sought a way to introduce his new style of acting to the world outside of his rehearsal hall. The resulting book is a "mock diary" of an actor describing a series of exercises and rehearsals in which he participates. He details his own emotional and intellectual reactions to each effort, and how his superficial tricks and mannerisms begin to disappear as he increasingly gives over his conscious ego to a faith in the creative power of his subconscious. Rarely has any writer on the theater achieved the sort of lucid and inspired analysis of the acting process as Stanislavski does here, and his introduction of such now-standard concepts as "the unbroken line," "the magic if," and the idea of emotional memory has laid the groundwork for much of the great acting of the 20th century. While much excess and nonsense was to follow in the steps of Stanislavski's writings, his original texts remain invaluable, and surprisingly accessible, to any actor or student of drama. --John Longenbaugh
Review
[O]ne of the most inspired and inspiring manifestos of our art that I know.
–Richard Monette, Stratford artistic director
–Richard Monette, Stratford artistic director
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The first in a series of three, an Actor Prepares deals with the inner process/preparation an actor must explore in order to prepare for a role, how to control and stimulate your mind in order to convey the truth of your character. The story is told through the eyes of Kostya, the ex-stenographer who know shorthand, thus enabling him to take notes of the class. The instructor, Tortsov, is Stanislavski in disguise.
The book takes you on a journey of the art - acting. From learning about the magic "IF" to learning how to find your super-objective there is something for all in this book. Everything interrelates forming a web of knowledge and tools that you can take with you forever.
When you read it, however, keep in mind what the author said about his books:
"It is not a hand-me-down suit that you can put on and walk off in; or a cook book where all you need to find is the page and there is your recipe. No, it is a whole way of life."
The book takes you on a journey of the art - acting. From learning about the magic "IF" to learning how to find your super-objective there is something for all in this book. Everything interrelates forming a web of knowledge and tools that you can take with you forever.
When you read it, however, keep in mind what the author said about his books:
"It is not a hand-me-down suit that you can put on and walk off in; or a cook book where all you need to find is the page and there is your recipe. No, it is a whole way of life."
35 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An Actor's Prepares is a teaching book that is written as a story. The theory is within the story. The "story" touches on things like relaxation, movement and concentration. You are one of the students, you learn the same method as the other students in the story. You will progress with them and in the end, you will have the sense on being "private in public". If you are an actor, or thinking of pursuing a career as an actor, this is a MUST READ! I still use this bokk as a guide to get me back on track when I feel that I am slipping in my craft. I love this book because of the way Stanislavski is preserved here. His teaching style shines through. This is the first book in a trilogy of the Stanislavski "Method" My advise for reading this book. Read it slow and digest every individual thought as if it were your last meal. You will learn not only about improving your ability to act, but also come away with a better feeling of who you are as a person, not just as an actor!
31 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It cannot be doubted that Stanislavki's Trilogy is a must for any aspiring actor. Stanislavki was the pioneer in creating a coherent system of practices and concepts to aid in strengthening the art of acting. I would, however, advise anyone who has not yet read the book to be cautious. It is important to understand that Hapgood's translation is sketchy in places, and tends to run around in cirlcles. As a supplement to this book, I would recommend reading Sonia Moore's The Stanislavski System. She worked directly with Stanislavski and understands his system much better than E. Hapgood. Not that the books vagueness is all her fault. It seems that Stanislavki goes to great lengths to explain things that are, nowadays, common sense. He certainly wasn't the first to ever think of these concepts; he was merely the first to organize them and give them names. Much of what is contained in this book is merely a modernized translation of Hamlet's "Speak the speech I pray you". The Magic If is simply a codefied means of make believe. That is fundamentally what it all boils down to. I relished the situation of the student and teacher realationship, and did find myself growing and evolving with him. It really makes you think of acting in a whole new perspective. But, as with any method, you must be cautious to use only what works for you. There is a common desire to make An Actor Prepares the bible of all actors. I won't argue that Stanislavski's system is the basis of almost all other methods that have risen in the last century, but there are other effective texts available. Respect of Acting and To the Actor, to name a couple. Don't just read Stanislavski; read several to help put it all in perspective. Acting books are so pompous, byenlarge, and you have to wade through a lot of self-hype and nonsense. That is one thing I really appreciated about his trilogy; they are without ego. Also, for anyone interested in a truly off the wall acting text, read The Inner Game of Tennis. It's literally found in the Sports section, but it's teachings are every bit as relevant to the art of acting as they are to sport psychology. Take my word for it. And the best thing about it is that you don't have to listen to any snooty actors talking about how great they are.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Interesting book
Was assigned as part of an acting class - interesting. Quick read. No new concepts but written as if you are following an actress and her teacher through her beginning... Read more
Published 7 months ago by MDA
A "need to know"
This book is a need to know for all who are involved with theater, specifically actors. If you are such a person, there's a good likelihood that you've already heard of this book. Read more
Published 9 months ago by J
Acting
One word... Unbelieveable. This book opened up my perspectives and understanding in dozens of new ways. Read more
Published 13 months ago by MaryR
An actor prepares
Very neat old book. Nice basic text for the beginning actor. Good recommendation from our acting coach.
Published 14 months ago by Susan L. Sacks
Academy Award Winners use this Method
This is a concept driven book written in story form--interesting. This is not a cookie cutter book of meaningless impersonal nonverbal tricks to portray real characters. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Ozzieb
A good buy!
I ordered this book for college, so I needed it fast, and it came within 3 days. It was in good condition and everything went really well! THANKS!
Published 19 months ago by Jake
Superb, excellent, im grateful!
My book took longer than expected to come but it was worth it because it was in excellent condition.. (brand new i'd say)...Thank you very much!
Published on October 19, 2008 by Ifunanya Enezuagu
Incomplete, Innacurate Translation
Stanislavski is a familiar name in theatre circles. The legendary director of the Moscow Art Theatre wrote perhaps some of the most influential books on acting in the last century. Read more
Published on October 1, 2008 by Enamorato
Very Informative
This book is very informative and resourceful. It teaches you the true method of acting.
Published on March 16, 2007 by Edwin R. Freeman Jr.
any performing artist should read this book...
the magic 'if' can transform worlds for you...the grand Master Stanislavski in a rough interpretation brings you his mystery of acting.. Read more
Published on March 5, 2007 by Kerry O. Burns
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
WE WERE EXCITED as we waited for our first lesson with the Director, Tortsov, today. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
inner creative state, mechanical acting, inner motive forces, creative apparatus, inner stimulus, inner preparation, external production, creative mood, inner mood, imaginary life, exhibition performance Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Assistant Director, Sonya Veliaminova, The Inspector General New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Surprise Me!
WE WERE EXCITED as we waited for our first lesson with the Director, Tortsov, today. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
inner creative state, mechanical acting, inner motive forces, creative apparatus, inner stimulus, inner preparation, external production, creative mood, inner mood, imaginary life, exhibition performance Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Assistant Director, Sonya Veliaminova, The Inspector General New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 10
books:
See all 10 books this book cites
100
books
cite this book:
See all 100 books citing this book
- The Inspector General (Dover Thrift Editions) by Nikolai Gogol in Front Matter, and page 126
- The Sea-Gull by Anton Chekhov on page 205
- The Taming of the Shrew (The New Folger Library Shakespeare) by William Shakespeare on page 32
- My Life in Art: CWE (The Collected Works of Konstantin Stanislavsky) by Ko Stanislavsky in Front Matter
- Romeo and Juliet (Penguin Readers, Level 3) by William Shakespeare in Front Matter
See all 10 books this book cites
- Stanislavsky in Focus: An Acting Master for the Twenty-First Century (Contemporary Theatre Studies) by Sharon Marie Carnicke on 34 pages
- Method Acting Reconsidered: Theory, Practice, Future by David Krasner on 14 pages
- Drama and Theatre Studies by Sally Mackey on 11 pages
- Modern Theories of Performance: From Stanislavski to Boal by Jane Milling on 9 pages
- Beyond Stanislavsky: A Psycho-Physical Approach to Actor Training (Theatre Arts (Routledge Hardcover)) by Bella Merlin on 9 pages
See all 100 books citing this book
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