Creating A Role (Paperback)

by Constantin Stanislavski (Author) "THE PREPARATORY WORK on a role can be divided into three great periods: studying it; establishing the life of the role; putting it into physical..." (more)
Key Phrases: simple psychological objectives, proposed circumstances, inner creative state, The Inspector General, Moscow Art Theatre, Nizhny Novgorod (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Altogether, Creating a Role is a brilliant little treatise, and a careful reading is worth several lessons in almost any English acting academy.
–Charles Marowitz, The Observer

For the actor in need of nourishment of his gifts and guidance for his enthusiasms, this book is immeasurably important; for anyone with an interest in the theatre it is terrific entertainment.
–Paul Scofield, The Sunday Times

The pattern of disciplined development of character is examined, from the actors viewpoint, in three widely contrasting plays. For the actor in need of nourishment for his gifts and guidance for his enthusiasm, this book is immeasurably important; for anyone with an interest in theatre it is terrific entertainment.
–Paul Scotfield

This newest and possibly best segment...focuses its attention upon the actual work of the actor in preparing specific characterizations from specific plays...A masterful job...Immensely stimulating reading--a valuable, a welcome addition.
–James Gousseff, Players

We are lucky to have a third Stanislavski book that explains the rudiments of acting. Creating a Role is a workshop manual. It tells an actor how to work.
–Brooks Atkinson

Product Description
This volume completes, with An Actor Prepares and Building a Character, the trilogy in which Stanislavski set down his life's accomplishment.
Creating a Role describes the elaborate preparation that precedes actual performance. Stanislavski here relates the techniques he describes in his preceding books to analyzing specific plays and their roles.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 271 pages
• Publisher: Theatre Arts Book (April 28, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878309810
• ISBN-13: 978-0878309818
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #48,959 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Of The BEST!, March 25, 2000

By A Customer

This book shocked me. In buying it I had envisioned receiving an "okay" book. I was so wrong. This book is incredible. I found myself highlighting/making notes/and never letting the book close. This book helps the actor who really, really needs help. It sounds odd, but this book can make you an incredible actor. True, it can't start you in Hollywood! However it provides insight on how to be a great actor, no matter if Hollywood becons. Buy the book, you won't be disappointed! I promise

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Completes Stanislavski's classic series, October 21, 2005

By	The Actor (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This is another "must-read" for actors. This is the third and final book in his classic trilogy, and shows how to apply the techniques in his first and second book to creating a role. Very practical; this trilogy completely transformed my acting almost overnight. You do not need to have an instuctor to show you how to use this technique; much of it you can do on your own. Strongly recommended.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, June 26, 2004

By A Customer

There is nothing "simple" about acting & this wordy, detailed book will prove it. Though written in so much deep detail that it can be off-putting to some, if you are serious about acting you will learn so much necessary skill from this book.