Konstantin Stanislavsky is one of the colossi not simply of Russian, but American and European theatre. His reputation is based mainly on his famous theory of acting and its application in practice. This volume contains his posthumous work, "The System and Methods of Creative Art," together with an introductory essay giving a careful exposition and a critical analysis of his 'system', and two appendices dealing with his views on stage ethics and melodrama. It provides an excellent opportunity for the study of 'the essential Stanislavsky' in a comprehensive and compact form.

Konstantin Stanislavski was a Russian director who transformed theatre in the West with his contributions to the birth of Realist theatre and his unprecedented approach to teaching acting. He lived through extraordinary times and his unique contribution to the arts still endures in the twenty-first century. He established the Moscow Art Theatre in 1898 with, among other plays, the premiere of Chekhov's The Seagull. He also survived revolutions, lost his fortune, found wide fame in America, and lived in internal exile under Stalin's Soviet Union.

Before writing his classic manual on acting, Stanislavski began writing an autobiography that he hoped would both chronicle his rich and tumultuous life and serve as a justification of his aesthetic philosophy. But when the project grew to 'impossible' lengths, his publisher (Little, Brown) insisted on many cuts and changes to keep it to its deadline and to a manageable length. The result was a version published in English in 1924, which Stanislavski hated and completely revised for a Soviet edition that came out in 1926.

Now, for the first time, translator Jean Benedetti brings us Stanislavski's complete unabridged autobiography as the author himself wanted it - from the re-edited 1926 version. The text, in clear and lively English, is supplemented by a wealth of photos and illustrations, many previously unpublished.

An Actor's Work on a Role is Konstantin Stanislavsky's classic exploration of the rehearsal process, applying the techniques of his seminal actor training system to the task of bringing life and truth to one's role. Originally published over half a century ago as Creating a Role, this book became the third in a trilogy - after An Actor Prepares and Building a Character, which are now combined in a newly translated volume called An Actor's Work. In these books, now foundational texts for actors, Stanislavsky sets out his psychological, physical and practical vision of actor training. This new translation from renowned writer and critic Jean Benedetti not only includes Stanislavski's original teachings, but is also furnished with invaluable supplementary material in the shape of transcripts and notes from the rehearsals themselves, reconfirming The System as the cornerstone of actor training.

An Actora (TM)s Work on a Role is Konstantin Stanislavskya (TM)s classic exploration of the rehearsal process, applying the techniques of his seminal actor training system to the task of bringing life and truth to onea (TM)s role.

Originally published over half a century ago as Creating a Role, this book became the third in a trilogy a " after An Actor Prepares and Building a Character, which are now combined in a newly translated volume called An Actora (TM)s Work. In these books, now foundational texts for actors, Stanislavsky sets out his psychological, physical and practical vision of actor training.

This new translation from renowned writer and critic Jean Benedetti not only includes Stanislavskia (TM)s original teachings, but is also furnished with invaluable supplementary material in the shape of transcripts and notes from the rehearsals themselves, reconfirming The System as the cornerstone of actor training.

Stanislavski's 'system' has dominated actor-training in the West since his writings were first translated into English in the 1920s and 30s. His systematic attempt to outline a psycho-physical technique for acting single-handedly revolutionized standards of acting in the theatre. Until now, readers and students have had to contend with inaccurate, misleading and difficult-to-read English-language versions. Some of the mistranslations have resulted in profound distortions in the way his system has been interpreted and taught. At last, Jean Benedetti has succeeded in translating Stanislavski's huge manual into a lively, fascinating and accurate text in English. He has remained faithful to the author's original intentions, putting the two books previously known as An Actor Prepares and Building A Character back together into one volume, and in a colloquial and readable style for today's actors. The result is a major contribution to the theatre, and a service to one of the great innovators of the twentieth century. This Routledge Classics edition includes a new Foreword by the director Richard Eyre.

This clearly written guide to the Stanislavski method has long been a favorite among students and teachers of acting. Now, in light of books and articles recently published in the Soviet Union, Sonia Moore has made revisions that include a new section on the subtext of a role. She provides detailed explanations of all the methods that actors in training have found indispensable for more than twenty years. Designed to create better actors, this guide will put individuals in touch with themselves and increase personal sensitivity as well.

Konstantin Stanislavsky's reputation is founded on his theory of acting and its application in practice. This volume contains his posthumous work The Stysem and Methods of Creative Art, together with an introductory essay by translator David Magarshack, giving a careful exposition and a critical analysis of his 'system'. Two appendices deal with Stanislavsky's views on stage ethics and melodrama. A comprehensive guide to Stanislavsky's work.

Stanislavski's 'system' has dominated actor-training in the West since his writings were first translated into English in the 1920s and 30s. His systematic attempt to outline a psycho-physical technique for acting single-handedly revolutionized standards of acting in the theatre. Until now, readers and students have had to contend with inaccurate, misleading and difficult-to-read English-language versions. Some of the mistranslations have resulted in profound distortions in the way his system has been interpreted and taught. At last, Jean Benedetti has succeeded in translating Stanislavski's huge manual into a lively, fascinating and accurate text in English. He has remained faithful to the author's original intentions, putting the two books previously known as An Actor Prepares and Building A Character back together into one volume, and in a colloquial and readable style for today's actors. The result is a major contribution to the theatre, and a service to one of the great innovators of the twentieth century.

In his outstanding autobiography, Konstantin Stanislavsky reveals his own ideas and experience. "The theatre is the finest medium of intercourse between nations. It reveals their most cherished aspirations. If only these aspirations were revealed more often ... the nations would shake hands, and lift their caps, instead of training guns on each other." -- Konstantin Stanislavsky "This wise and delightful book...is packed with sage practical counsel to actors and actresses." -- The Times Literary Supplement "A great figure upon the world scene, one of the greatest men of the theatre that ever lived." -- New York Herald-Tribune "It was a source of great enlightenment to me." --Sir Laurence Olivier

Originally published in the Soviet Union in 1963, this is a Stanislavsky centennial collection. It contains excerpts from memoirs referring to the great Russian actor and stage director. There are passages by Maxim Gorky, Anatoly Lunacharsky, Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, Yevgeny Vakhtangov, Sergei Eisenstein, Emile Verhaern, Maurice Maeterlinck, Max Reinhardt, Jacques Copeau, etc. Most of the materials presented in this collection, including the brilliant letters by Stanislavsky, are little known abroad, and appear in English for the first time. The collection is lavishly illustrated. "The theatre is the finest medium of intercourse between nations. It reveals their most cherished aspirations. If only these aspirations were revealed more often ... the nations would shake hands, and lift their caps, instead of training guns on each other." - Konstantin Stanislavsky