TECHNIQUE READING LIST

FOR ACTING STUDENTS

Boleslavsky, THE FIRST SIX LESSONS

Basics of Stanislavki’s technique applied as acting lessons.  Try to ignore the archaic setting of the male teacher instructing the female ‘Creature’ who aspires to be a great actress.

Stanislavski, AN ACTOR PREPARES

The most famous acting text, this book sets out at length Stanislavski’s principles of acting and applies them in a rehearsal setting.  To be read slowly and absorbed. After you finish it, you can go on to his other two volumes, as they correspond to later stages of your training:

BUILDING A CHARACTER

CREATING A ROLE

Sanford Meisner, ON ACTING

Takes you through Meisner’s technique one step at a time.

Jerzy Grotowski, TOWARDS A POOR THEATER

A great modern book of avante-garde theater philosophy by it’s most important director and teacher.

Thomas Richards, AT WORK WITH GROTOWSKI ON PHYSICAL ACTIONS

A book which explains the central importance of Stanislavski’s work on physical action in the actor’s technique, and how it was explored by Grotowski.  Sheds light on Meisner’s emphasis on truthful physical action, acting as a physical craft, and the importance of ‘the reality of doing’.

Michael Shurtleff, AUDITION

The best book on Audition technique.  Uses many Meisner-based principles.

Vasily Toporkov,  STANISLAVSKI IN REHEARSAL

Stanislavski and actors show the application of the method of physical actions and truthful behavior in the rehearsal process.  Perhaps the most illuminating of records of Stanislavski’s teachings.

STANISLAVSKI AND AMERICA: THE METHOD AND ITS INFLUENCE ON AMERICAN THEATRE

Articles and interviews with Meisner and others on the application of Stanislavski’s principles.  Includes many of the major American teachers, their stories and comments on the work.