An actor prepares / Constantin Stanislavski; translated by Elizabeth Reynolds Hapgood; introd. by John Gielgud.

Translation of: Rabota aktera nad soboi. 1. Rabota nad soboi v tvorcheskom protsesse perezhivaniia

Summary: This work is the first volume of Stanislavski's trilogy on the art of acting. Fusing psychological realism and expressionism, his exploratory exercises teach actors to evoke past emotions that draw out their vulnerability. Stanislavski here introduces such concepts as the "magic if," "emotion memory," the "unbroken line" and many more now famous rehearsal aids. This classic manual is written from the viewpoint of fictional actors taking lessons from a director (based on Stanislavski). Through the student's mistakes, questions, revelations, and struggles, Stanislavski teaches the actor about the stage, truth, and life itself

Contents: The first test -- When acting is an art -- Action -- Imagination -- Concentration of attention -- Relaxation of muscles -- Units and objectives -- Faith and a sense of truth -- Emotion memory -- Communion -- Adaptation -- Inner motive forces -- The unbroken line -- The inner creative state -- The super-objective -- On the threshold of the subconscious