Building a Character (Performance Books) - Softcover

Stanislavski, Constantin; Hapgood, Elizabeth Reynolds

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1408100053 ISBN 13: 9781408100059

Publisher: Methuen Drama, 2008

Synopsis

In his most famous book, An Actor Prepares, Stanislavski dealt with the imaginative processes. In the second book, Building a Character, he deals with the physical realisation of character on the stage, expressions, movement and speech etc. It is a book in which every theory is inextricably bound up with practice - a perfect handbook to the physical art of acting. The work of Stanislavski has inspired generations of actors and trainers. This edition, now reprinted with a new cover at a more accessible price, has stood the test of time for actors all over the world and was the original English language translation. A classic text for every actors library. "An Actor must work all his life, cultivate his mind, train his talents systematically, develop his character; he may never despair and never relinquish this main pupose - to love his art with all his strength and love it unselfishly." (Constantin Stanislavski)

About this title

Review:

"Indispensable for the actor, stimulating for the layman."
-"The Nation
"Anyone who attempts to train actors or to direct plays will find here a great mine of practical wisdom, all informed by Stanislavski's grasp of the art itself."
-Francis Fergusson, "Educational Theatre Journal
"In (this book) Stanislavski, assuming the reader's familiarity with the 'inner technique', proceeds to study costume and the wearing of costume, bodily movement, voice, speech and the use of language, and tempo and rhythm-- the more external but essential techniques whereby the actor learns to use his physical instrument . . . and he expounds them as only a master can; i.e., with the insight and authority of talent plus expeirence. Anyone who attempts to train actors or to direct plays will find here a great mine of practical wisdom."
-Francis Fergusson, "Education Theatre Journal
"The chapter on Diction and Singing offers an analysis of basic problems of singing that is unrivaled."
-"Musical America

About the Author:

Constantin Stanislavski died in 1938 and is the most influential person in actor training to date. As co-founder of the Moscow Art Theatre, he developed his theories of acting. Elizabeth Reynold Hapgood (Translator) - An editor and translator and Head of the Russian Department at Columbia University worked with Stanislavski before he died.

About this edition

• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1408100053
• ISBN 13: 9781408100059
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304