Konstantin Sergeyevich Stanislavsky - a name known throughout the world. This great Russian theater director, actor and teacher has developed a world-famous acting system, which even today does not lose popularity both in our country and far beyond its borders.
He had a chance to work with prominent theatrical figures and talented playwrights who were destined to become classics of Russian art. His unique experience and an unsurpassed sense of aesthetics allowed him to organize his thoughts and observations into a system that brought up more than one generation of brilliant actors.
This great man left behind a huge legacy in the form of numerous literary works, which even now help aspiring actors and directors to comprehend all the subtleties of stage art. Here are his autobiographical notes, and memories of great contemporaries, and, of course, acting textbooks.
Introducing the top 10 best books by K.S. Stanislavsky.
10. Notebooks
The greatest reformer of theatrical art for many years led notebooks, which he recorded interesting stories from the biography, and some theatrical sketches, and sketches of his creative ideas, and philosophical thoughts. Also in his notebooks, he developed important for him issues of theory and practice of acting.
This work is not only an outstanding legacy for all followers of the best traditions of Russian theater, but also a great literary value.
9. I do not believe it! Memories
Here the reader can see the contemporaries of Stanislavsky through the eyes of an unsurpassed master. Konstantin Sergeyevich was lucky to communicate and work with great artists of the time, thanks to which Russian theater traditions subsequently became a model for the world's best acting schools.
In his work, Stanislavsky shares with the reader memories of such legendary personalities as L.N. Tolstoy, A.P. Chekhov, L.N. Andreev et al.
8. The actor’s work on the role
What should an actor pay attention to when working on a role? What are the main tasks for the director? How can an actor achieve absolute reincarnation, while not “playing” the role?
The book "Work of the actor on the role" K.S. Stanislavsky will give a detailed answer to each of these questions. Here, the unsurpassed genius of stage art reveals the basic laws of constructing the creative process and outlines the main techniques that are still in demand around the world.
7. Chekhov in the memoirs of contemporaries
Memories of the life of one of the most prominent Russian writers and playwrights Anton Pavlovich Chekhov occupy one of the leading places in Russian memoirs. For almost twenty years, Chekhov was at the center of the development of Russian theater. He saw and worked closely with the greatest writers, directors and actors of his time.
6. Ethics
This publication publishes two unfinished manuscripts of Konstantin Sergeyevich on acting ethics and a detailed analysis of the organization of theatrical affairs. This work is presented in the form of a diary for a student of a theater school.
Stanislavsky worked for many years to systematize the basic principles of stage ethics and discipline. He began even before the revolution, which is why some examples and some expressions in them are taken from the past, and are more related to the life of the tsar’s theater. However, the vast majority of observations and recommendations of Stanislavsky refers to modern theater.
5. The actor’s work on himself. About the technique of the actor (collection)
The system is based on the theory of stage art. Having no analogues at that time, the method of improving acting technique created by K.S. Stanislavsky, was called to help the artist achieve psychological certainty on stage.
A detailed system was set out in his famous "Work of the actor on himself." And this work is something like the alphabet of an actor, without which it is impossible to start a more in-depth study of the famous technique.
4. The actor’s work on himself in the creative process of embodiment
This book Stanislavsky devotes to such issues as rhythm, plastic, diction, etc. This work will be useful not only to those who want to devote their professional destiny to an acting career, but also to those whose activities will be associated with public speaking (politicians, TV presenters, pop music artists, etc.).
3. The actor’s work on himself in the creative process of experiencing
This work of the great master is devoted to an in-depth study of the stage health of the actor. Here Stanislavsky, relying on his colossal experience, tries to detail the psychological side of the actor’s workflow, exposes amateurism in the profession and gives very specific instructions for the artist to achieve the highest degree of skill.
2. The art of performance
This textbook, composed of sketches and lectures by Stanislavsky, is a kind of "squeeze" from his entire famous system. Any professional actor and director will be very useful to read this book.
From the incredible creative heritage of the master, the most relevant and useful for everyone who wants to connect his life with theatrical art was collected. Here various training methods are collected, among them are exercises for the development of memorization, concentration of attention and imagination.
1. My life in art
The autobiography of Konstantin Sergeyevich Stanislavsky is considered one of the most fascinating books written about the theater. Here you will find countless interesting and incredible stories from life, a description of the creative process, portraits of prominent theatrical figures of that time, reflections on the mission of the theater, and many more interesting ones.
This work will help to understand a brilliant man who was infinitely devoted to his work to such an extent that he made many people around the world fall in love with the theater.