To the Actor: On the Technique of Acting

by Michael Chekhov

Overview

2014 Reprint of 1952 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Chekov has recorded the results of his many years of experimenting, testing and verifying in the professional theater and schools of theater. He brings to the actor far greater insight into himself and the character he is to portray, which enables him to approach any role with new ease and skill. Chekhov was told by Stanislawsky to organize his observations and thoughts and present them to his audience. Preface by Yul Brynner. Illustrated by Nicolai Remisoff.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781614276593
Publisher:	Martino Fine Books
Publication date:	07/03/2014
Pages:	220
Sales rank:	983,202
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Michael Chekhov

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 The Actor's Body and Psychology; Chapter 2 Imagination and Incorporation of Images; Chapter 3 Improvisation and Ensemble; Chapter 4 The Atmosphere and Individual Feelings; Chapter 5 The Psychological Gesture; Chapter 6 Character and Characterization; Chapter 7 Creative Individuality; Chapter 8 Composition of the Performance; Chapter 9 Different Types Of Performances; Chapter 10 How to Approach the Part; Chapter 11 Concluding Notes; Chapter 12 Examples for Improvisation;

Editorial Reviews

'Its greatest virtue is not so much that you can't put it down but that you have to put it down - in order to try it out.' - Research in Drama Education

'To the Actor is by far the best book that I have read on the subject of acting. Actors, directors, writers and critics will be grateful for it.' - Gregory Peck

'This new publication of To the Actor should be welcomed by all of us with one of the most universal of Psychological Gestures - open arms.' - James Lipton, Producer and host of 'Inside the Actor's Studio'. Seen on the Bravo network.

'Just practicing, even superficially, the first nine exercises in To the Actor, you can find a satisfaction - a living beauty in you ... Chekhov reminds us what a great feast life can be.' - Anthony Quinn

'You have to teach yourself to act but Michael Chekhov will give you the necessary tools - and for me, Psychological Gesture and Centers are extremely valuable They work like a charm. I've used them all along and still do.' - Clint Eastwood

'While my mother and sister were hiding in the dark and kind of watching me, ya know, hoping I was going to be in the movie business, I turned around and imagined I saw my director making fun of my newly acquired Psychological Gesture from Michael Chekhov.' - Jack Nicholson at the 1998 Golden Globe awards (speaking about his first job)

'There's this need to continue growth; to expand. For me, Chekhov's system is the most complete.' - Robert Davi, interviewed on the set of his TV series, 'The Profiler'

'With Michael Chekhov acting became more than a profession to me. It became a sort of religion.' - Marilyn Monroe, from her book, My Story.

From the Publisher