Dynamic Acting through Active Analysis: Konstantin Stanislavsky, Maria Knebel, and Their Legacy

Sharon Marie Carnicke

Dec 2022 · Bloomsbury Publishing

About this eBook

In the 21st century, actors face radical changes in plays and performance styles, as they move from stage to screen and grapple with new technologies that present their art to ever-expanding audiences. Active Analysis offers the flexibility of mind, body, and spirit now urgently needed in acting.

Dynamic Acting through Active Analysis brings to light this timely legacy, born during the worst era of Soviet repression and hidden for decades from public view.

Part I unfolds like a mystery novel through letters, memoirs, and transcripts of Konstantin Stanislavsky's last classes. Far from the authoritarian director of his youth, he reveals himself as a generous mentor, who empowers actors with a brand new collaborative approach to rehearsals. His assistant, Maria Knebel, first bears witness to his forward-looking ideas and then builds the bridge to new plays in new styles through her directing and influential teaching.

Part II follows a 21st century company of diverse actors as they experience the joy of applying Active Analysis to their own creative and professional work.

About the author

Sharon Marie Carnicke has authored a number of books on drama and acting, including the groundbreaking Stanislavsky in Focus, Checking Out Chekhov, and the co-authored Reframing Screen Performance. Her widely produced translations include her Kennedy Center award-winning The Seagull and are published in Chekhov: 4 Plays and 3 Jokes. Her work is distinguished by her fluency in Russian and her experience as an actor and director. She is fluent in Russian, has worked as an actor and director, and has taught and directed in the US, UK, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Norway, Finland, Russia, Italy, and Australia.