Acting Stanislavski: A practical guide to Stanislavski’s approach and legacy

John Gillett

Feb 2014 · Bloomsbury Publishing

About this ebook

Stanislavski was the first to outline a systematic approach for using our experience, imagination and observation to create truthful acting. 150 years after his birth, his approach is more widely embraced and taught throughout the world – but is still often rejected, misunderstood and misapplied.

In Acting Stanislavski, John Gillett offers a clear, accessible and comprehensive account of the Stanislavski approach, from the actor's training to final performance, exploring:

ease and focus
the nature of action, interaction and objectives
the imaginary reality, senses and feeling
active analysis of text
physical and vocal expression of character
the actor in the context of training and the industry.

Drawing on Stanislavski's major books, in both English translations, and on records of his directing process and final studio classes, Acting Stanislavski demystifies terms and concepts. It is for actors from an actor's point of view, and offers many practical exercises and examples as an integrated part of each subject.

Acting Stanislavski also creates an up-to-date overview of the Stanislavski approach, connecting his legacy with the work of his successors, from Michael Chekhov to Meisner, Adler and Strasberg.

A new, extended and fully updated edition of Acting on Impulse: Reclaiming the Stanislavski Approach (Methuen Drama, 2007), Acting Stanislavski now includes new exercises and biographies, a further chapter on The Character, and an expanded glossary along with many other additions to the previous chapters. It is an essential practical and educational resource for any acting student, professional or teacher.

About the author

John Gillett is the author of Acting on Impulse - Reclaiming the Stanislavski Approach (Methuen Drama, 2007); the second extended edition, Acting Stanislavski - A practical guide to Stanislavski's approach and legacy (Bloomsbury, 2014); and co-author with Christina Gutekunst of Voice into Acting - Integrating voice and the Stanislavski approach (Bloomsbury 2014, and now in a second edition, 2021). He has also written articles on acting and the preface for a new edition of Stanislavski's Creating a Role (Bloomsbury Revelations, 2013). John trained as an actor in the approach of Stanislavski and Michael Chekhov and has worked widely in theatre, radio, film and television. He has taught and directed in many drama schools, including RADA, LAMDA, CSSD, and GSA, and was Head of the Post Graduate Acting Course at East 15. John has run acting workshops here and aboad, is a member of Equity and has had a prominent role in the writing of recent arts policy documents for Equity and the Creative and Leisure Industries Committee of the TUC (2019).