10 best books by Konstantin Stanislavsky

Konstantin Sergeevich Stanislavsky is a well-known name all over the world. This great Russian theater director, actor and teacher developed a world-famous acting system, which today does not lose popularity both in our country and far beyond its borders.

He happened to work with outstanding theatrical figures and talented playwrights, who were destined to become classics of Russian art. His unique experience and unsurpassed sense of aesthetics allowed him to streamline his thoughts and observations into a system that brought up more than one generation of brilliant actors.

After himself, this great man left a huge legacy in the form of numerous literary works, which even now help novice actors and directors to comprehend all the subtleties of stage art. Here are his autobiographical notes, and memories of great contemporaries, and, of course, textbooks on acting.

Introducing the top 10 best books by K.S. Stanislavsky.

10 Notebooks

The greatest reformer of theatrical art for many years kept notebooks, where he entered interesting stories from his biography, and some theatrical sketches, and sketches of his creative ideas, and philosophical reflections. Also in his notebooks, he developed important questions for him in the theory and practice of acting.

This work is not only an outstanding heritage for all followers of the best traditions of the Russian theater, but also a great literary value.

9. I do not believe! Memories

Here the reader can see Stanislavsky’s contemporaries through the eyes of an unsurpassed master. Konstantin Sergeevich was lucky to communicate and work with the great artists of that time, thanks to whom the Russian theatrical 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 and others.

8. Actor’s work on the role

What should an actor pay attention to when working on a role? What are the main tasks of the director? How can an actor achieve absolute reincarnation without “playing” a role?

The book “The work of an actor on a role” by K.S. Stanislavsky will give a detailed answer to each of these questions. Here, the unsurpassed genius of stage art reveals the basic patterns of building the creative process and outlines the main techniques that are still in demand all over the world to this day.

7. Chekhov in the memoirs of contemporaries

Memoirs about the life of one of the most prominent Russian writers and playwrights Anton Pavlovich Chekhov occupy one of the leading places in Russian memoir literature. For almost twenty years, Chekhov was at the center of the development of Russian theatrical art. He saw and worked closely with the greatest writers, directors and actors of his day.

6. Этика

This edition publishes two unfinished manuscripts by Konstantin Sergeevich, devoted to acting ethics and a detailed analysis of the organization of theatrical business. This work is presented in the form of a diary of a theater school student.

Stanislavsky worked on the systematization of the basic principles of stage ethics and discipline for many years. He started 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 royal theater. However, the vast majority of Stanislavsky’s observations and recommendations relate to the modern theater.

5. An actor’s work on himself. About Actor’s Technique (compilation)

The system is based on the theory of performing arts. Having no analogues at that time, the method of improving acting technique, created by K.S. Stanislavsky, was intended to help the artist achieve psychological authenticity on stage.

A detailed system was outlined in his famous “The Actor’s Work on Himself”. And this work is something like the actor’s ABC, without which one cannot proceed to a more in-depth study of the famous technique.

4. The work of an actor on himself in the creative process of incarnation

Stanislavsky devotes this book to such issues as rhythm, plasticity, 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 related to public speaking (politicians, TV presenters, pop 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 well-being of the actor. Here Stanislavsky, relying on his colossal experience, tries to detail the psychological side of the actor’s work process, denounces dilettantism in the profession and gives very specific instructions for the artist to achieve the highest degree of skill.

2. The Art of Presentation

This textbook, compiled from studies and lectures by Stanislavsky, is a kind of “squeeze” from his entire famous system. Any professional actor and director will benefit greatly from reading this book.

From the incredible creative heritage of the master, the most relevant and useful for everyone who wants to connect their lives with theatrical art was collected. Here are collected a variety of teaching methods, among them are exercises for the development of memorization, concentration and imagination.

1. My life in art

The autobiography of Konstantin Sergeevich Stanislavsky is considered one of the most fascinating books written about the theater. Here you will find countless interesting and incredible life stories, descriptions of the creative process, portraits of prominent theatrical figures of that time, reflections on the mission of the theater, and much more entertaining.

This work will help to understand a man of genius 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.