Experiencing Stanislavsky Today Training and Rehearsal for the Psychophysical Actor

This pioneering introduction to Stanislavsky's methods and modes of actor training covers all of the essential elements of his System. Recreating ‘truthful’ behaviour in the artificial environment, awareness and observation, psychophysical work, given circumstances, visualization and imagination, and active analysis are all introduced and explored. Each section of the book is accompanied by individual and group exercises, forming a full course of study in the foundations of modern acting. A glossary explains the key terms and concepts that are central to Stanislavsky’s thinking at a glance. The book’s companion website is full of downloadable worksheets and resources for teachers and students. Experiencing Stanislavsky Todayis enhanced by contemporary findings in psychology, neuroscience, anatomy and physiology that illuminate the human processes important to actors, such as voice and speech, creativity, mind-body connection, the process and the production of emotions on cue.It is the definitive first step for anyone encountering Stanislavsky’s work, from acting students exploring his methods for the first time, to directors looking for effective rehearsal tools andteachers mapping out degree classes.

1. Invitation to the Quest for Inspiration 2. The Actor's Palette: Interconnected elements of actions 3. Preparing for Inspiration: The creative state 4. Dedication to the Creative Space 5. The Psychophysical Instrument: Exploring mind-body connections 6. Communion: Deepening communication and mutual influence 7. Givens: Discovering and endowing circumstances 8. Non-Verbal Action: Communicating through behaviour 9. Embodying Voice and Speech 10. Verbal Action: Communicating with words and subtext 11. Emotional Experience 12. Reconnaissance: Mining the script and expanding to meet its challenges 13. Active Analysis through Events and Character Embodiment 14. Active Analysis through Psychophysical Action - Discoveries on the way to experiencing a role 15. Collaboration: Entering the production and rehearsal process 16. Experiencing the Creative Life: Communionwithaudience and society 17. The Evolving Stanislavsky System Appendices

Stephanie Daventry French has directed over 40 productions using Stanislavsky's Active Analysis. She teaches the Stanislavsky System integrated with many other techniques as head of the Acting for Theatre, Television and Film track at East Stroudsburg University. Philip G. Bennett has been an actor, teacher and director of the Stanislavsky System since 1969 - Artistic Director of the San Francisco Theatre Academy 1976-1984, the Bennett TheatreLab & Conservatory 1984-present, and Assistant Artistic Director to Russian emegré teacher, Sonia Moore, American Stanislavski Theatre, 1969 – 1975.