Michael Chekhov's classic work To the Actor has been revised and expanded by Mala Powers to explain, clearly and concisely, the essential techniques for every actor from developing a character to strengthen awareness.
Chekhov's simple and practical method – successfully used by professional actors all over the world – trains the actor's imagination and body to fulfill its potential.
To the Actor includes a previously unpublished chapter on 'Psychological Gesture', translated into English by the celebrated director Andrei Malaev - Babel; a new biographical overview by Mala Powers; and a foreword by Simon Callow.
This book is a vital text for actors and directors including acting and theatre history students.
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;
Review :
'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.
'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
'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'
