The Art of Acting, Book Review

Book review By Brittney L Dunn There are many different sources out there about acting and different techniques and methods. It can be very difficult knowing where to start. Below are some book/video reviews, which will greatly help you start. A huge tip is to do your reading. Read plays. Read all the plays you can. Try some of the classics, for example shows by Tennessee Williams, Arthur miller, Eugene O'Neil, etc. Not only will this broaden your knowledge, but also many times teachers make references to shows, and you will not understand what they are trying to teach you. Stella Adler: The Art of Acting. Stella Adler was one of the most influential people to the acting community. Not only was she one of the most talented actresses, she also was on of the best teachers. Stella Adler was the only American actor to study with the great Konstantin Stanislavski, who is known for being the creator of "Method Acting" or "The Method." The book, The Art of Acting, is a collection of twenty-two lessons she had taught. The first step is to learn all about ourselves and the other generations of people before us. According to this book, one of the most important things to develop is one's imagination. The thing that sets apart Adler's teaching from others is that she wants her students to become real human beings. It is a great book for anyone to read, because it teaches you so much, and opens you eyes to a world you never saw before. Acting and teaching were her passion and it shows. For any serious actor this is one of the best investments you can make. She gives you examples, techniques, and exercises to practice. She has taught people such as, Marlon Brando, Robert DeNiro, Warren Beatty, Harvey Keitel, Henry Winkler, and Matthew Modine, to name a very small few. Her words and wisdom captured in this book are truly and inspiration. She has forever left a mark on the acting community.