Acting Under the Circumstances: Variations on a Theme of Stanislavski : A Step-By-Step Approach to Playing a Part

by Richard Brestoff

From the author of The Great Acting Teachers and Their Methods, Under the Circumstances details a step-by-step approach to playing a part. Based on the work Constantine Stanislavski was using near the end of his life, we follow two actors as a teacher guides them through their parts in Henrik Ibsen's great play, A Doll House. Then we learn how techniques are used for monologues and cold readings. We learn how analysis stems from instinct, from experiencing the character's circumstances without becoming them or speaking their dialogue. Actors memorize "events" and not lines. This approach, never before so clearly explained or engagingly taught, gives actors, from novices to professionals, a reliable, creative, and innovative method for playing a part. Under the Circumstances is a book you will put to immediate use.

183 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1999

Reviews

[Trish Heinrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was simple, easy to follow, and was almost like looking into a class at SAS. It's great to pull out every once in a while and remind myself of the basics. it has a slightly different way of applying and practicing some of the things we learn in class, and some of those actually worked better for me, personally. I highly recommend it.

[Jennifer Worrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I heard writing fiction in deep third was like method acting. Although there is a lot of material I could skip over since I'm not an actor, screenwriter or playwright, there were some interesting things to think about regarding character development and putting yourself in your characters' shoes.