The Art of Acting

by Stella Adler

Stella Adler was one of the 20th Century's greatest figures. She is arguably the most important teacher of acting in American history. Over her long career, both in New York and Hollywood, she offered her vast acting knowledge to generations of actors, including Marlon Brando, Warren Beatty, and Robert De Niro. The great voice finally ended in the early Nineties, but her decades of experience and teaching have been brilliantly caught and encapsulated by Howard Kissel in the twenty-two lessons in this book.

Genres: Theatre, Nonfiction, Film, Art, Drama, Self Help, Unfinished

288 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2000

About the author

Stella Adler was an American actress and celebrated acting teacher.

Reviews

[Gideon Hodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the greatest theorist on modern realism. The one teacher who actually bothered to study with Stanislavski before trying to tell everyone else what he taught.

Also had a significant acting background of her own before meeting with Stanislavski, as well as being the daughter of the renowned Jacob Adler who had made a study of people and their behavioral quirks.

Her technique is for the imaginative actor that chooses to immerse in the story and the craft.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank Langella was at a local art-house theater (the Burns) around 2013 or so and made it clear he held Stella Adler in high regard and Lee Strasberg in something beneath contempt. I've been fascinated by that "split" ever since. Both Adler and Strasberg lay claim to a heritage from Stanislavski - and "the Method," a term which seems like it was used more by Lee Strasberg. Strasberg emphasized emotional memory, and Stella Adler emphasized imagination. "Work on ten actions foreign to your personality. Do this to escape from your personality restriction, presumably one reason you wanted to be an actor in the first place." She believed that the theater could do more for society than just serve as a diversion. Noble, I think. A very interesting read, that gets deeper as it goes on.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal. Even if you aren't studying to be an actor it is still a good read. She has a way with words. It also has a self-help sense to it.

[Edward O'Neill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhere between lessons, preaching and rants.

Stella Adler, inspiration to generations of actors, has something important to say.

Her insights are sharp, and her vision lofty.

Serious students of theater and acting will enjoy.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredibly excited and also deeply terrified for the fall

[Salvador Ibarra · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Art of Acting” by Stella Adler was truly a great book to read. It has inspired me to pursue a fun career in acting. It also showed me how to truly appreciate life and what it has to offer.
The book is presented in a way that makes you feel that you are physically present in her class because of its structure and tense. Stella Adler is speaking to you and the rest of her class, and asks you to work on exercises to develop your own voice. This ultimately makes you feel like her real student, and in some instances, making me feel pretty intimidated because I was in the presence of one of the most influential teachers and mentors in the industry.

I felt that each chapter in the book managed to convey Adler's message clearly and powerfully. Stella Adler speaks on how she can’t make you become an actor, she could only reveal that path, but it is all up to you if you want to make that effort, and follow it. She also taught me to become a better person, and live life as a unique individual who truly loves and appreciates the wondrous world around me. Showing how everything has a meaning and purpose. “As actors, you must realize that what you see is a miracle simply because it exists.” (Adler 48). Everything has meaning and purpose, because its been there longer than you have, and that is what fuels your imagination.

“The Art Of Acting” by Stella Adler was a phenomenal book to read. It gave me a powerful insight on acting and the art itself. It also served as a life lesson. It taught me how to truly appreciate the life that surrounds me, and how to be a generous person who gives and doesn’t hoard out of greed. I truly recommend this book who has an interest in acting, or an interest in literature and life in general. This is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

[Tslyklu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her acting theory is basically grounded in discriminating details about your situation and recognizing the social significance of those details so that you can elevate the piece. Also her acting theory is for realism, and she believes that the only way to act realism is to play the poetry, so elevation is huge for her-- but only if it comes from understanding of your responsibility. Her classroom was in the New York City Center and she sat on a throne.

Along with her lectures she usually had students read "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran and "Letters to a Young Poet" by Rilke, which are very mystical but clarify a lot of what she bases her assertions on, and I think well worth reading on their own.

"Have confidence in yourself. Don't feel it's your destiny to be more refuse: Free yourself! You must feel you're worthy of bigger-than-life ideas. You must have a nobility of mind, a sense of your own power. [...] You must believe you deserve to dress and think like aristocrats. You wear a crown, not a baseball cap. No one ever disposes of a crown."
--Stella Adler, The Art of Acting

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like a bible for any actor, whether they be professional or a hobbyist. A lot of what Adler gives as examples for physical or mental practice of character building is old-school. So you simply translate it into a modern situation (sounds obvious I know, but some examples; given the times she lived in, made me laugh).

For me personally it was full of such valuable information I did something I usually never do with a new book; I highlighted large portions. I definitely recommend and would read it again.

[Joshua Blair · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best book on acting. Stella puts undue emphasis on given circumstances at the expense of a personal, emotional involvement from the actor. Stanislavsky, the father of The Method, had a broader and more accurate view of the actor's role than Stella would lead one to believe.

She is, in many ways, the anti-Strasberg, and the unnecessary rift between the two has led to an unhelpful pendulum swing between "sense memory" and "given circumstances." In truth, the actor should use both.

[Aly Zhang · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best acting 'manuals' I've read! No longer do I feel embarrassed or ashamed of aspiring to be an actor. She thrusts poetry, history, dreams and the reflection of the world itself into acting, and I am utterly, completely inspired.

[Nabilah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madam Adler made me feel like I can be an actor if I turn my life around and trust her and only her.

[Gabriel Wilson Ness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Har kjempa meg gjennom denne i flere år nå fordi jeg vet det er bra læring, men den dama går meg på fakkings NERVENE ass. Hun har åpenbart mange veldig gode poeng, og er brilliant og big og alt det der, men hun skriver det på en så overlegen måte at jeg får helt avsmak. Og nå er jeg endelig ferdig.

Så:
Har jeg lært noe? … Jada.
Kommer jeg til å plukke den opp igjen? Nei.
Skal den gjemmes bort for alltid? Kanskje.

[Víctor Iván López Espíritu Santo · Rating 4 out of 5]

“El Arte de Actuar” de Stella Adler, publicado por primera vez en el 2000, traducido y publicado al castellano por Alba Editorial (Artes Escénicas). Esta obra documenta una serie de clases de actuación que dictó la prestigiosa pedagoga y actriz estadounidense Stela Adler, quien perteneció a una gran dinastía teatral y al Group of Theatre de Nueva York y fue partícipe junto a Lee Strasberg, Utah Hagen, Sandford Meissner o Robert Lewis en la creación de un sistema y estilo pedagógico en la formación actoral contemporánea. Dividida en 22 clases, este libro va hilando los puntos más importantes que según Adler, requiere ser consciente un actor para poder forjarse un camino que le permita acceder a la ficción con honestidad y talento. Un punto importante que engloba en general los principios de toda su técnica, es el uso de la imaginación y la creatividad como base para conseguir los controles interpretativos, a través de las acciones, justificaciones y la encarnación de los personajes. Sus principios me parecen fundamentos básicos para entender al arte del actor y recomiendo mucho su lectura como material de estudio y reflexión. Mucha gente me ha preguntado por qué no subo reseñas sobre teatro, la verdad está en que he buscado en la literatura una contraparte con la teatralidad, sobre todo después de haber realizado por mucho tiempo investigación para mi tesis de doctorado (que está totalmente ligada a la teatralidad) sin embargo, hay lecturas fascinantes como esta, que, sin duda, me enriquecen en todos los sentidos, por eso la recomiendo. #ElArtedeActuar #StellaAdler #teatro #theatre #acting #theartofacting #readersofinstagram #reseñadelibro #reseñaliteraria #victorthereader

[Liam Semple · Rating 2 out of 5]

I in no way want to imply that Stella Adler is not a phenomenal acting coach. She is one of the major successors of Konstantin Stanislavski and trained such no-names as Marlon Brando.

Acting is an unusually personal profession, even within the creative world. The Art of Acting, accordingly, is as much a guide to general living as it is a guide to learning how to approach acting characters.

I found the book easy to read, but difficult to finish. This is because it isn't really a book at all—it's a transcript of an acting course. After a while, it's hard to engage with the material as a reader (and not as a pupil in a classroom completing all the assignments). I would much prefer an acting instruction that is intended to be read. Well, obviously an acting class is ideal, but as far as books go, I'd prefer an actual book.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read and preparation for those interested in one of the main American theater (-er not -re ) film acting method teachers of the 20th century, the others being Strassberg, Meisner, and Stanislvaski. I'm firmly convinced that the lessons of acting are for everybody, not just for professional actors. This is stuff that enriches and nourishes your personal and professional life in general, particularly for the "plugged-in" generation that is quickly losing touch with rich human interaction opportunities. Acting is for human beings, not just celeb wannabes!

[Robbie Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels like you’re in one of Stella’s classes. This is a practical technique that is easy to digest, easy to explain, but like with any craft, will take a lot of time and preparation to master. Stella gives you the tools to prepare and “get out of your own way” when you’re acting. The last couple of chapters were a bit more meandering and not as helpful as the rest of the book. I also would have made the Afterword the Foreword.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book into the world of acting. I picked up this book since it was recommended by Bob Proctor on one of his programs, saying "if you want to change and be someone else, why not train on being someone else". That thought stuck with me and made a lot of sense, it's true. Why not, decided to read the book and I'm glad I did.

[Ender Yurtoğlu]

"Aktörlük Sanatı"

[Ian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cool rant, bro. Gimme a call when you adapt it into a book.

[Jordan Hull]

imagination vs personalization is the actor’s line to perpetually teeter.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was good but not technical

[belleabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Take your walk. Most of you, when you walk, are saying, ‘I’m young. I’m good looking. I’m stupid. Help me, somebody.’“

She has such a way with words!

Though (obviously) harsh at times, I appreciate Stella’s bluntness and honesty with her students. So much of her method makes sense now, having studied it for two years, and it was nice to be reminded of old exercises I learned in my first term at Adler. I skimmed this book a few years ago but finally read it cover to cover over winter break.

[Zumrud Huseynova · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Work on ten actions foreign to your personality. Do this to escape from your personality restrictions”

“Don't be only one-sided, sweet, nice, good. Get rid of being average. Find the killer in you.”

[Turok Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The epilogue says it all, this book captures a certain person's personality. Miss Adler, as she requires you call her to be her student, must have been an intensely bright person. She has big ideas, and sees art as something steeped in ceremony, culture, and reverence for thousands of years which is being lost. Miss Adler believes an actor doesn't act if he does actions. Her thinking along with Konstantin Stanislavski are based upon: faking it until you make it, that the actor uses their imagination, steeps themselves deeply into the big themes of a writer's work, functions at the highest levels of physical and mental function so as to bring forth the reverence for the art required. Miss Adler believes in the theatre, and the theatre isn't method acting because that isn't acting that's being. She believes the key to acting is ideas, understanding fundamentally how a person, a character, the writer, the time period view themselves. If one does their work, uses their imagination, costume, actions, and practices their craft they become the character and bring truth to the performance. It's a slow read. Not difficult in language, but full of ideas at every paragraph and to do the book well one should do the exercises. This book asks a lot of its reader, but her ideas and voice are well worth knowing.

[Hai Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Stella Adler is a phenomenal acting coach. I think it’s extremely difficult for any book to capture her brilliance. I feel as if you need to watch her teach live in person to truly capture the mastery of her classes.

She uses quotes and motivational speeches to cement her point to her acting class and often comes across as the pantomime villain. Her sayings are quite cryptic and reflect her techniques in the art of acting but she doesn’t just teach her class on how to act but how to be a better person overall. She does sometimes speak in riddles to make her class really think.

The only problem I had with the book was how it was written. I found it difficult to engage with it at times but it wasn’t due to the content but how it was written. I guess it’s hard for any writer to capture everything Stella Adler taught and make it engaging as most of the book were from previous notes Stella had wrote and left in her room.

Highly recommended.

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A compendium of Stella Adler's lectures in the 1980's at her acting studio comprising her philosophy on acting and living. Stella was one of the few Americans to actually have studied with the great Stanislavski in Paris and that in and of itself gave her more authority than many who claimed to teach his so called "method" (i.e. Mr. Strasberg) to speak about it to her students. Adler and her one time husband , Harold Clurman (Founder of the Group Theater) were what might be considered the pioneers of American Realistic Acting which we know today (Brando, DeNiro, Pacino). Stella also credits her father, the renowned actor of the Yiddish theater, Jacob Adler, at whose knee she learned the most important technique, always be observing.

Any acting student should be familiar with Stella Adler, as should anyone interested in the history of the American theater.

[Natalia Stornello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stella Adler’s method is REVOLUTIONARY. Everything she spoke about really spoke to me as an actor. She really believes in independence and self-worth. I love her work on actions, and how actions really define a character more than the words they speak. But, with dialogue, she goes into detail about making it truthful, not only for yourself, but for the audience. She says that if you don’t believe the circumstances, neither will the audience. I feel like my whole perspective on acting has done a complete 180°. The way the book was written is amazing, as well. It feels like you’re in the room when she’s teaching. Her personality came through very clearly through the writing, and I felt a connection. I wanted to learn, I wanted to apply myself. I will definitely be using this book (and The Method) throughout my lifetime.

[WriteKnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 of 5 stars – A Staple For Every Actor’s Bookshelf.

Stella Adler’s The Art of Acting is a no-nonsense, straightforward tome of wisdom and advice on acting.

I found the style and conversational way in which the book is written refreshing and insightful. However, I understand this particular style isn’t for everyone.

You get the wisdom of the business straight from the master’s mouth. She expresses her thoughts in frank, straightforward manner and with dogged practicality. From my experiences as an actor, there is so much actor #realtalk and delicious bon mots.

A book every actor should at least read, if not make a staple of their bookshelf as a refresher of the biz.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very honoring recount of the teachings of one of the greatest acting teachers / theorists in history. The author in the end notes that there must be a sense of Stella’s words, the weight, power, and aristocracy in them, to understand her and her technique. And thus this book is nothing but her own words. The reader gets as close of a sense as they can that they are in the classroom with the students Stella was addressing, and, as she has long been deceased, it is one of the only ways in modern times in which you can truly understand her.

Stella was a teacher, not only of acting, but of something greater. And this book certainly conveys this.

[Josephine Croft · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was expecting a book that talked about acting technique and gave actual examples on how to introduce ideas I could use. Stella is clearly an intelligent woman, who is articulate and her observations are very in-depth. However this book is just a stream of consciousness, which seems to have been transcribed from a bunch of her classes. The editing is VERY bad, there are so many mistakes, I wonder if anyone looked over it at all. There is no grouping together of ideas, no linear anything, just a bunch of random words. Some paragraphs so random that I would describe them as fanciful absurdest modern art poetry.