The Way of the Actor: A Path to Knowledge and Power

by Brian Bates

For thousands of years, in traditional societies around the world, actors were seen as the guardians of intuitive wisdom, and the way of the actor was a path to knowledge and power. Brian Bates believes that this is still the case today - that actors and actresses fulfill an important function in our culture as modern-day seers and shamans. He portrays the actor as a creator of visions who transports spectators out of their habitual ways of being and leads them on a journey of self-discovery. Personal magnetism and charisma, intense body awareness, and psychic sensitivity are among the special powers that contribute to the actor's mystique. Citing the observations and experiences of over thirty famous performers - including Meryl Streep, Marlon Brando, Glenda Jackson, Liv Ullmann, Jack Nicholson, and Shirley MacLaine - the author also draws on extensive research in science, psychology, parapsychology, and Eastern and Western mysticism to explore the significance of the dramatic art. He not only shows how the magical world of stage and screen mirrors our lives, but also reveals how actors and actresses point the way to self-transformation for everyone. For, as he writes, "the way of the actor is not an esoteric discipline divorced from everyday life. It is everyday life, heightened and lived to the full, with an awareness of powers beyond understanding"

Genres: Theatre, Nonfiction

225 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Chris Kubik Cedeño · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight into a very tacit connection between intuited insights into the world and the form of acting/film/plays. It's something that seems so obvious and so present - in essence, Bates argues that actors, films, and plays help explore some of the unknown mysteries of our world in a way that allows us to comfortably live life. That's the basis of shamans - except, on their end, they answer(ed) much larger questions. The fact is, questions from shamans (maybe "will it rain?") to questions from films (from There Will Be Blood, maybe "what's the morality behind capitalism?") there's always going to be a need for someone to go out there and act it out and explore a hidden, mysterious region of emotion. Bates explores this and elucidates this topic very well.

[-kate Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

A path to knowledge and Power for any Artist

[Peter Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a quick look at this book and found it a useful insight into what actors do and what it means to us.It’s about 40 years old now so the actors quoted were stars then, some now dead but the message is still useful to aspiring actors and interested theatre and movie goers.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting psychology behind the dramatic arts.

[Floyd Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much appreciate the perspectives of this book. It helps to give voice to the credibility of acting.

[Michael Dobbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

life training and way of being in the world