A Dream of Passion: The Development of the Method

Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Paul Newman, Dustin Hoffman, Dennis Hopper, Robert DeNiro, Marilyn Monroe, and Joanne Woodward-these are only a few of the many actors trained in "Method" acting by the great and legendary Lee Strasberg. This revolutionary theory of acting-developed by Stanislavsky and continued by Strasberg-has been a major influence on the art of acting in our time. During his last decade, Strasberg devoted himself to a work that would explain once and for all what The Method was and how it worked, as well as telling the story of its development and of the people involved with it. The result is a masterpiece of wisdom and guidance for anyone involved with the theater in any way. .

YA In this excellent resource for un derstanding ``the method,'' Strasberg explains how he discovered and devel oped what has become of the most de finitive method of training actors. Easy to read, it is written in an autobiograph ical style with non-technical language. YAs will be entranced by Strasberg's experiences with famous actors and his sharing of his fears and successes. A must for high-school students and teachers of drama. Clinton Carbon, Episcopal High School, Bellaire
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Noted director Strasberg (1901-1982) explores the nature of creativity in the acting process and provides the first authentic description of "The Method" as developed by Constantin Stanislavsky and continued by Strasberg himself in the Group Theatre and Actor's Studio. In this short work, he shows how Stanislavsky's teachings changed his life; describes his own discoveries and procedures; provides specific examples of the uses of imagination, tension, relaxation, emotional memory, anticipation and control; proposes various methods of training; comments on the acting styles of his contemporaries as well as on the nonrealistic styles of Antonin Artaud, Bertolt Brecht and Jerzy Grotowski. Essential reading for actors, directors and students of theater. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Strasberg's posthumous memoir traces the creation of his famous "Method," the most influential actor-training technique ever developed. At the beginning of his career, Strasberg embarked on a search for the sources of the actor's creativity and a means of consistently attaining emotional truth on stage. His solution, inspired by the work of Stanislavsky's Moscow Arts Theatre, was transmitted to a generation of actors at the Actor's Studio of New York. Strasberg's reminiscences are an exploration of the creative process that will reward all who are interested in the nature of inspiration. Essential for theater collections. Susan Thach Dean, Chicago P.L.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.