Stanislavski's simple exercises fire the imagination, and help readers not only discover their own conception of reality but how to reproduce it as well.

[O]ne of the most inspired and inspiring manifestos of our art that I know. -- Richard Monette, Stratford artistic director

Constantin Stanislavski (1863-1938), arguably the most influential director in the history of the theater, was the founder of the renowned Moscow Art Theater. A pioneer of psychological realism and improvisation on the stage, he devoted his life to developing the performance techniques now emulated throughout the world.

1. The First Test 2. When Acting is an Art 3. Action 4. Imagination 5. Concentration of Attention 6. Relaxation of Muscles 7. Units and Objectives 8. Faith and a Sense of Truth 9. Emotion Memory 10. Communion 11. Adaptation 12. Inner Motive Forces 13. The Unbroken Line 14. The Inner Creative State 15. The Super-Objective 16. On the Threshold of the Subconscious Index