A Director's Guide to Stanislavsky's Active Analysis

A Director's Guide to Stanislavsky's Active Analysis describes Active Analysis, the innovative rehearsal method Stanislavsky formulated in his final years. By uniting 'mental analysis' and 'études', Active Analysis puts an end to the problem of mind-body dualism and formalized text memorization that traditional rehearsal methods foster. The book describes Active Analysis both practically and conceptually; Part One guides the reader through the entire process of Active Analysis, using A Midsummer Night's Dream as a practical reference point. The inspiration here is the work of the Russian director Anatoly Efros, whose pioneering work led the way for a reawakening of theatre in post-Soviet Russia. Part Two is the first English translation of Maria Knebel's foundational article about Active Analysis. Knebel was hand-selected by Stanislavsky to carry his final work forward in unadulterated form for succeeding generations of directors and actors. A Director's Guide to Stanislavsky's Active Analysis provides the first detailed explanation of Active Analysis from the director's perspective, while also meeting the needs of actors who seek to enhance their creative involvement in the process of play production.

James Thomas, Professor and Graduate Officer at Wayne State University, Detroit, is a graduate of St. Ambrose College (BA), Villanova University (MA), and the University of Texas at Austin (PhD). He came to WSU from Florida State University, where he was Associate Dean of the School of Theatre. His most recent directing credits include Marriage, The Seagull, The Inspector General, and Death of a Salesman at the Hilberry Theatre, and The Skin of Our Teeth, A Flea in Her Ear, and Ah-Wilderness! at the Bonstelle Theatre. His publications include Script Analysis for Actors, Directors and Designers, The Art of the Actor-Manager: Wilson Barrett and the Victorian Theatre, and translations of The Joy of Rehearsal, The Craft of Rehearsal, and Beyond Rehearsal by Russian director Anatoly Efros. He is also Director of the department's Summer Study Abroad Program with the Moscow Art Theatre School.

Preface Introduction PART 1: A DIRECTOR'S WORK WITH ACTIVE ANALYSIS I. Choosing the Play II. Director's Plan: General Challenges III. Director's Plan: Action Analysis IV. An Introductory Conversation with Stanislavsky about Active Analysis V. Active Analysis in Rehearsal VI. Further Active Analysis and Testing VII. Conclusion: Rehearsal Realities PART 2: ACTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE PLAY AND THE ROLE, by Maria Knebel Preface I. General Principles of Active Analysis II. Details are Important III. Main Advantages of Active Analysis IV. Beyond Etudes V. Active Analysis Compared to the Method of Physical Actions VI. Conclusion Bibliography