The Best Acting Books For You

I wanted to include on the Alchemist a reading list of sorts. Just like when you were in school, these should serve as your list of text books. This list is full, in my opinion, of only the best books written on the art of acting and the theatre in general. You can learn a lot from any of these books and it doesn’t matter where you begin. Just pick one book of this list and dive into it. They say the best way to learn acting is through experience, but it never hurts to take lessons from the people who really know. So go pick out a few of these books from your local library and give them a read, because these are written by the teachers who know more about this process than you or I could hope to know.

Without further ado:

The Art of Acting by Stella Adler - One of the finest acting books I’ve read, Stella Adler and I share a great many views.
On Acting by Sanford Meisner - A contemporary and costar of Stella Adler, Meisner takes a very honest and truthful approach to acting.
Respect for Acting by Uta Hagen - One of the original books on acting. This is a must for every actor.
An Actor Prepares - Anything by Constantine Stanislavski is something you should read. You may disagree with his “method” but first you have to learn it.
Tips Ideas for Actors by Jon Jory - Quite a few little nuggets on the craft. Best for new actors, but still some interesting gems even for the experienced.
Audition by Michael Shurtleff - Own, read it, love it. This is a book every actor must read many, many times.
Strasberg at The Actors StudioEd.by Robert H. Hethmon - Lee Strasberg created the famous Actors Studio, and while he and Meisner disagree on many things, you cannot go without learning from Strasberg.
Living Theatre by Wilson & Goldfarb - Learn as much theatre history as you can. You must know where you come from to understand your art.
Stage Managing and Theatre Ettiquette by Linda Apperson - Even if you never want to work tech, you should read this book to learn everything they do for you. Appreciation is everything.
Movement for ActorsEd. by Nicole Potter - Fabulous essays on how to use your instrument as an actor.

So there you have it. I’ll add more books as I discover them for myself, but this is a good start. For now, go discover for yourselves what the great masters had to say. Learn from their lifetimes of experience, nothing will help you more.

Until next time, Sin Boldly!

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