Are we REQUIRED to read these??? No! BUT they can indeed be helpful if you are looking for a little extra OOMPH in your understanding of acting and of theater overall.
In my quest to become a better actor and–more importantly, though sometimes (most of the time), I forget– to become a well-rounded person, I am trying to immerse myself in a variety of texts…aside from scripts.
And, with the Holidays quickly approaching (as well as second semester riding closely behind), what better gift ideas for an actor than a little extra knowledge for their brains!
This list, of course, is not exhaustive, and while I have not read every book on this list, I have offered my insight into the ones that I have read and especially those that resonated with me. Happy reading!
Introduction Texts
An Introduction to the Art of Theatre by Marsh Cassady
- If you want a well-rounded introduction to theater–history, classical texts,
Acting is Believing by Kenneth L. Stilson
- If reading Stanislavski’s personal writings doesn’t sound like a treat to you, then this book, written specifically for college-aged actors meant to introduce them into their respective acting programs, is sure to immerse you into your Stanislavski beginnings.
Acting (Theory, Technique, Application, Tips & Insights)
*These books are the foundations of acting theory, and Backstage has fantastic articles introducing what each of these specific theories value.
An Actor Prepares by Constantin Stanislavski*
Respect for Acting & Challenge for the Actor by Uta Hagen*
On Acting by Sanford Meisner*
The Art of Acting by Stella Adler*
To the Actor by Michael Chekhov*
Tips, Ideas for Actors by Jon Jory
- My fellow MT friend Michelle says that this book is written with 1 page = 1 thought: it contains easily digestible personal thoughts from Jon Jory. Michelle calls Jon Jory’s books “non-committal,” so if you need to put it down for a while, you can pick up right where you left off!
The Power of the Actor, The Chubbuck Technique by Ivana Chubbuck
- This book continues in the Stanislavski technique, diving deeper into its foundations, written with modern examples for the more contemporary actor–though all of these techniques can be used on every acting piece.
Auditioning
Audition by Michael Shurtleff
- This is one of those books that my professors kept yelling at us to read my freshman year, and finally, FINALLY, when quarantine hit and I had nothing else to do–I read Audition. And…wow. Turns out the people we pay to tell us how to be better at what we do know what they’re talking about. (And Bob Fosse’s introduction is truly one that thoroughly tickled me.)
How to get the part without falling apart by Margie Haber
Directing (Theory, Technique, Application, Tips & Insights)
Directing Actors, creating memorable performances for film and television by Judith Weston
- My fellow MT friend Michelle, who is also a director & playwright, says this book is one of the more in-depth books on directing, a great way of teaching actors how to be great actors through the eyes of a director (which is SUPER helpful to understand!) The vocab of the book is not unknown to actors–you don’t have to be a director to understand this book.
Tips, Ideas for Directors by Jon Jory
Technical theater
- The back stage guide to stage management, traditional and new methods for running a show from first rehearsal to last performance by Thomas A. Kelly
Fiction
After Anatevka by Alexandra Silber
- For my die-hard Fiddler fans. I know you’re out there.
On Shakespeare
The Quality of Mercy, Reflections on Shakespeare by Peter Brook
Shakespeare’s Restless World, a Portrait of an Era in Twenty Objects by Neil MacGregor
Inspiration
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield
- This book single-handedly kicked me right out of my own way. It’s brutal, rough and tumbly, unafraid to throw you out into sea seemingly without a helping hand…seemingly, until you ask for it. This book makes you want to do the work–it makes you want the work, and only the work. Thank heaven above (and Steven Pressfield) for this book.
The Artist’s Way, a spiritual path to higher creativity by Julia Cameron
- I love this book. It is tender. I come back to it when I need a little spiritual pick-me-up, when I need to remember that art is not as lofty as we make it out to be, that spirituality is often closer to us than our own friends and family, that we must be the ones to reach out for ourselves.
Wolfpack, How to come together, unleash our power, and change the game by Abby Wambach
- “You were never Little Red Riding Hood, you were always the Wolf.” This quote speaks for the magic this book carries. I recommend this book for every woman, ever. For every person, ever.
Manifest, an illustrated & hand-written guide to discovering your own magic by Annie Tarasova
- Compact and created with love, this hand-drawn book-journal allows for self-prompts and areas to pencil in your own goals and manifestations, ideal for the artist who is self-directed and goal-oriented, while still wanting that connection to their spirituality.
I hope you all enjoyed this list of non-scripted books! Please do let me know of any other books that can be added to this list. We’ll keep this list as one to be amended.
<3, liv
Love to Liv 