The words and wisdom of Constantin Stanislavski:
You must be very careful in the use of a mirror (when trying to make sure that feelings are externally reflected). It teaches an actor to watch the outside rather than the inside of his soul, both in himself and in his part. (AP)
The words and wisdom of Constantin Stanislavski:
In our art [as actors] you must live the part every moment that you are playing it, and every time. Each time it is recreated, it must be lived afresh and incarnated afresh. (AP)
The words and wisdom of Constantin Stanislavski:
The organic bases of the laws of nature on which our art is founded will protect you in the future from going down the wrong path. Who knows under what directors, or in what theatres, you will work? Not everywhere, not with everyone will you find creative work based on nature. In the vast majority of theatres the actors and producers are constantly violating nature in the most shameless manner. (AP)
The words and wisdom of Constantin Stanislavski:
Even the externalizing of a role is greatly influenced by the subconscious. In fact no artificial, theatrical technique can even compare with the marvels that nature brings forth. (AP)
The words and wisdom of Constantin Stanislavski:
In order to express a most delicate and largely subconscious life it is necessary to have control of an unusually responsive, excellently prepared vocal and physical apparatus. This apparatus must be ready instantly and exactly to reproduce most delicate and all but intangible feelings with great sensitiveness and directness. (AP)
The words and wisdom of Constantin Stanislavski:
Our aim (as actors) is not only to create the life of a human spirit, but also to ‘express it in a beautiful, artistic form.’ An actor is under the obligation to live his part inwardly, and then to give his experience an external embodiment. I ask you to note especially that the dependence of the body on the soul is particularly important in our school of art.” (AP)
The words and wisdom of Constantin Stanislavski:
Plan your role consciously at first, then play it truthfully. At this point realism and even naturalism in the inner preparation of a part is essential, because it causes your subconscious to work and induces outbursts of inspiration. (AP)
The words and wisdom of Constantin Stanislavski:
(Think) about the inner side of a role, and how to create its spiritual life through the help of the internal process of living the part. You must live it by actually experiencing feelings that are analogous to it, each and every time you repeat the process of creating it. (AP)
The words and wisdom of Constantin Stanislavski:
Aside from the fact that it opens up avenues for inspiration, living the part helps the artist to carry out one of his main objectives. His job is not to present merely the external life of his character. He must fit his own human qualities to the life of this other person, and pour into it all of his own soul. The fundamental aim of our art is the creation of this inner life of a human spirit, and its expression in an artistic form. (AP)