An Actor Prepares

by Constantin Stanislavski

the theatre, on account of its publicity and spectacular side, attracts many people who merely want to capitalize their beauty or make careers. They take advantage of the ignorance of the public, its perverted taste, favouritism, intrigues, false success, and many other means which have no relation to creative art. These exploiters are the deadliest enemies of art.

‘you must make up your mind, once and for all, did you come here to serve art, and to make sacrifices for its sake, or to exploit your own personal ends?

‘Side by side we see moments of living a part, representing the part, mechanical acting and exploitation. That is why it is so necessary for actors to recognize the boundaries of art.