I'm very new to acting, having spent twenty years in a career and finally pursuing something I've wanted since I was a teenager.

I've been reading "No Acting, Please" and "Irreverent Acting" by Eric Morris. "Intent to Live" by Larry Moss has been recommended.

Any suggestions that you can offer on the craft (not the business) would be helpful. Thanks.

There's a great book called "The Art of Acting" written by Howard Kissel and taken from classes taught by Stella Adler.

It's primarily about acting technique and it's like you're sitting in on a Stella class.

It's an easy read, without pretension and acting clihe'

My personal favorite is On the Technique of Acting by Michael Chekhov. If you're looking something that isn't based in Method training I think its great, and in general I think its a really inspired piece of work.

"Acting in Film" by Michael Caine -- a practical no-nonsense guide by one of the great actors himself; one of the best acting books out there in my opinion.

"Audition" by Michael Shurtleff (sp?). It's been around for ages, and it's not really just about auditioning - but about acting. Another classic that stands the test of time - practical and straightforward.

"A Practical Handbook for the Actor" - written by a bunch of people at the Atlantic Theater Company (David Mamet and William H Macy's theater company). Another succinct and no-nonsense approach.

"Intent to Live" by Larry Moss -- this seems to be a book that so many actors these days have read. What makes this book good is that his approach is a synthesis of the many different approaches (Meisner, Stella Adler, Chekhov, etc.) which is what most actors (and acting coaches) these days approach the craft.

Aside from that, where the real learning comes is in scene study, on stage, on set.

Good luck

Thank you all for your feedback and recommendations. I will be looking for each of these.

--bigleemarvinfan

Definitely read Audition by Michael Shurtleff. I also enjoyed Auditioning An Actor Friendly Guide by Joanna Merlin.

Here are a few books not yet mentioned:

The Actors Encyclopedia of Casting Directors
conversations with Casting Directors on what they look for in auditions

Anything by Bonnie Gillespie
Self-Management for Actors
Acting Qs
Casting Qs

How Not to Audition - I'm currently reading this and it's basically how not to screw up

The Actor Takes a Meeting - This is next on my reading list. It's about how to work the interview with agents, managers, casting directors, etc.

Audition is good I'm actually reading that now.

Also Respect For Acting by Uta Hagen

quote:

"Audition" by Michael Shurtleff (sp?). It's been around for ages, and it's not really just about auditioning - but about acting. Another classic that stands the test of time - practical and straightforward.

I'm glad you mentioned Audition. This is a wonderful, easy to read, practical guide.

all the books mentioned above are great!!
Heres a few more:
The NY agent book
How to Sell Yourself as an Actor
The LA agent book (all by K Callan)
"Power of the Actor" Ivanna Chubbuck
"An Actor Prepares"
"Creating a Role"
"Building a character"
(pretty much anything by Stanislavski)
"Inside the Actors Studio" Lee Strasburg (recorded sessions)
"The Empty Space" Peter Brook
Theres many more, but I can't think of them right now. Everyone gave GREAT examples.

Audition! Definitely.

" A Passion For Acting" by Allan Miller

In its subtitle it says "Exploring the creative process".

And this is what this book does wonderfully. Allan Miller has coached many great actors, like Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand.

It's a book that is not for a fast read.

I also love "The Intent To Live" by Larry Moss, which has a subtitle called "Achieving your true potential as an actor".

I just picked up "The Actor's Art and Craft-- William Esper teaches The Meisner Technique" by William Esper and Damon DiMarco... it's really good so far