Constantin Stanislavski Quotes

Russia, Theatre Director
January 17, 1863 – August, 7, 1938.

Konstantin Sergeievich Stanislavski (né Alexeiev; Russian: Константи́н Серге́евич Станисла́вский; 17 January [O.S. 5 January] 1863 – 7 August 1938) was a seminal Russian theatre practitioner. He was widely recognised as an outstanding character actor and the many productions that he directed garnered a reputation as one of the leading theatre directors of his generation. His principal fame and influence, however, rests on his 'system' of actor training, preparation, and rehearsal technique.

Also known as Actor, Teacher

Do not try to push your way through to the front ranks of your profession; do not run after distinctions and rewards; but do your utmost to find an entry into the world of beauty.

Constantin Stanislavski
- World
Love the art in yourself and not yourself in the art.

Constantin Stanislavski
- Art

Remember: there are no small parts, only small actors.

Constantin Stanislavski
- Remember
- Small
We have as many planes of speech as does a painting planes of perspective which create perspective in a phrase. The most important word stands out most vividly defined in the very foreground of the sound plane. Less important words create a series of deeper planes.

Constantin Stanislavski
- Important
- Words
- Painting
The main factor in any form of creativeness is the life of a human spirit, that of the actor and his part, their joint feelings and subconscious creation.

Constantin Stanislavski
- Life
Our demands are simple, normal, and therefore they are difficult to satisfy. All we ask is that an actor on the stage live in accordance with natural laws.

Constantin Stanislavski
- Live
- Simple
Unless the theatre can ennoble you, make you a better person, you should flee from it.

Constantin Stanislavski
- Theatre
Create your own method. Don't depend slavishly on mine. Make up something that will work for you! But keep breaking traditions, I beg you.

Constantin Stanislavski
- Up
- Work

The greatest wisdom is to realize one's lack of it.

Constantin Stanislavski
- Wisdom
Talent is nothing but a prolonged period of attention and a shortened period of mental assimilation.

Constantin Stanislavski
- Attention
- Period