Sanford Meisner on Acting

By: Sanford Meisner, Dennis Longwell, Sydney Pollack - introduction

Narrated by: Jason Culp, Arthur Morey, Mark Bramhall

Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Sanford Meisner was one of the best known and beloved teachers of acting in the country. This audiobook follows one of his acting classes for 15 months, beginning with the most rudimentary exercises and ending with affecting and polished scenes from contemporary American plays. Written in collaboration with Dennis Longwell, it is essential listening for beginning and professional actors alike. Throughout this audiobooks, Meisner is a delight - always empathizing with his students and urging them onward, provoking emotion, laughter, and growing technical mastery from his charges. 

With an introduction by Sydney Pollack, director of Out of Africa and Tootsie, who worked with Meisner for five years.

"This book should be read by anyone who wants to act or even appreciate what acting involves. Like Meisner's way of teaching, it is the straight goods." (Arthur Miller)

"If there is a key to good acting, this one is it, above all others. Actors, young and not so young, will find inspiration and excitement in this book." (Gregory Peck)

Read by Jason Culp, Arthur Morey, and Mark Bramhall

©1987 Sanford Meisner, Dennis Longwell, Sydney Pollack (P)2020 Random House Audio

Surprisingly outstanding as an audiobook

I didn't realize that the book is largely the story of one of Meisner's classes told as dialogue with specific examples. The effect was stunning. One suggestion, however: don't listen to it all at once, otherwise you're essentially digesting a year-long course for professional actors in a matter of weeks/days. I would say take a chapter a week. I definitely spaced out and didn't get the full benefit in that sense. But seriously. Give it a listen.

Extremely Helpful

After taking a few Meisner classes I really didn’t get it. This book makes it clear while also being inspirational. Great guidance on some of the finer points of becoming a full and complete actor.

A must read for aspiring actors.

Excellent book in every stage of acting experience, it brings knowledge, inspiration and enlightment. What an experience must have been to be taught by Mr. Meisner.

Best audio book I've heard so far!

It felt like being in the classroom with Sandy and being one of the students. I can't wait to hear it again.

not for the casual listener

I was highly motivated to get through this work because I never knew much about Misner's approach. I can't say that I know much more now, though there are nuggets of wisdom and inspiration scattered throughout the text. it is beautifully read, though if you aren't a practitioner of theater you won't really enjoy this.

Sheer genius! You're tansported to Meisner's class

The dialog between Meisner and his students makes you feel like you are auditing the class, like you're right there listening and learning, participating, taking notes, applying knowledge, trying, failing, succeeding, and becoming engrossed in the art of acting. This allows you to not only read the text but to see yourself in some of the studentsand it helps reinforce the teachings and foundational structure that are applicable to oither areas of your life so that you can be your true authentic self, which is the essence of acting, living out loud to the fullest . Going beyond the act of acting to discover the truest revelation of who you are, the emotive unadulterated you - raw, uncensored, unapologetic, fearless, vulnerable, confident, unrelenting, no holds bar.

This is just what I needed to change the trajectory of my creative being and transform my life. Thank you Mr. Meisner! Longwell's contribution to bringing your classroom back to life earns him a jewel in his crown.

Kim Chayil

Multiple reads a must

This material is challenging at best and requires a great deal of steeping to make headway. Useful if you can work in person with someone familiar with meisner techniques. But 10/10 recommend.

Great listen!

The performances in this book were outstanding. I learned so much from listening to the scenes acted out than when I read the book.

The Meisner Technique is amazing

It was mind blowing. I’ve heard and done some of the techniques exercises but as this is the source, it is explain it incredibly well. I was mind blown.Although it’s good to listen because you get to have an overall idea, I believe it is better to buy it physical.

Essential material for all aspiring performers!

Meisner deconstructs the oversimplification of performance art with extraordinary ease. The idea is simple: To live authentically under pretend circumstances...but what does that mean? The purpose of the Meisner technique is to strip the performer of their bad habits and inhibitions so they may truly become the character. This book gives the feeling of being in a room with Sanford Meisner himself teaching you how to get out of your own way and to remove yourself from the equation.