Preface: Acting to Understand. Using this Text. Using this Edition. 1. Acting Acknowledged. 2. Relaxed Readiness: Calm Enough, Yet Energized Enough to Do Your Best. 3. Individual Inventory: Knowing Enough About Yourself to Use Everything You Have. 4. Stanislavski's System: A Complete Process for Characterization. 5. Stanislavski Stretched: The System Twisted and Expanded. 6. Truth/Technique: Balancing Spontaneity with Consistency. 7. Scene Study: Finding Character through Script. 8. Performance Process: What to Expect from First Audition through Closing Night. 9. Acting Anticipated: Setting Goals for Growth and Satisfaction. Appendix A: My Acting History. Appendix B: Acting Observed. Appendix C: Physical Life Observation. Appendix D: Vocal Life Observation. Appendix E: Open Scene Scenarios. Appendix F: Open Scene Score. Appendix G: Stanislavski Observation. Appendix H: Script Analysis. Appendix I: Character Analysis. Appendix J: Audition Observation. Appendix K: Sample Scene: The Rehearsal.