The Power of the Actor: The Chubbuck Technique -- The 12-Step Acting Technique That Will Take You from Script to a Living, Breathing, Dynamic

As someone who has studied acting for the better part of his life, Mrs. Chubbuck's book comes as a breath of fresh air. Anyone who studies acting finds himself surrounded by teachers who preach techniques that sound great in the classroom or the lecture hall, but fail miserably onstage or in front of the camera. The actor always blames himself; if he fails, he tells himself it's because he hasn't worked hard enough...it's never that what he has learned simply doesn't work. Thankfully, Mrs. Chubbuck's book suffers from none of these problems. Yes, it's an excellent, entertaining read, and yes, the anecdotes about major stars whom she has coached are insightful and relevant, but the true strength of this book is in it's relentless pragmatism. There is nothing in this book that does not WORK; every word has been thoroughly tested against thousands of scripts from every imaginable genre of stage and screen. Mrs. Chubbuck's technique can take you from line readings and pre-conceived ideas into real human behavior; neurotic, fascinating and wild...in other words, the way people really are. This is, in my opinion, the most important book about the craft of acting written in the last 20 years. It doesn't discount the work of those teachers who have come before, but respectfully pulls it all into the 21st century in a way that has never been done before, and is desperately, desperately needed. Regardless of what you've studied, your work cannot help but be enriched by this technique. Five stars.

This book is the holy grail of books! I have never read something that is so beautifully written! This book doesn't teach you the power of acting it teaches you how to become fully alive in yourself! It teaches you how to awaken your life and bring it to life though the characters you play. Even if you don't act I would read this book. I don't ever write reviews but after reading this book I felt that not telling people how much this book has changed me would be a disservice to myself and so many others that can benefit from this wonderful work!!! This book makes sense of life in a way that is so simple, practical, and easy to apply to any and all characters you will play. The simple exercises are so distilled and right on its scary! If you want to be the best actor you can be BUY THIS BOOK. I did and while I'm not the best. I'm the best I can be!!! :)

I have studied with many acting teachers over the decades, and learned much from each. The best of them opened up my thinking about life, not just acting: Stella Adler, Joan Darling, Roy London -- these were the most inspiring. I got Ivana Chubbuck's book when I decided to return to acting after ten years off. I had quit, in part because when I did not have one of my brilliant teachers available when I was working, sometimes I would get stumped, especially with very small parts, or very bad scripts. The unique and brilliant things the great teachers had said in class was of no help on, say, a sitcom where I had to deliver one unfunny joke and try to make it funny. Ivana's book is so specific about what you can do with any part, any scene, any line, that you can't get stumped. No matter what. You might not be able to make the ungreat great, but you will at least know what to do! Her book led me to take her class, which is deliriously fun, challenging and inspiring. I have only been in her Master Class for a few weeks, but already I feel much more confident about my ability to tackle even the ungreat. And if I get something Great? WOW that will be fun, and not horribly anxiety producing as it sometimes used to be. For those who think her technique makes you have to "think too much," I disagree. Her technique gives you something to root yourself in that is real, visceral, and ACTIVE.

I can't go anywhere without this book....If you're really serious about being an actor you should get familiar with the Chubbuck technique...it has changed me as an actor and a as person...it empowers you! It gives you all you need to live a role.

"A degree in Theatre, professional acting work, being a company member of the Groundlings Comedy troupe...nothing has given me the insight and foundation to elevate my acting as much as "The Power of the Actor." The detailed, concise tools presented here provide the technique needed to take one's art to a new, unknown level. I recommend this book without hestitation for the novice to the established professional."