An Acrobat of the Heart: A Physical Approach to Acting Inspired by the Work
of Jerzy Grotowski
Written by Stephen Wangh
Afterword by Andre Gregory

When the renowned Polish director Jerzy Grotowski began his 1967 American workshop with the words "The actor will do, in public, what is considered impossible." his students were stunned. But within four weeks they themselves had experienced the "impossible."

In An Acrobat of the Heart, teacher-director-playwright Stephen Wangh reveals how Jerzy Grotowski's physical exercises can open a pathway to the actor's inner creativity. Drawing on Grotowski's insights and on the work of Stanislavski, Yoski Oida, and others, Wangh bridges the gap between rigorous physical training and practical scene and character technique. Wangh's own students give candid descriptions of their struggles and breakthroughs they encounter, and through their examples Wangh reveals how each of us can transform these remarkable lessons into a personal journey of artistic growth. Courageous, compelling, and lucid, An Acrobat of the Heart is an invaluable resource for actors, directors, and teachers alike.

"Wonderful. . . Stephen Wangh walks you through his remarkable grasp of Grotowski's teaching and thoughtfully places it in the context of Delsarte, Stanislavski, Meyerhold, and the American tradition. Best of all, the book is a useful guide for an actor's daily work in the studio."
ANNE BOGART, director

A master teacher who understands the most important discoveries of the twentieth century about the art of acting, Stephen Wangh takes the powerful work of Jerzy Grotowski and makes it accessible to American actors. An indispensable book for anyone studying moder theater."
MOISES KAUFMAN, playwright

STEPHAN WANGH studied with Jerzy Grotowski in 1967. Since 1973 he has taught acting in Europe, Boston, and New York, where he is currently Master Teacher at the Experimental Theatre Wing at New York University.

Publishing House: Vintage Books, New York 2000
SoftCover book measuring 5.2" x 8"
384 pages, illustrations
English Language Version

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