Strasberg's Method
A detailed examination of Lee Strasberg's Method acting as taught at the Actors Studio
Overview
Strasberg's Method by S. Loraine Hull provides a detailed analysis of Lee Strasberg's Method acting approach as practiced at the legendary Actors Studio. It covers sense memory, emotional memory, private moments, and the other core exercises that define the Method.
The book examines Strasberg's technique with academic rigor, placing it in historical context and explaining its relationship to Stanislavski's original system. Hull's analysis is thorough and respectful while maintaining critical objectivity.
How It Works
Valuable for actors who want to understand the Method in depth or who are considering studying at a Method-based program. It also provides important context for actors who encounter Method-trained colleagues and directors.
Available in paperback, typically priced between $15-18. A more academic text that rewards careful, engaged reading.
Who Uses It
Recommended for actors and students interested in understanding one of the most influential and controversial approaches to acting training. Regardless of where you stand on the Method, understanding it is essential. The Method has shaped some of the most celebrated performances in film history, from Marlon Brando and James Dean to Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, and understanding its principles provides crucial context for the broader landscape of American acting training. Hull's book is particularly valuable because it examines the Method with scholarly precision while remaining accessible to practitioners who want practical understanding rather than purely academic analysis. For actors who have heard conflicting claims about what the Method is and is not, this book provides definitive clarity.
Pricing & Plans
Strasberg's Method is available in paperback, typically priced between $15 and $18 for a new copy, with used copies frequently available for under $10. Digital editions are available for Kindle and other e-readers at approximately $10 to $14. The book is an academic text published by Citadel Press, and while it may not be stocked at every bookstore, it is readily available through online retailers and academic booksellers. Compared to the cost of attending even a single workshop at a Method-based studio — which could run hundreds of dollars — the book represents an extraordinarily affordable way to gain deep understanding of the approach. For students considering enrolling in a Method-based program, reading this book first could save significant time and money by helping them determine whether the approach is right for them.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
Hull's greatest achievement is bringing academic rigor to a subject that is often discussed in vague, mythologized, or polemical terms — her analysis of sense memory, emotional memory, and private moment exercises is precise, detailed, and grounded in observable practice rather than legend. The historical context she provides, tracing the Method from Stanislavski through the Group Theatre to the Actors Studio, illuminates how and why the technique evolved and helps readers understand the differences between what Stanislavski taught and what Strasberg developed. The book maintains a balanced, scholarly tone that neither uncritically celebrates nor dismissively critiques the Method, allowing readers to form their own informed opinions. Hull's detailed descriptions of the core exercises — particularly affective memory and sense memory — are clear enough to give readers a genuine understanding of what the practice involves. The book addresses the controversies surrounding the Method, including concerns about psychological safety and the emotional demands of the technique, in a thoughtful and measured way. For actors trained in other traditions, this book provides essential vocabulary for communicating with Method-trained directors and colleagues.
What Could Be Better
The academic writing style, while precise, can feel dry and dense compared to more conversational acting books, which may make it a challenging read for actors who prefer practical, workshop-style instruction. The book is primarily analytical rather than instructional — readers looking for step-by-step exercises they can practice will need to supplement it with more practice-oriented texts. Hull's respectful, balanced approach to the Method means the book may not satisfy readers who want either a full-throated defense or a sharp critique of Strasberg's approach. Some of the historical and theoretical context, while valuable for understanding, takes up significant page space that could have been devoted to more practical application. The book was written at a specific point in the Method's history and does not fully address more recent developments, criticisms, and adaptations of the technique. Additionally, without firsthand experience of Method training, some of the exercise descriptions may be difficult for readers to fully grasp from text alone.
Our Recommendation
If you are considering studying at a Method-based program such as the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, the Actors Studio, or any other studio that teaches affective memory and sense memory exercises, reading this book first is strongly recommended — it will give you a clear understanding of what to expect and help you evaluate whether the approach aligns with your temperament and goals. It is also essential reading for acting students and teachers who want a thorough understanding of one of the most influential and debated approaches in American acting history. If you are looking for a practical, exercise-based guide to the Method, pair this analytical text with Strasberg's own A Dream of Passion for the practitioner's perspective. Actors who are skeptical of or opposed to the Method should read this book precisely because it presents the technique fairly and may challenge preconceptions. For a broader survey of acting methods that includes but is not limited to Strasberg, consider Robert Cohen's Acting One.
Pro Tips
Approach this book as a study text rather than a casual read — take notes, highlight key concepts, and create your own glossary of Method terminology as you go. Pay particular attention to the distinction Hull draws between Stanislavski's system and Strasberg's Method, as this is one of the most commonly confused points in acting education. If you decide to pursue Method training after reading the book, seek out a program with experienced, ethical teachers who prioritize psychological safety alongside artistic rigor — the technique's emotional demands require responsible instruction. Use the historical context in the book to understand why different actors and teachers have such strong and often contradictory feelings about the Method. Discuss the book with fellow actors and teachers to test your understanding and hear different perspectives on the technique's strengths and limitations. If the academic format feels challenging, read it in short sections rather than attempting to power through, as the density of information rewards careful, reflective reading.