A Method to Their Madness

A Method to Their Madness

The History of the Actors Studio

by Foster Hirsch

240 pages· 2001· ISBN 9780786752287
Join Readfeed freeFind clubs reading this
Rate this book:

Browse books you can read free on Readfeed

No club is reading this yet — be the first to start one

Start a club free
About
For decades, in one small room on West Forty-fourth Street in Manhattan, Lee Strasberg ran the Actors Studio, where dozens of acclaimed actors absorbed a technique that became known as the "Method." Based on firsthand observations and numerous interviews, Hirsch's examination of the Studio's origins reveals how its graduates forever shaped the American stage and screen. A new introduction by the author studies the Actors Studio in the twenty-first century and places it in a modern context.

Discussion questions for A Method to Their Madness

Bring these to your book club — or discuss them with readers on Readfeed.

  1. 1

    The title "A Method to Their Madness" hints at the intense, perhaps even extreme, dedication of Method actors. How does Hirsch explore both the "madness" – the passionate, often personal investment – and the systematic "method" that underpins this approach to acting?

  2. 2

    Before reading this book, what were your preconceptions about "Method acting," and how has Hirsch's exploration of the Actors Studio either reinforced or challenged those ideas?

  3. 3

    Hirsch argues that the Actors Studio graduates "forever shaped the American stage and screen." What specific examples or arguments presented in the book most compellingly illustrate this profound and lasting impact?

Sign up free to see all 8 questions & discuss

Discuss A Method to Their Madness with other readers

Join or start a book club for A Method to Their Madness on Readfeed. Live chat, shared reading progress, and AI discussion questions — free to get started.

Sign up freeBrowse book clubs

Frequently asked questions

How do I join a book club for A Method to Their Madness?

Sign up free on Readfeed, then browse public clubs or start your own club with A Method to Their Madness as the current read. Invite friends with a share link and discuss together with live chat and AI discussion questions.

Can I discuss A Method to Their Madness with other readers online?

Yes. Readfeed book clubs let you chat live, share progress, and join discussions about A Method to Their Madness with readers worldwide — whether your club is virtual, in-person, or hybrid.

Is Readfeed free?

Yes. Creating an account and joining book clubs is free. Sign up to find readers who love the same books and start discussing today.