Book excerpt: This book features 27 lessons Michael Chekhov delivered to acting students between 1936-1939. More than a book of exercises, Chekhov addresses what it means to be a teacher. In addition to offering a series of lessons in concentration and atmosphere, he discusses how to prepare the body and spirit to enter the studio. He speaks candidly of challenges that face (student) actors and sheds light on the many influences that shape his psycho-physical technique. Constantine Stanislavsky, Eyvgeny Vakhtangov, Uday Shankar and Rudolf Steiner are discussed, among others.