"The connections between politics, social currents, and acting techniques are drawn out in Beyond Method, Scott Balcerzak's illuminating book on Stella Adler's teachings and masculinity on screen. [. . .] Acting [. . .] is what it is in part because it announces itself as such. [This book] helps us to understand the amplitude of that announcement and find both the magic and labor in it."—Nicholas Forster, Cineaste

"Balcerzak's insightful, astute interpretations and observations across a range of media and actors make Beyond Method a dense read, richly rewarding the effort."—Diane Carson, Journal of Film and Video

"In Beyond Method: Stella Adler and the Male Actor, Scott Balcerzak skillfully highlights the role of Stella Adler (often eclipsed by that of Lee Strasberg, director of the Actors Studio) in training the white male actor. While Strasberg focused on mining the psychology of the performer, Adler (drawing on Stanislavskian theory) concentrated more on behaviorism, sociological observation, and bodily technique. Among her famous students that Balcerzak considers are Marlon Brando, Henry Winkler, and Mark Ruffalo—showing the range of Adler's pedagogy and appeal. A well-researched and well-written book that sets the record straight."—Lucy Fischer, Distinguished Professor of Film and Media Studies, University of Pittsburgh

"Balcerzak's brilliantly researched book will interest readers in many fields. It provides an introduction to legendary acting teacher Stella Adler, shows that performances thought to exemplify Method acting depend on her techniques, and considers celebrated portrayals of American masculinity as responses to the Cold War, late capitalism, and the post-suffrage era."—Cynthia Baron, Author of Modern Acting: the Lost Chapter of American Film and Theatre

"Beyond Method is an innovative approach to star and performance studies, offering insightful discussions of male acting, performing masculinity, Stella Adler's teaching, and the Method as it signified historically after the war. A major book!"—Steven Cohan, Author of Masked Men: Masculinity and the Movies in the Fifties