Right from the start, the author emphasises: this is not a new method! It is a new approach to the profession, which ultimately requires a radical shift in thinking.
The first step is a paradoxical goal: to prepare for the work whilst remaining “unprepared”.

“A director may read everything about a play – and in doing so lose sight of the play itself.
He may find an idea – and stop looking for anything else.
He may gather so many answers that there is no room left for questions.

How can we prevent knowledge from closing the door to the unknown? How can we prevent experience from becoming habit? How can we leave room during the preparation process for what does not yet exist?”

The book presents two new methodological approaches to preparing a production, as well as over 50 exercises and tasks. They offer neither ready-made solutions nor do they determine the production in advance; on the contrary, they give it the opportunity to take on a different form – one that does not correspond to the director’s original vision.

For Jurij Alschitz, a performance is a living entity. Therefore, the task is not to force it to turn out as we expected, but to give it the opportunity to surprise us.

This book is aimed primarily at directors. However, actors will also find it interesting to learn how to prepare for a role without planning it in advance. For theatre educators and teachers, the book is a veritable treasure trove for exploring new teaching approaches, enabling them to prepare a lesson without knowing in advance how it will end.