Konstantin Sergeyevich Alekseyev (Stanislavski), founder and director, along with Nemirovich-Danchenko, of the Moscow Art Theatre, is recognized as one of the great actors, directors, and theorists of theatrical art. Since the founding of the Art Theatre in 1898, Stanislavski has vital and radically influenced theater in Russia. In the book An Actor Prepares, Stanislavski describes the preparation of the new actor for life in the theater and how, step by step, he is guided in his work. One can easily distinguish under the fantastic name of Torchov the master of the Russian Stage, as well as penetrate the "System" of the great master. "The profession of an actor is a brilliant career for those who dedicate themselves to it and understand it, seeing it in the light of truth. If an actor does not do this, it will be detrimental to him, for it will render him a deformed creature. If theater cannot refine you, make you better, then you must leave it."