Kostya, who represents Stanislavski’s actor persona, is the protagonist and narrator of the journal. Like his fellow students, he seems to be a relative beginner to acting. In a sense, he is an ideal student. He is eager to learn, dedicated, and receptive. Although he questions what he doubts or doesn’t understand and sometimes makes errors in judgment, Kostya is flexible and buys wholeheartedly into Tortsov’s teaching. Through this dedication, Kostya is ultimately successful at becoming the type of actor that Tortsov is attempting to mold the students into. He follows directions and they are effective. Although he is a fictionalized rendition of Stanislavski, he serves as proof that the method works if one follows it studiously.  

Tortsov also represents Stanislavski, but as a master actor, director, and educator. He is also an actively working actor, as demonstrated when he leaves the class briefly for a tour, lending him additional credibility as an artist. Tortsov’s lessons are intricately and effectively structured. He is also calm and unruffled, even when students challenge him or he is faced with the unexpected. Tortsov admits to his students when he doesn’t know why something works but is steadfast in asserting that the system does in fact work.