2. Konstantin Stanislavski (1863-1938)
Father of modern acting techniques
Writer of the most influential acting lessons in modern times
Together with Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, he created the Moscow
Art Theater (MAT) In 1898
3. Stanislavskis Background
Born Konstantin SergeyevichAlekseyev, into an affluent and cultured
Russian family (his father was a wealthy merchant)
From a very early age he began putting on small plays and musical
pieces with his brothers and sisters, for family guests at his
familys estate
4. The Alekseyev Circle, a group of amateur players largely
recruited from Stanislavskis immediate family provided the young
Stanislavski with his first school of dramatic theory
Visiting actors from Moscow and from foreign companies visited the
country estate and participated in the productions
Stanislavski was able to learn from these actors, finding more ways
to create and sustain characters
5. Although his aristocratic background prevented him from
going professional, he did play important roles in major
professional productions in his early life, assuming a stage name
to avoid embarrassment for his family
Two personal traits helped him as he worked to create his method
style of acting:
His focused study of other actors, and ability to assimilate their
styles;
His ability to honestly review his own imperfections and adapt
himself
6. In 1890, Stanislavski saw a production by the Meiningen
players (a German acting company)
From this experience, he learned:
The power of crowd scenes
Importance of overall mood
Value of a rigid acting discipline
7. Moscow Art Theatre
The partnership between Stanislavski and with Vladimir
Nemirovich-Danchenko began on June 22, 1897, after a now-famous
eighteen-hour marathon discussion of the principles of the ideal
theater.
They determined that the Moscow Art theatre would be created, and
they chose their playwright a successful author of short stories:
Anton Chekhov
From this point onward, Chekhovs name was forever linked with the
Moscow Art Theatre
8. Moscow Art Theatre
The production of Chekhovs play The Sea Gull marked the beginning
of the successful relationship between Stanislavski and the
playwright
9. Stanisklavski Technique
Stanislavski studied how people acted in everyday life, then found
a way to bring this genuineness onstage .
He developed a series of exercises and techniques for the actor to
follow. These included the following:
Relaxation: Involved removal of all tension; performer must attain
a state of physical and vocal relaxation
Concentration and Observation: Focus that should be placed on one
object, person or event
Specificity: Concrete details, rather than generalities in acting
are key
10. Techniques
Inner Truth: it is a way for characters to express, possibly
non-verbally, their inner feelings. Using the Magic If, they can
imagine how they would feel in certain situations
What? Why? How?: An actors physical actions must link to these
three questions
Through Line of a Role: Continuity, or superobjective of a
character; involved dividing scenes into beats; the objectives of
each beat should link to develop a through line for a
character
Ensemble playing: the interaction of all cast members
11. Stanislavski Quote:
"Bring yourself to the part of taking hold of a role, as if it were
your own life. Speak for your character in your own person. When
you sense this real kinship to your part, your newly created being
will become soul of your soul, flesh of your flesh."