Konstantin Stanislavski 1863-1938

Stanislavski - The Deviser of a System.

Much has been written about Stanislavski (see Cooper and Mackey, Theatre Studies, for example), the deviser of a system which promoted radical changes in actor training and which continues to have an influence today. Reacting against the artificial acting styles of his contemporaries, Stanislavski argued that the aim of theatre was to be a truthfull expression of life on stage. Truthfull acting could be encouraged through exercises which developed the actors entire physical, emotional and spiritual being.

In 'An Actor Prepares', he advocated;

- Using the imagination to answer the questions 'who, what, why, when and where?' to build a specific physical and emotional profile of the character;

- Using the 'magic if' to ask: 'what would i do if those circumstances were real?';

- justifying the characters actions by asking 'What do i want?' where the answer provides the characters objective, motivating his or her action;

- Dividing the play into a series of 'units', each with seperate objectives to be analysed in detail;

- Linking these units by an unbroken through line, leading to an ultimate 'super-objective'. this ensures logical progression between all units within the play, and the matching of the physical acting style with the style of the play and the directors concept;

- Drawing on personal experiences and the emotion memory links which are to be found between actors and their characters. This enables actors to breathe life into the 'inner images' of their characters. At the same time, the actor maintains concious control of the character played;

- imagining an invisible so-called 'fourth wall' between the stage and the auditorium;

- daily relaxation exercises for the release of vocal and physical tension, in preperation for the physical and psychological demands of the performance.

(Mackey, S (1997) Practical Theatre; A Post 16 Approach, England : Stanley Thornes LTD)

an interview with 'stanislavski'

Research Elements

The below two links will guide you to information regarding Stanislavski and a naturalistic approach to theatre performance. These are just a few ideas for research. You should be applying self directed study to all aspects dicussed in class. This is an online resource to aid your studying. You will need to bring in your log books every week to show your work. This work will prove invaluable when applying to the text that will be discussed. Remember we cannot apply all study hours necessary for this unit during class. The remaining hours need to be applied with personal study and used when rehearsing for the performance to be held at the end of this unit - a date will be confirmed.

Exercise.

There is a video link on the bottom of this blog page, if it is not visable follow the link at the end of this post.
This video breaks down the system in an easier format. You should find this less difficult to interpret. Following the information given devise a mind map recalling all information learned so far. You need to have a strong understanding of naturalitic theatre to hold in comparison with the next practitioner studied..

This mind map should also be included within your log books.

Here is the link;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khcCvAe8wtg

Exercise.

Click on the below link and read the document that it displays. You should all make notes and include the information within your log books. Take a special focus on the 'Method of Physical Actions' (pp.5-16) and 'Emotional Memoy' (pp.17-24). It is these objectives that we will be discussing in class.

The Stanislavski System; Growth and Methodology By Perviz Sarwoski

Stanislavski - The Deviser of a System.

an interview with 'stanislavski'

Further Reading

Research Elements

Exercise.

Exercise.