Acting Theorist Assignment
Objective: You will be able to articulate the foundations
for the acting techniques that are the foundations for
what we study and consider “modern acting.”
This project will require you to study, read, research
the theorist as a group and put together a presentation
in which you will teach the class about that theorist.
1.
2.
Pick a theorist from the list.
Plan a 30 minute presentation for the class
including (but not limited to):
a. a brief biography
b. an explanation of the theoristʼs acting technique
and how it builds on (or differs from) what we are
learning in class.
c.
either a group demonstration or a lead exercise of an acting exercises from the theorist
which your group will lead the class (about 10 minutes).
d. a short video or reading from or about the theorist.
3. You and your group will work in and out of class on the project.
4. With your presentation you must turn in:
a. a works-cited page with all of your research sources (MLA format*)
b. a peer review form (youʼll get them the day of your presentation)
5. To research your theorist, you may use:
a. the power of the INTERWEBS (thereʼs more than wikipedia...use something else!)
b. books (either from me, or from the library, or wherever)
c.
magazines or scholarly journals (such as American Theatre)
Scoring: Presentation (250pts), Works Cited Format (50pts), Use of Multiple Texts (50pts.) Evaluation (50pts.)
Theorist Lists
1.
Constantin Stanislavski
The father of realistic acting, Russian-born Stanislavski developed the system of acting called,
“The Method.” He strongly believed that acting was a serious activity that required enormous
amounts of dedication and background work on the part of the actor. He believed that the actor
must infuse their characters with their own memories and/or their imaginations.
(Recommended books: An Actor Prepares, Building a Character, Creating a Role, My Life in Art)
2.
Lee Strasberg
Coming from an offshoot of Stanislavskiʼs technique, Strasberg is considered to be the father of
“the American method” of acting. He founded his work on the tenants of improvisation and
affective memory. Through these techniques, he felt that an actor could reach the emotional
responses needed to appropriately portray a character. Tennessee Williams once said of
Strasbergʼs actors, “His actors work from the inside out. They communicate emotions they really
feel. They give you a sense of life.”
(Recommended books: A Dream of Passion: The Development of The Method)
3.
Stella Adler
One of the primary members of The Group Theatre with Strasberg and Sanford Meisner. She is
considered of the preeminent acting teachers in America, with famous students like Marlon
Brando, Robert DeNiro, and Judy Garland. She was one of the only American actors to work
directly with Stanislavski and her theory revolved around getting emotions and character
information directly from the text.
(Recommended books: The Technique of Acting, The Art of Acting)
4.
Sanford Meisner
One of the founding actors in the Group Theatre, Sanford Meisner has developed an offshoot of
“The Method,” referred to as “The Meisner Technique.” Often, his techniques are considered
unorthodox and yet very effective. The technique is founded upon “living truthfully under
imaginary circumstances” and not reacting until being prompted to react.
(Recommended books: Sanford Meisner on Acting)
5.
Uta Hagen
Actor, director and theorist, Uta Hagen has been in multiple films and her technique of acting is
based upon a thought of “realistic acting.” Her technique is an amalgam of character work with
emotional reality that is called “transference.”
(Recommended books: Respect for Acting, Challenge for the Actor)
6.
David Mamet
Better known as a playwright, David Mamet is a Meisner trained actor. He branched off in his
theories when he became a playwright and director. His acting theory is based on using the
script to influence performance more than emotion and he all but abandons emotional
preparation in favor of a “just do it” approach.
(Recommended books: True and False, Oleanna, Writing in Restaurants)
Theorist Assignment: Peer Review Form
Your name:
Please rate your group members according to the following rubric.
Score
Group Member
5
Led the pack.
Contributed positively
throughout the
process.
Lead by listening and
involving everyone.
Didnʼt take over by
force.
3
Pulled his/her weight
with some effort.
Contributed positively
during the process.
Listened and helped
value others.
1
Breathed in the same
space as the rest.
Had to be asked
multiple times to do
something.
Needed to be
redirected multiple
times.
Complete this after finishing the project:
Group Member Name
Example:
Jane Doe
Score
4
Comments (required)
Contributed well and did a lot of work but did not particularly lead and
forgot to bring her stuff a couple of times. Didnʼt really value everyone for
their opinions.