Constantin Stanislavski - Stanislavski's System

Stanislavski's System

Constantin Stanislavski
Theories and techniques
  • Action
  • Affective memory
  • Art of representation
  • Given circumstances
  • Inner monologue
  • Subtext
  • Substitution
  • Through-line of action
  • Turning point
  • Unit of action
Books
  • My Life in Art
  • An Actor Prepares
  • Building a Character
  • Creating a Role
Moscow Art Theatre
  • Moscow Art Theatre production of Hamlet
  • Moscow Art Theatre production of The Seagull

Stanislavski's 'system' is a systematic approach to training actors. Areas of study include concentration, voice, physical skills, emotion memory, observation, and dramatic analysis. Stanislavski's goal was to find a universally applicable approach that could be of service to all actors. Yet he said of his system: "Create your own method. Don't depend slavishly on mine. Make up something that will work for you! But keep breaking traditions, I beg you."

Many actors routinely identify his system with the American Method, although the latter's exclusively psychological techniques contrast sharply with Stanislavski's multivariant, holistic and psychophysical approach, which explores character and action both from the 'inside out' and the 'outside in'.

Read more about this topic:  Constantin Stanislavski

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