Soprano & Actor
THE MEISNER TECHNIQUE
“The foundation of acting is the reality of doing”
What is the Meisner Technique and why learn it?
The Meisner Technique has grown in recognition as one of the most influential and respected modern acting training methods. It was developed in the 1930s by Sanford Meisner and trains actors to be truthful and fully present in the moment, creating performances that are rich with aliveness and emotional depth. Meisner developed a technical sequential approach based on three fundamental components - the repetition exercise, independent activity, and emotional preparation. Truth, presence, authenticity, spontaneity, emotional depth, responsiveness, observation, specificity, agility, aliveness…are just some of the qualities the Meisner Technique helps to develop within an actor.
About Sanford Meisner:
Sanford Meisner was an American actor and member of the Group Theatre (1931-40), which introduced a golden age of ensemble acting in American Theatre based on Stanislavsky’s System. (later known as Method acting) However, in the mid 1930’s Meisner became disillusioned with aspects of ‘the Method’ and left to teach at the Neighbourhood Playhouse in New York. He taught, directed and produced plays there from 1936-1990. He also developed his own acting technique – The Meisner Technique.
What makes the Meisner Technique different from other techniques?
While Meisner’s technique grew out of the Method, it is fundamentally different. Unlike other approaches that advocate the use of techniques such as affective memory, or imagination to excite the actor’s emotions, Meisner based his technique on these three principles: "Acting is rooted in the reality of doing" "Acting is living truthfully under a given set of circumstances" "What happens to you as an actor does not depend on you, it depends on what the other person does to you" Taking the actor’s focus off themselves and onto the other person liberates the actor, getting them out of their heads and into the moment, fully present and able to be more spontaneous and impulsive.
Intro to the Meisner Technique
A 3hr workshop to give you a taste of what Meisner Technique has to offer you!
Date & Time:
Venue:
Cost:
Meisner Drop in
For Impulse trained actors, or those trained by Impulse Alumni.