Konstantin Stanislavski
Remember: there are no small parts, only small actors.
Itâs very easy to over-simplify the method of Konstantin Stanislavski, one of the greatest and most influential of modern theatre Someone who practises or has written theatrical theory and whose theatre may have a definable theatrical form.. The main thing to remember is that he takes the approach that the actors should really inhabit the role that they are playing. So the actor shouldnât only know what lines he needs to say and the The intention behind a character's action/speech. The motivation drives the action/speech in a scene and may reveal truth or hidden meaning (subtext). for those lines, but also every detail of that characterâs life offstage as well as onstage. In this way we can establish Stanislavski as a director and practitioner whose productions are A form of theatre designed to create the illusion of reality for an audience. Originated in the late 19th century..
Stanislavskiâs background
Stanislavskiâs real name was Konstantin Sergeyevich Alexeyev but he adopted the stage name of Stanislavski in 1884. Born in 1863 to a life of considerable comfort as a member of one of the most affluent families in Russia, he died in 1938 at the age of 75. His family loved the theatre and he was able to indulge in amateur theatricals as a boy. But when he took a stage name it was to conceal his theatrical work from his family. However, in 1887 he had his fatherâs approval and eventually became an established figure.
As a serious theatrical practitioner, he made careful notes and evaluated his work, a habit he followed from the first steps in his career. Later he was to write major texts on the art of performance:
- My Life in Art
- An Actor Prepares
- Building a Character
- Creating a Role