Stanislavski worksheet

Stanislavsky Worksheet:  Conduct research and answer the following thoroughly. You will need a Works Cited page.

Short Answer:

Answer each of the following:

1. How did Stanislavsky begin his career in the theatre?

2. What was the name of the theater established by Stanislavsky in Moscow?

3-4. Describe the style of acting common in the theatre of the 19th century.

5. What did Stanislavsky believe the actor’s main responsibility is?

6. What has the Stanislavsky System come to be known as?

7-8. What two things does "The Method" require actors to draw on in order to emotionally feel their characters?

9. How did Stanislavsky survive the communist revolution of 1917?

10. Name 5 contemporary major film actors/actresses that bring Stanislavsky's ideas to the world of motion pictures?

Defining terms:

Define the following terms using at least one complete sentence. Use your own words.

11. Subtext

12. Objective

13. Unit of Action

14. Super Objective

15. Communion

16. Circles of Attention

Short Reflection:

Research and choose one of Stanislavsky's quotes. 

Explain what it means to you in your own words.

Exploring The Method:

Select one of the following exercises to complete. 

Follow what the task description is asking you to do closely but be creative!

Emotion Memory: Recall a memory from your own life where you felt a specific emotion.  Write the memory down in paragraph/story form. Be specific. Try to use the five senses in your description. For example if you chose a moment that evoked the emotion "envy", you might write: " My best friend and I tried out for the same part in the school play. She got it and I didn't. I tried to be happy for her, but I wasn't. I couldn't look her in the eye. I made my voice sound happy, but I knew I was exaggerating and I think she did too. My stomach hurt and I had to hold it. I thought I was going to throw up. "

Physical Action: Here are a few examples of active verbs that can be actions in scenes: To help, To hurt, To praise, To demean, To leave, To keep, To convince.  Now continue this list, adding another 10-12 active verbs.

Magic If: Imagine you are in a play that takes place at a bank. As your character is finishing up with the teller, a bank robber enters and shoots a gun into the air.  If you were in a similar situation, what would you do? Would you be a coward or a hero? Would you yell? Would you hide behind someone? Would you run out? How would this information help in your character development? Write a paragraph or two employing the "magic if" in this or a similar situation.

Imagination: This is a simple exercise you can do anywhere to develop your imagination. Observe people surrounding you as you go about your daily life (for example, in the subway or at the coffee shop). Then, invent details about their lives and use your observations to make up a biography for each person. Now write the imagined biography of one of the people you have observed.  It doesn't have to be true, just let your imagination go crazy! (Keep this to a paragraph or two at most!)