9 Techniques All Actors Should Know

Developed by Konstantin Stanislavsky in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century, the Stanislavsky method, or system, is one of the most influential acting methods of all time. Both Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud used the techniques in preparing their riveting performances. The focus is on naturalistic performance, emotional authenticity, and deep character analysis. Stanislavsky believed actors should draw on their own experiences and emotions to bring depth and realism to their roles. Stanislavsky’s techniques have become the touchstone of modern acting training, and his legacy endures through his writings and the continued practice of his methods in theatre schools worldwide.

Key components of the Stanislavsky system:

• Emotional memory: drawing upon personal experiences to evoke authentic emotions
• Objectives and super-objectives: understanding a character’s goals in each scene and throughout the entire play, as well as recognising the obstacles that are in their way
• Given circumstances: considering the specific details of the character’s world, including their environment, relationships, and context

Out of all the acting styles, the Method is perhaps the most well-known. It’s a technique rooted in the work of Stanislavsky and developed by actor, director, and teacher Lee Strasberg. Method actors immerse themselves fully in their characters, often blurring the lines between their own identities and the roles they portray. This can involve intense physical and psychological preparation, including adopting the character’s habits, mannerisms, and even lifestyles. 

Method acting has been influential in film and theatre, leading to some of the most memorable and compelling performances in history (and some of the most bizarre anecdotes). It remains a widely practised approach, renowned for its ability to produce deeply moving and believable portrayals. However, it has been criticised for causing disruptive working relationships on set and mining personal trauma in the name of art through its emphasis on using emotional recall to conjure up the appropriate emotion for a scene. 

Key components of Method acting:

• Sense memory: using sensory experiences to recall and evoke emotions
• Affective memory: tapping into personal emotional experiences to enhance performance
• Substitution: replacing fictional circumstances with real-life experiences to generate genuine reactions

Developed throughout the 20th century by actor and teacher Sanford Meisner, the Meisner technique is a methodology that emphasises genuine emotional responses and spontaneous interaction between actors. Like Method acting, it’s rooted in the principles of Stanislavsky, but Meisner’s technique focuses on living truthfully under imaginary circumstances. Central to this approach is the repetition exercise, in which actors repeatedly exchange simple phrases, allowing them to react instinctively rather than intellectually. This practice helps actors stay present and connected to their scene partners, fostering an authentic and dynamic performance that leads to a realistic character portrayal.

Key components of the Meisner technique: 

• Repetition exercise: repeating phrases to promote authentic and unfiltered reactions
• Improvisation: engaging in unscripted interactions to develop genuine responses
• Emotional preparation: preparing emotionally before a scene to bring genuine feelings to the performance

The Chekhov technique, developed by Russian actor and director Michael Chekhov (not to be confused with the playwright Anton Chekhov), offers a distinct approach to acting that emphasises the use of the actor’s imagination and physicality. Unlike methods that focus heavily on personal emotional memory, the Chekhov technique encourages actors to explore the psychological and physical aspects of their characters through exercises such as “psychological gestures,” which are specific movements that encapsulate the character’s inner experience. (For example, if a character is torn between duty and desire, they might use a psychological gesture such as reaching one hand toward an object, fingers trembling with longing, while the other hand presses firmly against their chest, as if trying to suppress the urge.)

This method aims to create a dynamic and holistic portrayal by connecting the body and mind. Chekhov’s approach also includes the concept of the “ideal centre,” in which actors imagine a specific point in their body from which all movements and emotions originate, helping them embody their characters more fully. The Chekhov technique is known for its ability to inspire creative freedom and enhance an actor’s ability to perform expressively and imaginatively. 

Key components of the Chekhov technique: 

• Psychological gesture: using physical movements to express a character’s inner feelings and intentions
• Imaginary body: visualising and embodying the physical traits of the character
• Centres: focusing on different parts of the body to influence movement and expression

The Adler technique, named after acting coach Stella Adler (who was taught by Stanislavsky in Paris in the 1930s), is a method of acting that places importance on imagination and emotional experience. Unlike Method acting, which often relies on an actor’s personal memories to generate emotions, the Adler technique encourages actors to draw from the rich tapestry of human experience and their own imagination to create believable and dynamic characters. 

This approach allows actors to fully immerse themselves in their roles while maintaining a healthy separation between their personal lives and those of their characters. The technique is rooted in the belief that actors should use their creativity and intellect to interpret a script and bring it to life. Among the famous performers taught by Adler are Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, and Melanie Griffith. 

Key components of the Adler technique: 

• Imagination: using creative visualisation to develop a character’s world
• Research: conducting extensive research to understand the context and background of the character
• Script analysis: thoroughly analysing the script to uncover layers of meaning and motivation

Developed by the influential 20th century German-American actor and teacher Uta Hagen, the Uta Hagen technique is a comprehensive approach to acting that highlights realism and authenticity. Both Sigourney Weaver and Jack Lemmon were students at her HB Studio in New York. Central to her method is the concept of “substitution,” in which actors use their own experiences and emotions to relate to their characters’ situations, making their performances more genuine. 

Hagen also introduced exercises designed to help actors deeply explore their characters’ objectives, circumstances, and relationships. Her technique encourages actors to thoroughly understand the script and to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances – such as through exercises like “two minutes of daily life,” in which an actor tries to accurately mime two minutes from their own life. This fosters a strong connection between the actor and the character. 

Key components of Hagen’s technique: 

• Substitution: replacing fictional events with personal experiences
• Transference: transferring personal emotions to the character’s circumstances
• Nine questions: answering a set of questions about the character to understand their motivations and actions

The Viewpoints technique, developed by American choreographer Mary Overlie and later adapted by directors Anne Bogart and Tina Landau (and detailed in their co-authored The Viewpoints Book), is an approach to acting and performance that focuses on six essential elements: space, shape, time, emotion, movement, and story. 

This method encourages actors to engage with these elements dynamically and interactively, fostering a heightened sense of presence and awareness onstage. By focusing on physicality and the ensemble’s relationship to time and space, the Viewpoints technique breaks down barriers between actors and allows for more spontaneous, organic, and collaborative performances. It’s particularly effective in ensemble work and devised theatre, as it promotes a shared language and fosters a deep connection between performers, creating a more cohesive and responsive theatrical experience. 

Key components of the Viewpoints technique: 

• Spatial relationship: understanding the relationship between the actor and their surroundings
• Shape: using body shapes to express character and emotion
• Tempo: exploring the speed and rhythm of movement and speech

Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) is a comprehensive system for observing, describing, and interpreting human movement, developed by Rudolf Laban, a pioneering British choreographer and movement theorist of Austro-Hungarian descent. This analytical framework encompasses four main categories: body, effort, shape, and space. The body category examines which parts of the body are moving and how they are coordinated. Effort focuses on the dynamic qualities of movement, such as flow, weight, time, and space – highlighting the intention behind the motion. Shape considers the changing forms of the body in space, and how these forms relate to the environment and express meaning. Lastly, space analyses the spatial patterns, directions, and relationships in movement. LMA is used by actors to help them create the physicality of a character. 

Key components of Laban Movement Analysis: 

• Effort: understanding the quality of movement (e.g., light, strong, quick, sustained)
• Space: exploring the spatial dimensions and pathways of movement
• Shape: analysing the form and flow of movement

Developed by Polish theatre director Jerzy Grotowski, the Grotowski technique is a rigorous and transformative approach to acting that emphasises the physical and spiritual aspects of performance. Known as “poor theatre,” Grotowski’s drama technique strips away the elaborate trappings of the conventional stage – such as sets, costumes, and lighting – to focus on the intimate relationship between actor and audience. Central to this technique is the actor’s use of their own body and voice to express complex emotions and narratives, often through intense physical exercises and vocal training designed to break down personal barriers and access deeper layers of expression. 

Grotowski believed that this raw, unadorned style of performance could lead to a more profound and authentic connection with the audience, fostering a shared, almost sacred experience. His techniques have influenced many British actors and theatre practitioners, including the actor Kathryn Hunter, who has brought the method to her work with the highly physical theatre company Complicité. 

Key components to the Grotowski technique: 

• Physical exercises: rigorous physical training to build stamina and flexibility
• Vocal work: developing a strong and expressive voice
• Improvisation: engaging in physical improvisations to explore character and emotion