Acting

Acting

Introduction

This book is very resourceful in educating readers about the development of artistic and performance arts. “The Stage Directors Workshop: A descriptive Study of The Actors Studio Directors unit 1960-1964” is a thesis that was done by Victor Seymor. Seymor presents the activities that were carried out by the Actors Studio Directors Unit in New York City from the time it was formed to the time it closed its session. The time span covered is from February 25, 1960 to April 30, 1964.

More insights about the art of directing is captured from Lee Strasberg during an extended session. Lee provides more insights on the history of directing, describes the work and duties that were carried out by its greatest practitioners, analysis of the functions of acting in the theater is also captured. Furthermore, procedures taken in rehearsal and Lee’s own methods of directing are well captured in the book.

This book has enabled me to learn about many issues concerning the Actors studio. I have been able to learn about the formation and the operation of the studio. The studio was formed in 1947 by three people, Eliza Kazan, Cheryl Crawford and Lewis Robert. The studio was a non profit organization and was based on promoting education in the areas of arts and performance. Lee Strasberg later joined the group after a year and soon was appointed as the group artistic director in 1951. The major reason for the formation of the group was to promote professional actors. Professional actors came to the theatre after their daily work and were also called upon to help finish urgent tasks. It therefore aimed at developing these actors by allowing them to learn new issues that were cropping up in the areas of creative theater work.

The studio was aimed at nobleness and ensuring that truth dominated their creative work. Therefore, the studio was referred to temple. The building in which the studio was housed also heightened its inclination to religious image. The house was former Greek Orthodox Church and was acquired in the 1955. Lee dressing which consisted somber colors, gray shirt and black ties and black suit was a manifest of the character and the objective of the studio members. However, Lee opposed this depiction of a studio as church claiming that it was not right.

I have also learned the importance of keeping in touch with the actors during production and writing of set pieces. The Actor studio director Lee was of very great assistance to the groups’ verbal performance. They met twice a week in their classes where members presented their scenes which were then constructively criticized by others. Lee directed this criticism which allowed perfection. Therefore, this illustrates the important of cooperation and working together of the members involved in script writing.

Auditions are important, in ensuring that talented people are provided with an opportunity to act and demonstrate their talents. The Actor studio was categorical in its auditions. These provided an opportunity to talented people to earn life membership in the group. For instance, those that received invitation for free and lifetime membership were taken through auditions. In a year, almost a thousand auditions were carried out where by six members were allowed to become members. The total number of life membership of the Actors studio was 250.

The studio has furthermore, impacted on the lives of many people who have gone through it. The training that the studio provided has propelled many people to higher levels. It has managed to produce many stars in the United States which dominated in the film, television and stage industry. The training hinged on developing the inner sense of truth among individuals. This inclination has helped in molding behaviors and morals and promoting many of the artists into prominence. Some of the well known people that have been molded through the Actors Studio include Ann Bancroft, Joseph Anthony, Shelley Winters, Patricia, Neal, Salome, Jens, and Steven Hill among many others.

There are various plays that were written between 1960 to 1964 in the Actor studio. This included, strange interlude that was written by Eugene O’Neill and produced in March 1963. June Havoc produced Marathan 33 in December 1963, baby want a kiss was done by James Costigans. James Baldwin’s produced Blues for Mr. Charlie in 1964. Other plays included dynamite tonight and the three sisters that was produce by Chekov.

In any performance and acting, ensuring good records are maintained is paramount. It is also important that adequate research and reading about the same areas is done. The studio source of material was tape recordings. These tape recordings provided valuable sources of information to most of writers who had to learn new ideas and create their own. Therefore, this is an important aspect in acting. It requires an individual to carry out surveys and research to be able to write about issues that are of relevant to the society. The writers and members also received written sources of materials. A monthly news letter scene schedule was distributed to the members to help them sharpen their skills and knowledge.

I have further learned the important of carrying out extensive research in acting. The purpose of doing this is to be able to learn new ideas and knowledge. It is also important because it helps to wide the thinking capacity of an artistic. Research on the past should therefore be encouraged to ensure that the artistic perform to the expected standard by being creative and innovation.

There are various problems and challenges that are experienced while working on scenes. Therefore, to ensure that everything runs smoothly, such difficulties must be solved. Examples of problems that are normally experienced in working on scenes include how to select the appropriate scene, casting the scenes, rehearsing, correcting necessary properties and furnishing them. There are some problems that are required to be solved by the directors. A good example of a problem that may affect director is failure to understand materials or the script. Therefore this may lead to vagueness, confusion and even tendentiousness in the production. Therefore, it is imperative that directors work hand in hand with the writers of the script in providing directions.

Acting has helped me as an actor to reach many people across the world through my creative ideas about various aspects of life. I have written many scripts and at the same time participated in acting by transmitting the message to the third parties. I believe that through acting I have impacted on the lives of many people who have had an opportunity to watch and listen to my message.

It has also helped me to mold my behavior and sharpen my creativity skills. Working together with different people has been a defining time to me. I have been transformed and inspired by my college who always encouraged me to be a role model in the society. I am happy that I am who I am because of acting

My self esteem and my relationship with other people has also improved through actinxg. I can therefore say without fear that, I have managed to attain high self esteem and learned skills on how to interact and socialize with people from diverse backgrounds.

Directing is one of the skills that I have learned through acting and which has impacted my life as an actor. In directing, I have learned how to ensure that the script is well acted through proper use of actors and choice of better scenes that can make the message come out better. Therefore, I am enlightened that acting has made me to acquire this skills which have made my star in acting continue shining.

In conclusion, the book has in length helps me to understand the theatre, performance arts. Acting and creative arts, is an areas that requires a lot of attention ad creativity. From the reading, performance arts not only shape an individual moral but shape the thinking of an individual too. I have learned many issues relating to the challenges that face the industry and possible solutions. The book is an inspiration to me. In acting the unity and cooperation of members is paramount in ensuring that the whole crew members succeed.

Works Cited

Seymour, Victor. Stage Directors Workshop: A descriptive Study of The Actors Studio Directors unit 1960-1964. University of Wisconsin, 1965. Print.