The different acting techniques used by actors to deliver a performance, including Stanislavski, Meisner, and Method acting.
Character development: The process of creating and developing a character's personality, history, relationships, and traits.
Script analysis: The process of studying a script to understand its themes, characters, mood, pacing, and overall structure.
Improvisation: The practice of creating spontaneous scenes or dialogue without a predetermined script or plan.
Movement: The use of physicality to bring the character to life, including posture, gait, gesture, and overall physical presence.
Vocal technique: The use of voice to convey character, including vocal range, tone, pitch, projection, and enunciation.
Emotionality: The ability to convey strong emotions convincingly, including techniques for accessing and expressing emotions on stage or in front of the camera.
Sense memory: The use of personal memories to create emotional and sensory depth in a character's performance.
Stanislavski method: A system of acting developed by Russian actor and teacher Konstantin Stanislavski that emphasizes the realistic portrayal of characters through psychological depth, physicality, and emotional truth.
Meisner technique: An acting approach developed by Sanford Meisner that focuses on truthful, authentic responses to the given circumstances of a scene, emphasizing active listening and responding.
Method acting: An acting approach that emphasizes personal experience and the use of emotional memory, often associated with actors such as Marlon Brando and James Dean.
Physical theatre: A style of theatre that emphasizes physicality, movement, and nonverbal communication, often combining elements of dance, mime, and acrobatics.
Commedia dell'arte: A style of improvised comedy developed in 16th-century Italy that emphasizes stock characters, physicality, and masked performance.
Brechtian theatre: A style of theatre associated with German playwright Bertolt Brecht that emphasizes political and social commentary, audience awareness, and the use of techniques such as distancing and alienation.
Shakespearean acting: The study and performance of plays by William Shakespeare, including techniques for understanding and speaking the language, portraying characters, and using physicality to convey meaning.
Musical theatre: The study and performance of musicals, including techniques for singing, dancing, and acting within the genre.
Television and film acting: Techniques for performing on camera, including the use of subtle facial expressions, adjusting performance for different camera shots, and working with directors and crew.
Audition techniques: Strategies for preparing for and performing in auditions, including selecting and preparing material, working with accompanists or readers, and presenting yourself confidently and professionally.
Physical warm-up exercises: Exercises used to loosen up the body, increase flexibility, and prepare for acting work.
Acting terminology: A comprehensive understanding of the language and terminology used in the acting industry, including terms for different types of performances, film production, and audition processes.
Collaborative acting: The importance of working closely with fellow actors, directors, designers, and crew members to create a cohesive and effective performance.
Method Acting: Stanislavsky's system of acting focused on using personal experiences to bring emotions to the character.
Classical Acting: This focuses on classical plays, that is, plays written before the 20th century.
Meisner Technique: This technique focuses on emotional preparation by having actors connect with their emotional state and react spontaneously.
Viewpoints: This technique focuses on the interplay of time and space on the stage.
Lecoq Technique: This is a physical, movement-based technique that helps actors create characters through physical movement.
Grotowski Technique: Jerzy Grotowski's technique focuses on actors accessing their inner self by breaking down their physical and mental barriers.
Chekhov Technique: This technique focuses on the psychological aspects of acting through character analysis and inner monologues.
Uta Hagen Technique: This technique emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment and reacting to the given circumstances.
Physical Theatre: This is an umbrella term for any theatrical performance that emphasizes physical movement and expression, such as dance or mime.
Improvisation: This technique involves spontaneous performance without a script or preconceived plan.
Suzuki Method: This technique emphasizes physicality, voice, and focus through a series of exercises.
Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed: This technique uses theatre as a tool for social and political change by having actors engage with real-life challenges and issues.