Constantin Stanislavski

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the modern acting methodology created by Constantin Stanislavski and his follower, another great acting teacher, Uta Hagen. The paper details many elements of Stanislavski's theory such as the core concept of the "creative objective": A character's objective on the simplest level is what the character wants. The author points out that the modern actor would never go into a play without having an understanding of his or her character's relationships with other characters.

From the Paper:

"The "magic if" technique essentially places the actor in a situation wherein he or she may use the imagination to develop the appropriate emotions. For example, an actor may have never tried out for the football team, but he is playing a character that has just been cut from the team. The actor may not know what that feels like; but, by employing the "magic if", he can place himself in that position. In other words, as the actor prepares he might say to himself: "It's as if I walked up to look at the cast list and saw that I'd been cut or not cast." Through the use of "if," an actor can find similar emotions."

More papers on Constantin Stanislavski:

• Term Paper # 94176 : "Constantin Stanislavski"
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• Book Review # 121384 : "Building a Character"

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