The Stanislavski WHEN ACTING IS AN ART

System
Name: ________________________________

The goal of Stanislavski’s training is for the actor to “live through the life of the character in each moment.”
Stanislavski found that all novice actors—those at the beginning of their training, such as yourselves—fit into
one or more of the following categories:

IMITATION MECHANICAL
• mimicry of a person or another • no real feelings
performer
• lifelessness
• copying the vocal and physical
traits • use of gestures, movement, and
vocal patterns that the performer
has pre-planned to represent how
the character might behave.

OVERACTING EXHIBITIONISM
(BAKED VIRGINIA, BABY!)
• complete disregard for inner life of
• exaggerating character

• disregard for the inner life of the • performer wants attention, praise,
character; this in time will evolve and/or affirmation of beauty or
to the worst kind of mechanical sense of humor.
acting imaginable.

In the space provided below, assess yourself. Where—as you are in the beginning stages of your training—do
you fit? What are your personal goals?

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