The Art of Acting: A Study of Methods Presented to the Department of Arts and Sciences of Westminster Choir College of the Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Music WoodruffMay 2000TABLE OF CONTENTSCHAPTER I PAGEI. INTRODUCTION The ProblemStatement of the ProblemPurpose of the StudyLimitationsDefinition of TermsOrganization of the StudyII. REVIEW OF THE RELATED DATAIII. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND DISCUSSIONSSummaryConclusionDiscussionWORKS CITEDAPPENDIX AAPPENDIX B CHAPTER IINTRODUCTIONI. THE PROBLEMThe art of the stage actor is the most subjective, abstract process of all the arts. Musicians, painters, and dancers all have to develop a technique that is rooted in aesthetic tradition and proven by the masters of their fields. Historically, the techniques of great actors have not been expressed in written form, and their performances lost after the moment of their occurrence. There is, of course, a reason for this lack of information. Actors are dealing with the most elusive and transient medium possible- human emotions. The idea that one should have something as organized as a "technique" or "method" for dealing with these emotions seems somewhat contradictory. But that is what makes the theater art- the marriage of emotion and intellect, the ability to use our humanity in a meaningful way. The purpose of this study is to examine the ideas of several of the most influential teachers of acting. Constantin Stanislavskiwas really the first to map out a definite method that can be employed in specific ways for any given role. He revolutionized the way we think of acting, but he was only the beginning. Many brilliant thinkers have since shed light on this most mysterious art form. Many have branched off from Stanislavskis ideas, some have developed their own acting...
