Richard Boleslavsky Acting: the First Six Lessons (February 4, 1889 – January 17, 1937)

Richard Boleslavsky Acting: the First Six

Lessons(February 4, 1889 – January 17, 1937)

Presented By: Evelyn Forsyth, Megan Rodriguez, Mimi Rife, and Ana Schuler

Life of Boleslavsky Megan

Polish actor and directorMember of the Moscow Art

Theatre and director of it’s first studio

Moved to NY 1920’s- first teacher of the Stanislavski system

Later directed Broadway plays & Hollywood films in the 1930-40’s

The First Lesson: Concentration Ana

Actor's concentration: The human soul.First Period: The SearchingSecond Period: The constructive

The five senses are the key to creationThree parts of education

BodyCulture and intellectual conceptsTraining of the soul

Exercise #1 all

Education of the bodyGymnastics: Stretching and Roll Down Dancing: InterpretiveBreathing Exercises: Sizzling 3 times on “S”

and “Z”, Filling up lungs Voice: CountingDiction: To Sit in Solemn Silence on a Dull

Dark Dock, New York

The Second Lesson: Memory of Emotion Ana

Unconscious ReactionsExample: Cucumber

story“To imitate is wrong.

To create is right.” Use of personal

experiencesAbstract connections

Murderer – bug killing

Exercise #2 Megan

Pick a partner; A and BA: Recall a short story to them in full detailA: Retell story with less detailA: Finally try to recreate the emotions

without words.Do the same steps with partner B

The Third Lesson: Dramatic Action Evelyn

Trunk: Idea, Reason (coming from director)

Branches: Elements of the idea (coming from actor)

Leaves: Presentation of idea

Exercise #3 Mimi

Pick a Partner; A and B“One must choose his or her actions in accordance with the

character of the part that opposes them.”Three situations:

Two teenage friends A: college student, B: Senior citizen A: Skater, B: Valedictorian

A: So, you’ve finally made it to the fishbowl? B: The what? A: That’s what we call the box office. Its an inside joke. B: Oh. I guess. Mr. Boston said he wanted you to train me. A: Then let the training begin. People come up. They say what movie they want. You press this

button. Take their money. Give them their ticket. There, you’re trained. B: Now what? A: Now sit down and wait. No one’s coming tonight. It’s Christmas Eve and all our movies suck.

The Fourth Lesson: Characterization Megan

Pathological hypnotism: Unbelievable actingToo complete sincerity

Create a unique life and soul Physical & emotional personality:

Real life examplesPrevious acting rolesAuthor’s mind process

Romeo & Juliet example

Exercise #4 Evelyn

Analyze the pictures below for:Artist MotivesTime periodCharacter situation

Create a new posture based on these character choices

The Fifth Lesson: Observation Mimi

Observation in relation to actingUnusual things in everyday lifeBuilds memory and memory capacity Develop sensory and muscle memoryEnriches inner lifeFully appreciate different personalities

Exercise #5 Evelyn

Get into pairs; assign A & BBoth will observe the video and take note of

specific actions/gesturesB will pantomime the clip for AA will point out any missed steps. Switch; repeat steps for next clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmnhmHHOzKc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9kVsnTQh-g

The Sixth Lesson: Rhythm Mimi

Levels of Rhythm:ConsciousnessEmotions result of other’s feelings Create your own rhythm (take into account other’s

rhythm)

Building Rhythm Absorb sounds of nature Listen to music with entirety

Exercise #6 Ana

Lie down on the floorClose your eyes and concentrate on the music

played Discuss the different types of rhythms

presented in the music

Conclusion: CEACORC: concentration

E: emotions

A: action

C: characterization

O: observation

R: rhythm