The Method Acting Exercises Handbook

The Method Acting Exercises Handbook is a concise and practical guide to the acting exercises originally devised by Lee Strasberg, one of the Method's foremost practitioners. The Method trains the imagination, concentration, senses and emotions to 're-create' - not 'imitate' - logical, believable and truthful behavior on stage and in film. Building on nearly 30 years of teaching internationally and at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York and Los Angeles, Lola Cohen details a series of specific exercises in order to provide clear instruction and guidance to this preeminent form of actor training. By integrating Strasberg's voice with her own tried and tested style of teaching, Cohen demonstrates what can be gained from the exercises, how they can inform and inspire your learning, and how they might be applied to your acting and directing practice. As a companion to The Lee Strasberg Notes (Routledge 2010), a transcription of Strasberg's own teaching, The Method Acting Exercises Handbook offers an unparalleled and updated guide to this world renowned technique.

Lola Cohen

ABOUT THE HANDBOOK (INTRODUCTION) PART ONE - THE EXERCISES . About the Exercises . Exercise Descriptions and Guides -- Painting and Sculpture Exercise -- Private Moment for the Character -- Animal Exercise -- Need Exercise -- Music Exercise -- Emotional Memory Exercise PART TWO - BUILDING THE CHARACTER PART THREE - ACTING AND DIRECTING CHOICES . Use the imagination to stimulate the creative process . Break down the text to discover fully developed believable characters . Use subtext to find logical emotional and physical behavior and transitions . Find inspiration from the other art forms . Work alone and with scene partners to fulfill the given circumstances of the play. (Understanding the characters psychology of behavior and their very nature. . Making production choices for set, lighting, music, costumes, transitions, etc. PART FOUR APPLYING THE WORK . Rehearsal Procedures . Monologues . Auditions . Performance . Scene Examples PART FIVE DIRECTING AND THE METHOD ACTING EXERCISES . Origins of Method Acting Use in Directing . Creating the Director's Vision . Production and Technical Choices . Director's Work with Cast and Crew . Selected Great Directors PHOTOGRAPHS