Acting is all about commitment and hard work. It is an art that can never be perfected, but building a solid foundation is valuable as you take your art and make it known to the world. Many great actors emphasize the value of learning and taking acting classes. Here are 8 of the best acting techniques in drama that every actor needs to know.

Stanislavski Method

This technique is a systemic training technique developed by Konstantin Stanislavski. Before this method, acting was all about presentation, superficial, and performance. Stanislavski brought the idea of realism to the stage. It is important to note that most other acting techniques were built on his method of acting. You ask yourself the questions of who the character is. 

• Who am I?
• Where am I?
• When is it?
• What do I want?
• Why do I want it?
• How will I get it?
• What do I need to overcome?

To understand the depths of your character. This is the Stanislavski Method.

Classical Acting Technique

Classical acting is a range of techniques being put together. It focuses on the actors’ instruments. The body, the voice, the imagination, and the ability to analyze the script and become their character. This training is often what is taught at British drama schools. The actor is trained to understand our character, as in the Stanislavski method, but also to freely express vocally and physically.

Method Acting Technique

This technique was born from a disciple of Stanislavski’s system. Lee Strasberg. There were elements of the method he studied vigorously called substitution, “as if”, sense memory, affective memory, and animal work. These are the pillars that make this actor’s performance realistically emotional. Actors’ own experiences in life are put into the performance. The misconception of staying in character on and off-screen is incorrect. 

Meisner technique

The Meisner technique also derives from the Stanislavski Method. However, Meisner’s approach is getting the actor out of their own head. Stop thinking and simply respond by instinct. His technique is to take away any habits that make them open or responsive, but to be in the moment. There are multiple exercises that build on one another, repetition, and a shaping of one’s instincts, that can be used to master this technique.

Chekhov Technique

Chekhov created a technique that tapped into the subconscious mind and universality of humanity. He uses physical exercises to connect with that. One of them, called the psychological gesture, is the physicalizing of an internal need into a gesture. The actor repeats this gesture and the actor can gather those emotions from the physical movement to use in their acting.

While these are only a few of the techniques used in acting, all of them prove valuable as you master and create your unique way of going about your art. No actor follows one style, everyone has their own approach to the craft and that is what makes each person stand out. However, there is always room to improve. Going back to the basics is always a useful tool to refine your acting.

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