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  You might not recognise Viola Spolin’s name, but you’ll definitely recognise her techniques: Spolin invented theatrical improvisation. To improvise is to perform spontaneously, or to create with what surrounds you in the moment; essentially, it’s the art of being unprepared. Born in Chicago in 1906, Viola Spolin is internationally recognised for her “games” techniques,…

  When you begin to act on your creativity, what you find inside may be more valuable than what you produce for the external world. – Eileen M. Clegg   When we spark creativity, we’re sparking a moment of self-exploration and inner understanding. This is important to understand from the outset: many people mistakenly think…

  For a professional musician, knowing their instrument is second-nature. They know just how hard to blow into a mouth piece, caress a string or stroke a key in order to get exactly the sound they need. You might think actors have little in common with musicians when it comes to this, but for an…

  Method actors use a number of different method acting techniques to create performances with a depth and believability most other actors simply cannot match. Learning these techniques allows actors to find inspiration on cue, meaning they can always deliver the goods when required. This is why method actors are so often praised, not just…

  To err is human, but to acknowledge it on your CV is an even bigger mistake. Whether it’s a personal demon or a small gap in your training, acting weaknesses don’t need to ruin your career. We’ve found the three biggest weaknesses that actors starting out their careers face, and how best to deal…

  At first glance, practical aesthetics might seem to be the same as method acting. They both come from the theories of our favourite, Konstantin Stanislavski; and like all acting techniques they both have the goal of evoking “truth” in an acting performance. The difference is how these two techniques were shaped after being sparked…

    ‘How do I find an acting agent?’ is one of the questions I get asked most by my students. As an aspiring actor, you probably know that it takes more than just talent, skills and determination to succeed in the industry. Once you’ve built up your career, finding an acting agent is the next…

  The secret to moving the passions in others is to be moved oneself. – Aristotle.   Moving yourself to tears, for the average person, is a sign of hysteria or misery. For an actor, it’s a sign of success. To be able to tap into your emotions and express them as a character is…

  It cannot be said of him that he is merely a gifted artist and director who is capable of staging the most varied repertoire. He simply breathes art. – Margot Klausner, on Michael Chekhov   While the name Chekhov doubtlessly brings to mind play upon brilliant play you’ve read or performed, the Chekhov this…

  Drawing on the emotions I experienced—for example, when my mother died—to create a role is sick and schizophrenic. If that is acting, I don’t want to do it. – Stella Adler   Affective memory has always had its critics. We’ve covered several times how powerful a tool it is for actors, and how useful…