The Art of Acting

1. Acting Transcends Self: It's About the Play, Not You

Over the next few months you will hear me say repeatedly that acting is not about you.

Beyond Ego. Stella Adler emphasizes that true acting isn't about personal expression or self-indulgence, but about serving the play and the playwright's vision. Actors must shed their ego and focus on embodying the character within the context of the story. This requires a deep understanding of the text and a willingness to subordinate personal feelings to the needs of the role.

Serving the Playwright. The actor's primary responsibility is to bring the playwright's ideas to life, not to showcase their own personality or experiences. This means immersing oneself in the world of the play, understanding the character's motivations, and committing to the actions that drive the narrative forward. The actor becomes a vessel for the playwright's message, conveying the story with clarity and conviction.

Universal Truths. By focusing on the play rather than the self, actors can tap into universal truths that resonate with audiences across time and cultures. This requires a willingness to explore complex themes, grapple with difficult emotions, and challenge personal assumptions. The actor's journey becomes a quest for understanding, a search for meaning that transcends the individual and speaks to the human condition.

2. Embrace Honorable Selfishness: Prioritize Your Growth

You need 100 percent honorable selfishness toward you.

Fueling the Instrument. Adler advocates for a form of "honorable selfishness" where actors prioritize their own growth and development. This means dedicating time and energy to honing their craft, expanding their knowledge, and cultivating their imagination. It's about investing in oneself to become a more capable and versatile artist.

Leaving the World Outside. To fully immerse themselves in the work, actors must learn to detach from the distractions and concerns of the outside world. This requires a conscious effort to create a space where they can focus on the task at hand, free from personal troubles and external pressures. It's about creating a sanctuary for creativity and exploration.

Independence and Security. The ultimate goal is to achieve independence from teachers, directors, and external validation. This requires developing a strong sense of self-worth and confidence in one's abilities. It's about cultivating an inner compass that guides the actor's choices and allows them to collaborate effectively without sacrificing their artistic integrity.

3. Tradition and Training: The Actor's Inheritance

You're here to learn a tradition that goes back two millenia.

A Legacy of Craft. Adler stresses that acting is a time-honored profession with roots stretching back to ancient Greece. Today's actors inherit a rich legacy of dramatic literature, performance techniques, and artistic ideals. Understanding this tradition is essential for developing a deep appreciation for the craft and a sense of responsibility to its future.

The Classroom as Crucible. In a world where actors are often thrust into the spotlight without proper training, the classroom becomes a vital space for learning and growth. It's a place to hone skills, explore techniques, and develop a strong foundation for a sustainable career. While real-world experience is invaluable, formal training provides the structure and guidance needed to navigate the complexities of the profession.

Beyond the Street Corner. Adler cautions against limiting oneself to the narrow confines of one's own generation or personal experiences. True actors must cultivate a broad understanding of history, culture, and human nature. This requires a commitment to lifelong learning, a willingness to explore unfamiliar worlds, and a deep respect for the traditions of the past.

4. Actions Speak Louder Than Words: The Essence of Realism

Acting and doing are the same.

Truth in Doing. Adler emphasizes that acting is not about pretending or imitating, but about performing truthful actions within the given circumstances. This requires a deep understanding of the character's motivations and a commitment to embodying their actions with authenticity and conviction. It's about doing, not just saying.

Doable Actions. The key to effective acting is to break down complex scenes into a series of small, doable actions. This allows the actor to focus on the present moment, responding truthfully to the circumstances and the other actors on stage. It's about finding the physical and emotional logic that drives the character's behavior.

Beyond Imitation. Adler cautions against simply imitating everyday behavior. True acting requires capturing the essence of an action and amplifying it for the stage. This means making choices that are more precise, more intense, and more interesting than what one might observe in real life. It's about elevating the ordinary to the extraordinary.

5. The Power of Imagination: Seeing Beyond the Visible

Your imagination consists of your ability to recall things you've never thought of.

The Inner Eye. Adler stresses the importance of developing a vivid imagination as a tool for creating believable characters and worlds. This involves cultivating the ability to see beyond the visible, to conjure up images, sounds, and sensations that bring the play to life. It's about tapping into the vast reservoir of human experience and using it to fuel the creative process.

Defictionalizing Fiction. The actor's job is to take the playwright's words and transform them into a tangible reality. This requires a willingness to embrace the illogical, to explore the unexpected, and to create a world that is both believable and compelling. It's about making the impossible seem possible.

Beyond Personal Experience. Adler cautions against relying solely on personal experiences as a source of inspiration. True actors must be able to imagine worlds and characters far removed from their own lives. This requires a commitment to research, a willingness to explore unfamiliar cultures, and a deep empathy for the human condition.

6. Strength and Discipline: The Actor's Foundation

For the acting life you can't bring in a broken body.

The Actor's Instrument. Adler emphasizes that the actor's body is their instrument, and it must be kept in optimum condition. This requires a commitment to physical fitness, proper posture, and vocal training. It's about cultivating a strong and flexible instrument that can respond to the demands of the role.

Aspiring Upward. Actors must cultivate a physical presence that commands attention and conveys authority. This means standing tall, speaking clearly, and moving with purpose. It's about projecting an image of strength and confidence that draws the audience into the world of the play.

Beyond Casualness. Adler cautions against the casualness and self-indulgence that can undermine an actor's work. True artists must cultivate discipline, order, and a deep respect for tradition. It's about embracing the rigor of the craft and committing to excellence in all aspects of the performance.

7. Circumstances Define Truth: The Actor's Compass

Truth in art is truth in circumstances, and the first circumstance, the circumstance that governs everything is, Where am I?

The Guiding Question. Adler emphasizes that the first question an actor must ask when approaching a scene is, "Where am I?" This requires a deep understanding of the play's setting, the character's relationship to that setting, and the specific circumstances that drive the action forward. It's about grounding the performance in a tangible reality.

Creating the World. Actors must be able to create a vivid and detailed world around themselves, even if it exists only in their imagination. This involves paying attention to sensory details, understanding the social and historical context, and making choices that are consistent with the character's background and motivations. It's about building a believable environment that supports the performance.

Avoiding Fakeness. Adler cautions against faking or pretending on stage. True acting requires a deep understanding of the circumstances and a commitment to responding truthfully to them. It's about finding the authentic connection between the character and their world, and allowing that connection to guide the performance.

8. Props as Partners: Creating a Tangible Reality

Everything will speak back to you.

Beyond Mere Objects. Adler emphasizes that props are not simply decorative elements, but active participants in the scene. Actors must develop a deep understanding of each prop's history, purpose, and potential for interaction. It's about transforming inanimate objects into meaningful partners in the storytelling process.

The Life of Things. Every prop has a story to tell, and it's the actor's job to uncover that story and bring it to life. This involves researching the prop's origins, understanding its cultural significance, and exploring its potential for symbolic meaning. It's about imbuing the object with a sense of history and purpose.

Imagination and Truth. Actors must use their imagination to create a tangible relationship with each prop, even if it's something as simple as a chair or a cup. This involves exploring the prop's texture, weight, and potential for interaction. It's about making the object real and allowing it to inform the character's actions and emotions.

9. Controls and Techniques: Mastering the Instrument

Technique is first of all a way of controlling what we do on stage.

Beyond Raw Emotion. Adler emphasizes that technique is not about suppressing emotion, but about channeling it effectively. This involves developing a set of tools and strategies for controlling the body, voice, and imagination. It's about mastering the instrument so that it can respond to the demands of the role.

Physical and Vocal Mastery. Actors must cultivate a deep awareness of their physical and vocal capabilities. This involves training the body to move with grace and precision, and developing a voice that is both expressive and powerful. It's about honing the instrument so that it can convey the full range of human emotions.

The Power of Controls. Adler introduces the concept of "controls" as a way to access specific physical and emotional states. This involves using techniques such as accents, posture, and gestures to shape the character's behavior. It's about finding the keys that unlock the character's inner world.

10. The Universal in the Particular: Finding Epic Size

When you approach a big writer you must live up to what is big in him.

Beyond the Mundane. Adler emphasizes that acting is not about simply portraying everyday life, but about elevating it to a higher level of meaning. This requires a willingness to explore universal themes, grapple with profound questions, and connect with the audience on a deep emotional level. It's about finding the epic size in the ordinary.

The Playwright's Vision. Actors must strive to understand the playwright's vision and to embody it with clarity and conviction. This involves immersing oneself in the text, researching the historical and social context, and making choices that are consistent with the playwright's intentions. It's about serving the story, not just the character.

The Power of Ideas. Adler stresses that acting is not just about emotions, but about ideas. Actors must be able to articulate complex concepts, engage in intellectual debates, and convey the weight of human history. It's about using the stage as a platform for exploring the big questions of life.

11. The Social X-Ray: Theatre as a Mirror to Society

The word theatre comes from the Greek. It means the seeing place. It is the place people come to see the truth about life and the social situation.

Reflecting Reality. Adler emphasizes that the theatre is a mirror to society, reflecting its truths, its flaws, and its potential for change. Actors have a responsibility to engage with the social and political issues of their time and to use their art to promote understanding and empathy. It's about holding a mirror up to the world and inviting audiences to see themselves in a new light.

Beyond Entertainment. The theatre is not simply a form of entertainment, but a powerful tool for social commentary and transformation. Actors must be willing to challenge the status quo, to question authority, and to speak truth to power. It's about using the stage as a platform for social justice and change.

Morality and Justice. Adler stresses that the theatre has a long tradition of exploring moral and ethical dilemmas. Actors must be willing to grapple with complex issues, to challenge their own beliefs, and to invite audiences to do the same. It's about using the stage as a forum for moral inquiry and social progress.

12. The Actor's Responsibility: Reclaiming First Place

I want you to make him again the strongest element in the theatre.

Beyond Interpretation. Adler challenges actors to move beyond simply interpreting the playwright's words and to become active creators in their own right. This requires a deep understanding of the text, a strong sense of self-worth, and a willingness to take risks. It's about reclaiming the actor's rightful place as a central force in the theatrical process.

Moral Force. Actors have the ability to convey moral force, to help people understand that even a handshake has a moral significance. There is no limit to what an actor can make an audience feel and understand.

Reclaiming the Stage. Adler urges actors to reclaim their position as the strongest element in the theatre, challenging the dominance of writers, scenic artists, and directors. This requires a commitment to excellence, a willingness to take risks, and a deep belief in the power of the actor's craft. It's about taking ownership of the stage and using it to create transformative experiences for audiences.

Last updated: March 3, 2025