On the Meisner Technique

The Meisner Technique is an acting technique developed by Sanford Meisner, one of the leading figures of American acting in the 20th century. It is a method of training actors to fully engage in the present moment and respond truthfully to the circumstances of a scene. I love working with actors who utilize this method.

At its core, the Meisner Technique emphasizes the importance of active listening, emotional preparation, and living truthfully under imaginary circumstances. It encourages actors to let go of preconceived notions of how a scene should be played and to instead focus on their scene partner, allowing their own emotions and reactions to arise naturally in response to the other person's behavior.

It's likely that you've come across the expression, "Acting is living truthfully under imaginary circumstances." This motto was coined by the renowned acting instructor Sanford Meisner, whose instinct-driven techniques have greatly influenced the American perspective on what constitutes effective acting. Meisner's approach to acting distinguishes itself from other naturalistic methods by prioritizing motivated impulses over intellectualization. As an educator, Meisner was famous for urging his students to avoid overthinking.

One of the key exercises in the Meisner Technique is the "repetition exercise," in which two actors repeat a simple phrase to each other while focusing on each other's behavior and reactions. As the exercise continues, the actors are encouraged to let go of any preconceived ideas about how to say the phrase and to instead allow their emotions and responses to guide their delivery.

The Meisner Technique has been embraced by many actors and is taught in many acting schools and studios around the world. While it may not be the right fit for every actor, it has been praised for its ability to help performers connect more deeply with their characters and their scene partners, and to create more authentic and compelling performances.

What are your favorite acting techniques? Thoughts on method acting vs meisner? Comment below. For our favorite Meisner coach rec’s reach out here.