Acting Technique Workshop Plan: Meisner Technique

Part 1: warm up; engage the actors in a warm up game that will help them utilise their intuition I.e. Mafia or Granmas footsteps. Intuition is an important part of Meisber technique and therefore, it is crucial that the actors can utilise it well. Once the game is over we will then discuss some aspects of Meisners life and the basics of his technique.

Part 2: technique application; here the actors will engage in Meisner technique for around 10 minutes, going up to date 2 of the technique, this being physical movement calls. Once this point has been reached there will be a quick discussion of how the technique has made the actors feel, what they felt was effective and what wasn't, and how they feel it could be used to improve their acting skills.

Part 3: applying the technique to the text; here the actors will split into pairs, with actors that they communicate with during  the play. It is crucial also that they have someone that they have a line either with or about, in order for the exercise to work. Once the pairs have been made the actors will pick a line each to repeat, similar to the basic start point of all Meisner sessions. The only difference here is that the actors will be in character. This will continue until the usual impulses begin to build. At this point the actors are allowed to make physical calls and emotional calls about the other actor, as long as they are still in character. The aim here is to make the character feel synonymous with the actor, which will help them feel more natural whilst moving and reacting onstage in character. It will also benefit the character relationships in the play as well, as by using Meisner technique in character, it creates impulses for the character, not for the actor. This means that all calls should be made about a character, helping the actor better understand the relationship he has with that character onstage, making the reactions feel much more organic and real.

Final performance evaluation

Now that the performances of 6 characters have come and gone I feel that, in a general sense, the three performances that were given were all of a high standard, and I feel that both actors and the technical team alike rose to the occasion and created a great set of pieces for our audience.

In terms of set, lighting and sound choices, the technical team did a phenomenal job creating an authentic feeling 1960's theatre, whilst also incorporating the design choices that were necessary for the play. In particular, the raised platform along with the gantry above it gave the performance a sense of authenticity, as well as a set of levels to keep the action energised and alive. The use of tables, chairs and the set up of the directors chair too, created the atmosphere of a disturbed rehearsal, disturbed by these seemingly ghostly almost metaphysical characters. I feel that the costume design for the play was also extremely well done; every character felt authentic to the time period, from the Technicians overalls to the Director's beret, every single design choice not only accentuated the character from the rest of the cast, but also made it clear that they could still be a part of the same universe. The only design area that I feel could have used improvement was the sound. The sound choices within the play were chosen with great care and precision, and I really feel that they emphasized and accentuated key moments within the piece. The dance between Lil and Danny in particular was incredible, in part due to the choreography and the performances by Lil and Danny, but also the music choice was perfect for the scene. It's almost ballad like quality, with its seedy tone made it fit perfectly with the disturbing yet sickeningly attractive piece. However certain sound choices, I feel, could've been improved. For instance the churning, almost guttural music that played during the set up of the characters tableau, I feel, should have been slightly longer, to really cement the eerie atmosphere. The gunshot, signifying the key moment in the play, was off twice throughout the run of performances, which I feel almost ruined both performances, as it ruined the dramatic atmosphere created by the suspense of the young boy, young girl and the son. Had this been tightened up slightly, the drama would've reached its peak, really displacing the audience from their usual atmosphere whilst in a theatre.

In terms of my performance, I feel that overall, I gave a truthful, rooted performance as The Father, and I feel that I accomplished my task of creating an other-worldly quality to not only my character, but the other Characters onstage with me as well. I feel that vocally, I took on board the direction that I had been given as well as the research that I had done myself; to use a much more clipped, precise and consonant heavy accent. This coupled with my main objective to finish the play my way using deceptive means, gave my voice a gentle yet coldly precise quality to it that, I feel made it clear to te audience what mine and Danny's objectives were. My physicality I feel, was also very effective for the role. I made a subtle choice to stoop slightly, placing my weight in my lower back and my hamstrings, as well as engaging my core slightly to give off a sense of age, guilt and pain. It also helped me root myself to the floor more, giving off a sense of strength to juxtapose the sense of pain. 

I feel that I could have improved on certain aspects of my performance however. Although my tonal quality was good, I feel that I could have accentuated the clipped quality of my words more. I feel that this would have made my speeches much more punchy, efficient and engaging. I also had some pace issues during some parts of my performances and I feel that this impeded on my ability to impact the audience with the speeches I was delivering. I also feel that I could have moved through the space more, as limited as it was. I feel that if I had commanded the space more it would have helped me stay engaged with my speeches, which would have created a stronger more dramatic atmosphere.

In terms of overall performance, I feel that every singer actor engaged with the play and brought an authentic energy and atmosphere to, really pushing the audiences minds and understanding of the events and the questions the play was raising. In particular I feel that both Eleanor and Lillian gave outstanding performances, as they really played excellent foils to both mine and Danny's Fathers. They're command of the space was excellent and the subject matters they had to deal with were handled with clarity, precision and care. I also feel that Hayden was excellent in maintaining his aloof attitude throughout the play, and gave a truthful performance throughout. I also have to give credit to the actors who played the young boy and girl; Ede and Jack. They both maintained a solid characterisation and kept engaged in the action, reacting immediately and expertly when called upon. The only thing I would say about the overall performance was that some of the actors cues were delayed, which I thin slowed the pace of the piece and dampened the energy of the piece.

Overall, however I feel that this piece was performed brilliantly with actors, technical student and our director, working to their maximum potential to create an effective and thought-provoking performance.