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.