The Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute is the founding method acting institution. You can also try reading original books by Konstantin Stanislavski, the creator of the method. [1] X Expert Source Jim JarrettActing Teacher Expert Interview. 28 April 2020.
Look for classes and teachers who teach method acting through online acting resources, like takelessons. [2] X Research source
Reach out to the head of your local theater and see what resources they offer. Ask them questions like, “I’m trying to learn method acting, do you have any advice?” “Do you offer any classes or resources on method acting?” or “Are there rehearsals that are open to the public?”
T’ai Chi is a great practice to adopt for relaxing your entire body in a methodical and contemplative way. [3] X Expert Source Ben WhitehairActing Coach Expert Interview. 3 June 2021. Try meditation or yoga techniques to further relax your body and mind before warming up and practicing your method acting.
Sense memory takes a lot of concentration and patience. Remember to practice slowly and not rush yourself. Give yourself time to fully explore your memory or object.
Only perform this exercise with an experienced teacher if you are new to method acting and have not used your own emotional experiences in exercises. You’re going to become a more interesting actor as you get older because you’ll have laughed, loved, hurt, and lived more. This means your emotional well of experiences to draw from will be deeper. [5] X Expert Source Jim JarrettActing Teacher Expert Interview. 28 April 2020.
Try choosing an animal as your first subject if you haven’t practiced this exercise before. Choosing an animal will help exaggerate the techniques used in this exercise.
Many websites for method acting classes also offer examples of games that can be played that use method acting techniques. [6] X Research source Be prepared for the lessons to be intense. For instance, the world-class training for the Meisner technique is supposed to be done twice a week, two hours per class, over a two-year period. [7] X Expert Source Jim JarrettActing Teacher Expert Interview. 28 April 2020.
For example, if your character is a werewolf, try to use sense memory to explore each different sensory experience from the perspective of a werewolf.
Try to create relationships between memories and emotions. For example, if your character needs to express anxiety over being fired, try to use the same memory each time to conjure that anxiety.
Embodying your character is what most people refer to as “getting into character,” which does ultimately happen before the performance begins. Try to give yourself a large margin between when you get into character and when you perform, like one hour.
