The Birth and Evolution of Stanislavsky’s Method
Abstract The stanislavskian system arises in full development of the realist current. Starting from the word, the actor expresses through gestures, intonations and mimics. The pre-stanislavskian actor is dominated by dilentatism and emotional “accidents”, the balance is tilted to an act full of clichés and crafts. Perhaps the most important lesson that Stanislavsky gives us is that for the actor in his work to reach a credible character, he must go through all states, sensations and feelings required in building a character. We cannot forget, however, that Stanislavsky devised a new method of representation also due to the emergence of Chekhovian texts. To give effect to the new ways of writing, the attention must focus on the actors, without neglecting the scenography. Stanislavsky wants to convince the actor that if he doesn’t want to use tricks to present truth, he should be just like a painter or musician, to devote his whole being, “body and soul especially” in the creative process.
