Meisner technique

The Meisner Technique is an approach to acting which was developed by the American theatre practitioner Sanford Meisner.

The Meisner technique develops externally, as opposed to "Method" acting, which develops from an internal source such as emotional recall, sense of memory, etc. The focus of the Meisner approach is for the actor to "get out of their head," such as that the actor is behaving instinctively to the surrounding environment. To this end, some exercises for the Meisner technique are rooted in repetition so that the words are deemed insignificant compared to the reactions. In the Meisner technique, there is a greater focus on the other actor as opposed to one's internal thoughts or feelings associated to the prescribed character.

About Meisner

Meisner developed this technique after working with Lee Strasberg and Stella Adler at the Group Theatre and while working as head of the acting program at New York City's Neighborhood Playhouse. He continued its refinement for fifty years.