The Stanislavski System: A Psychophysical Acting Training Perspective

Abstract

Konstantin Stanislavski was a well-known actor and director who developed a system to train actors. Stanislavski emphasised on the significance of establishing a strong link between psychology and physicality in actor training and performance. It laid the groundwork for what later became to be known as the psychophysical approach. Stanislavski’s contributions to the art of acting were groundbreaking and he challenged conventional acting practices that relied solely on external gestures. He advocated for a more authentic and internally driven style of acting. He urged actors to delve deep into the psychology of their characters and connect their emotions to their physical actions. Throughout his career Stanislavski directed, taught, and extensively wrote about acting. He was also the first one to use the term “Psychophysical” in relation to theatre studies and actor training. He also developed a method of “Physical Actions” to help actors better understand the complexities of actor training. This paper explores the groundbreaking contribution of Stanislavski and its contemporary relevance.