Meisner-Based Improvisation: Combining Two Powerful Acting Techniques
For many of us, when we think about acting we envisage a lot of careful preparation. From intensive rehearsals to in-depth character studies and the reading and re-reading of scripts, all of this hard work is usually associated with great performances.
However, it is actually possible to deliver engaging, convincing performances with none of this preparation.
Known as improvisation, this type of acting relies heavily on instinct and reaction, with actors having to think on the spot and respond to unexpected stimuli or dialogue as it happens.
While improv is generally viewed as a stand-alone acting practice taught in isolation, it actually intersects perfectly with the Meisner Technique.
In this guide, we’ll look at how the combination of these two acting techniques, as Mesiner-based improvisation, supports actors to further enhance their skills and elicit more powerful performances.
Improvisation Defined
Collaborative and often humorous, improvisation in acting is wholly based on spontaneity. There are no scripts provided and performers are simply given a scenario or a starting point and instructed to make the rest up as they go along.
To some this may seem chaotic or pointless, however, the outcome of improv is usually very realistic, relatable storylines. Not always comedic in nature, improv can also deliver poignant and touching moments.
Engaging in improvisation supports actors to learn on their feet and surrender to their instincts rather than relying on memory and practised responses.
The Meisner Technique And Realism
Based on realism, the Meisner Technique also favours this instinctual approach to acting and encourages its students to embrace this over a confining, overly practised or structured approach.
Meisner believed that in doing so we are better able to act truthfully under imaginary circumstances, creating believable and intensely watchable performances. By removing the constraints of other methods, such as Strasberg’s Emotional Memory technique, actors are able to elicit more genuine responses.
Improvisation And The Meisner Technique – A Natural Partnership
While it’s true that the Meisner Technique is the ideal foundation from which to tackle scripted, rehearsed roles, even within this framework it still embraces elements of improvisation.
Essentially, the Meisner Technique is all about improvising emotionally, focusing less on the story itself as the vehicle for creating meaning and instead on how the actors connect. This is part of why the Meisner technique is so adaptable and facilitates more versatility in actors.
Just like improvisation, the Meisner Technique focuses on external sources for inspiration and to drive an actor’s responses and interactions. Its three core principles emphasise the importance of emotional preparation, repetition exercises and improvisation.
For this reason, The Meisner Technique is a well-suited partner to the improvisation technique as a whole. Due to this, it has also become recognised as one of the most favoured and helpful techniques for guiding and teaching improv theatre.
The Benefit Of Combining These Techniques
If improvisation is already a component of the Meisner Technique, what is the benefit of incorporating it into improv generally? Let’s take a look.
For starters, one of the biggest challenges of improv is being able to make things up, quickly and on the spot. Often in front of a live audience who may also be interacting with you and feeding you information.
Frequently, actors in this scenario get caught up in thinking about how their characters should respond. In this space between their instinctive response and what they think they should say, truthfulness and genuine emotion become lost. This makes for a stilted performance lacking in believability.
Pairing the Meisner technique with improv removes this gap between what an improviser is thinking and what they assume the character is thinking. It is all one and the same.
This creates a situation where there is less hesitation and all thoughts, feelings and impulses can be wholly embraced and used within a scene. As a result, these scenes become more intense, often funny, sometimes shocking but also thoroughly truthful.
In a kind of symbiotic partnership, practising Meisner-based improvisation builds on your skills within both techniques for better outcomes in a variety of acting scenarios.
Meisner For Improvisers – Exercises To Try
So what does Meisner-based improvisation look like in terms of the learning environment? Most workshops offering this will work through a variety of exercises intended to build on the concepts within Mesiner’s teaching.
These are namely:
- Living truthfully under imaginary circumstances
- Repetition
- Calling emotions
- Specific Activity
- Emotional Preparations
Examples of these exercises vary, but will usually include:
Mirroring
In this exercise, actors are placed in pairs and stand opposite one another – one mirroring the other. One is instructed to move their face and body while the other copies as accurately and precisely as possible.
Every detail from their emotions, their stance, tiny finger twitches to big deliberate movements are mirrored. This activity supports the connection between actors and a heightened awareness of body language in communication.
Repetition
Repetition exercises are designed to create a better awareness of the actor’s environment and to help them truly inhabit their physical presence. They also support the development of greater confidence.
This could look like two actors once again facing each other and one stating a simple yet undeniable truth about the other person which is then repeated back to them. For example:
A: You’re wearing a watch
B: I’m wearing a watch
A: You’re wearing a watch
B: I’m wearing a watch
A: You’re wearing a watch
B: I’m wearing a watch
While seemingly pointless, this interaction creates incredible focus and connection between its participants by eliminating distractions. Many enter an almost trance-like state punctuated with shifting emotions such as laughter, sadness or seriousness.
This is often repeated within the guidelines of a provided imaginary circumstance which tends to elicit even more intense, instinctual responses that are surprisingly believable.
Specific Activity & Emotional Preparation
In this scenario, one actor repeatedly acts out a specific activity and their partner copies them. The intention is to ground the improviser while also creating an imaginary circumstance.
To aid in the believable performance of the specific activity, improvisers should be told why they are doing that specific activity. This is because the ‘why’ adds importance and purpose to the action.
In emotional preparation, the scene partner entering the stage to repeat these actions is encouraged to let an emotion build up before engaging. It doesn’t matter what type of emotion and the emotion is not acted out, you are simply using that energy to bring life to the stage with you.
Master Your Improvisation Skills With The Actor’s Pulse
If improvising is something you have struggled with or you simply wish to further enhance your skills in this area for more natural and grounded performances, we can help.
At The Actor’s Pulse, we offer a variety of classes, both part and full-time centred around The Meisner Technique. As the leading school for this technique in the Southern Hemisphere, we offer unmatched expertise and can support you in embracing the power of improvisation in acting.
Our holistic approach includes the use of exercises similar to those outlined above as well as guidance on technique, opportunities to perform and more.
Passionate about helping our students to succeed in their acting careers, we equip you with the skills, knowledge and confidence to tackle roles on stage, film and television.
No matter your experience level or where you are in your acting journey, our team of talented experts are here to help. Call today at 0414 475 515 to learn more or to enrol in one of our sought-after acting classes.
Billy Milionis is one of the few Australians to have ever studied under the legendary master teacher, the late Sanford Meisner. Billy has also studied story structure and scene analysis techniques with John Truby and later at UCLA. He has also spent several years doing improvisation in Hollywood with the L.A. Connection. In addition, he trained in the technique of Stella Adler, Practical Aesthetics and Lee Strasberg’s method.