Have you ever been told by an acting teacher to get out of your head and not overthink? Then the Meisner technique might be just what you need to make your acting more impulsive and spontaneous. Developed in New York by actor-practitioner Sanford Meisner in the middle of the 20th century, the Meisner method focuses on living truthfully under imaginary circumstances. It can help you deliver an authentic performance and respond to your fellow actors with emotional honesty. It’s one of the cornerstones of modern acting training and is taught widely in drama schools and professional workshops. It’s a technique championed by many famous actors, from Michelle Pfeiffer to Tom Cruise.
Let’s dive deeper into the Meisner Technique, exploring its origins, exercises, and notable disciples.
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Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1905, Meisner initially trained as a concert pianist before discovering his true passion for acting. In the 1930s, he co-founded the Group Theatre alongside Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg, who would both go on to develop their own actor training techniques. The Group Theatre was founded with the mission to explore and adapt the methods of Russian theatre director Konstantin Stanislavsky, the pioneer of naturalistic performance in theatre. In 1935, Meisner began teaching at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York, where over several decades he developed a technique that prioritised imagination and present-moment reactions and created exercises designed to strip away pretence in favor of spontaneity and emotional depth.
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At the heart of the Meisner technique is the principle of “living truthfully under imaginary circumstances”, which was Meisner’s motto and mantra. This means you should fully immerse yourself in the given circumstances of the scene, reacting as you naturally would rather than delivering a preplanned performance. One of the most well-known aspects of the Meisner technique is the repetition exercise, in which two actors repeat a simple phrase to each other, focusing not on the words themselves but on the underlying emotions and reactions. Another is the independent activities exercise, in which you’re assigned a task to do while performing a scene so that you don’t plan or overthink your responses. A third key component is emotional preparation, which helps you to respond authentically to the emotional stimulus in the scene. Let’s take a closer look at how these exercises work.
To practise the exercises that Meisner developed, you’ll need a partner. Find a fellow actor who’s also interested in delving into Meisner’s acting technique so you can explore the exercises together and give each other feedback.
Repetition exercise
Sit facing each other, repeating a neutral phrase while focusing on each other's behaviour and emotional responses. Pay attention to your partner’s changes in tone, facial expressions, and body language. Notice how the same words can carry different meanings based on how they are delivered. Here are some simple phrases you can try to get you started:
Observation-based phrases
“You're wearing a blue shirt.”
“You have a smile on your face.”
"Your hair is curly.”
Emotion-based phrases
“You seem happy.”
“You appear calm.”
“You look tired.”
Action-based phrases
“You are sitting down.”
“You are looking at me.”
“You are crossing your arms.”
State-based phrases
“You are relaxed.”
“You are curious.”
“You are bored.”
The ultimate goal is to move beyond the words themselves and react truthfully to the emotional and physical cues of your scene partner, fostering a deeper, more spontaneous connection.
Independent activities exercise
Another important exercise in Meisner’s technique is engaging in a physically demanding task while interacting with another actor. The aim is to stay present and truthful by focusing on the activity rather than the performance.
Example exercise: wrapping a present
You can choose any activity to perform in this exercise, so long as it is both challenging and engaging. Wrapping a gift is a popular choice, particularly if you involve ribbons and decorations. You want to make sure the activity requires your full attention and some level of skill. Your partner’s task is to engage you in a conversation or scene while you are wrapping the present. Your goal is to remain fully immersed in the wrapping task while responding naturally and truthfully to your partner. Allow your responses to flow from your genuine reactions to both the conversation and the task at hand. If your partner’s words surprise you, let that surprise show. If the task frustrates you, express that frustration honestly.
Emotional preparation exercise
Preparing yourself to enter a scene in the appropriate emotional state is a crucial aspect of the Meisner technique. This exercise helps you tap into genuine emotions that align with your character’s situation.
Example exercise: preparing for a scene of grief
Let’s imagine you’re preparing to enter a scene in a state of grief after your character has just learned about the death of a loved one. Sit in a comfortable, quiet place where you won’t be interrupted and think of a personal memory that evokes a deep sense of loss or sadness. This could be a past experience when you felt a similar sense of grief.
Close your eyes and immerse yourself in the memory. Recall as many details as possible: the sights, sounds, smells, and tactile sensations. Focus on the aspects that trigger your emotions the most; once you feel the emotion strongly, hold onto it and transfer it into your character’s perspective. Imagine how your character would carry this grief into the scene. Then, with the emotion primed, begin the scene. Let the emotion inform your reactions and interactions with your scene partners, ensuring your responses are truthful and grounded.
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Many well-known actors have studied the Meisner technique and continue to use it to bring authenticity to their roles. Among them are:
- Robert Duvall: Known for his roles in The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and The Judge, Duvall studied for two years at Meisner’s Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City in the mid-1950s. Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, and James Caan were among his classmates during the two-year course.
- Diane Keaton: Keaton studied with Meisner at the Neighbourhood Playhouse in the 1960s and went on to play memorable roles in The Godfather and Father of the Bride.
- Michelle Pfeiffer: Pfeiffer used Meisner’s technique to create the depth and believability of her characters in films such as Scarface and The Fabulous Baker Boys.
- Gregory Peck: Another Meisner-trained actor, Peck infused his characters with profound depth and authenticity, which can be seen in his performances as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird and Captain Ahab in Moby Dick.
Interested in studying the Meisner technique in the UK? Check out the London Meisner Company, which offers weekly classes in the capital.