The Use of Stanislavskis Ideas to Guide Actors During the Rehearsal Process :: Konstantin Stanislavski Acting Theatre Essays

The Use of Stanislavskis Ideas to Guide Actors During the Rehearsal ProcessStanislavskis ideas on relaxation, concentration of attention andtempo-rhythm went into great detail. He had very distinct, yet simpleto follow ideas on each three, which actors still enjoyment and study tothis day.Stanislavski dwelled on concentration of attention to a great extent.The practice session of attention when playing a role was considered veryimportant. Concentrating on the attention was a skill that came frompractise and focus, beginning in rehearsal and continuing into the final examination writ of execution. The theory of concentration of attention is beingable to concentrate on a particular part of the scene, which could bean object, a physical move or listening to the speech. This allows theactor to concentrate on the part of the play and know what is going onand happening around him, so there are no free moments. This meansthat each performance is similar, as the same objects of attentionw ill aid the same actions, movements and speech. It keeps theperformance consistent. Taking the theory of concentration a stepfurther, Stanislavski devised the circles of attention. This waswhere an actor would create a circle in his or her own performancewhere they would devote their entire attention. Anything outside thecircle would cease to exist. This would mean the performance would betotally dedicated, without any disruption from anything else, analogous anoise from the audience, or anything out of the ordinary. Not allperformances allow for this approach to attention, as rough may requirethe need to monitor the audience and connect with them. This would bethe case when a speech is delivered directly to the audience. Or inthe case of a comedy, an actor needs to observe the audience reactionand alter the performance. This is where concentration of attentionbecomes more complex. A performer must be able to relegate the mind intotwo. The first part being committed to the act, t he second being ableto take into account any external conditions. As a director, the useof concentration of attention is important to allow the performers toact at their best ability. The relevant use of concentration would beessential. For instance, when playing a singular, solitary part, likethat of Davoren at times in The Shadow of a Gunman, the use ofcircles of attention would be very useful. Sitting at his typewriter,attempting to write poetry, he has no interaction with any othercharacters, and requires no audience response. Therefore, he candevote his entire concentration into the role and the scene aroundhimself. However, if playing the role Mrs.