A practical investigation contrasting the traditional acting methods of Konstantin Stanislavski and the innovative methods of Jurij Alschitz, looking at their influence on an actor’s character interpretation through working with text analysis and composition of the role.

Abstract

This study explores how the traditional techniques of Konstantin Stanislavski and the innovative methods of Jurij Alschitz influence the actor´s understanding of character interpretation through text analysis and the composition of the role. Being such extensive techniques, it is a challenge to examine them in their entirety. That is the reason why the study reduces the scope of research and concentrates on two of the core tools of an actor: text analysis and organising the composition of the role. The Stanislavski system is like a handbook of practical exercises that actors use to show emotions on stage by placing themselves mentally and physically in character (Stanislavski 1986). Jurij Alschitz´s first teacher, Jurij Malkovsky, was one of Stanislavski's students and strongly supported this method. Under Malkovsky´s tutelage, Alschitz started to practise the Stanislavski system as well. However, after he completed his second degree at the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts, Alschitz changed the direction of his work into the innovative method of Game theatre (WTTI 2018). This approach encourages actors to keep an emotional distance between themselves and their characters, rather than to psychologically immerse themselves in the role as in the Stanislavski system. The research will examine how both systems make an impact on an actor's character interpretation and the differing experience of implementing both systems from the actor's point of view.