Types of Acting Techniques (Classical, Meisner, etc.): Updated 2024 (2024)

In this guide, we'll discuss the most common types of acting techniques and how they can help further your career as an actor. Here's what you'll learn:

• The different methods of acting includingClassical, Chekhov, Method, Meisner, and a few others so you understand what each one entails, and how it was originally created
• A simple breakdown of each style in aneasy-to-understand way, so that even if you're brand new to acting and don't have a deep understanding, everything will still make sense
• How to know which acting styles to focus on,depending on whether you're going into screen acting, stage acting, etc. (so you train in the technique most-likely to help you book more work)

​Related: How to Practice Acting at Home (for free)

There are plenty of actors with little to no formalized training, but the acting techniques & acting styles covered in this article can help you sharpen your blade so you not only

, but also appear more impressive to casting directors via your

(because they take formalized training seriously).

The proper training & acting methods will lead to more bookings and confidence on set, so without further ado let's jump right in!​

Based on Shakespearean acting techniques, the

became formalized and popularized by

and

in the late 1800's.It's a broad acting methodology that requires actors to carefully analyze the script to explore the character in depth, finding personal connections to the character and using those connections to give an engaging performance.

Classical Acting technique was originally developed before the advent of film. Here are a few of its qualities:

• It emphasizes overly dramatic gestures, exaggerated actions, and slower, drawn-out speech so everyone in the theater (including those all the way at the back) could hear and see.
• It typically sticks to the words and actions exactly as they're written in the script, meaning little to no ad-libbing or improvisation is taught.
• Many modern day acting coaches consider Classical Acting to be a bit "over the top," which is why it's almost never taught for screen acting.
• It is used primarily as an introductory training method to helpnew actors discover themselves, their movement, and their bodies as they learn the basics of acting for stage.

Some famous Classically Trained actors include Alan Bates, Bette Davis, William Shatner, and Patrick Stewart.

Want to dive deeper on Classical Acting? I highly recommend this book:An Actor's Work by Stanislavsky

The invention of film played a huge role in Stanislavski's training techniques.When he saw the way his classically trained actors looked on screen, he realized their performances looked too big and over the top. He therefore changed his approach and developed what is now referred to as

.

Stanislavski's System teaches actors:

• How to use a mixture of both Classical and improvisational techniques to better access their subconscious mind and give more natural performances in theater and film.
• To ask themselves the following seven questions whenever preparing for a role:
  • Who am I?
  • Where am I?
  • When is it?
  • What do I want?
  • Why do I want it?
  • How will I get it?
  • What do I need to overcome?

Stanislavski knew that over time, new mediums would continue to develop, meaning new techniques and styles of acting would become necessary. He knew there could be no "one size fits all" approach and said, "Create your own method. Don't depend slavishly on mine. Make up something that will work for you! But keep breaking traditions, I beg you."

Some famous actors who studied Stanislavski's System include Marlon Brando, Ellen Burstyn, and John Gielgud.​

Want to dive deeper on Stanislavsky's System? I highly recommend this book:The Stanislavky System by Sonia Moore

was a student of Stanislavski (and nephew of famous playwright

). He added his own knowledge and ideas to Stanislavski's System, creating the Chekhov Method which became extremely popular in the 1950's.

Here's what it entails:

• The Chekhov Method is considered to be a "psycho-physical" approach, where one is to integrate the internal impulses & feelings with external gestures & movements.
• The actor needs to physically "show" the character's internal state by using external gestures and expressions.
• These external movements are then to be subtly concealed so they're not seen as "too big" or melodramatic.

Some famous Chekhov-trained actors include Marilyn Monroe, Clint Eastwood, Johnny Depp, and Jack Nicholson.

Want to dive deeper on Checkhov Technique? I highly recommend this book:On the Technique of Acting by Michael Checkhov

is one of the most well-known

, perhaps because it is so controversial. It was developed by Lee Strasberg and had influences from Stanislavski,

,

, and

.

Here's what Method Actingmethodology entails:

• Allowsan actor to truly bring a character to life by using personal memories to bring up raw emotions. Some Method Actors even live as their characterfor a few weeks before the performance and don't get out of character until the production is entirely complete!
• Method Actors often go to extremes for their characters, as shown by these examples:
  • Robert DeNiro: He spent weeks driving a cab for 12 hours a day while preparing for his role in Taxi Driver.
  • Daniel Day-Lewis: He caught pneumonia because he refused to wear an insulated coat during the freezing weather when shooting Gangs of New York, since doing so would have taken him out of character.
  • Nicholas Cage: At the start of his career when he was still a child with baby teeth, he made the filmmaker rip out his two front teeth without anesthesia to allow him better understand the suffering of his character.
• Method actors live the life of the character they're playing not just physically, but also emotionally and mentally by first ridding themselves of all their personal thoughts and worries, and then completely immersing themselves in the mind of the character by thinking as the character would think, responding as they would, and feeling as they would.
• One drawback of Method Acting however is that some performers who use it can be difficult to direct and work with on set, which can be detrimental to their careers (especially if they're a new actor).
• Because Method Acting is so realistic, it's best suited for the screen, where a tiny movement like the raising of an eyebrow can be magnified enough for everyone to see.

Some famous actors who used Method Acting include Daniel Day-Lewis, Robert DeNiro, Anne Bancroft, and Angeline Jolie.​

Want to dive deeper on Method Acting? I highly recommend this book:

OnMethod Actingby Edward Dwight Easty
​
Related Article: Character Acting: The Ultimate Guide

In the early 1950's,

introduced her theater acting technique in Chicago:

• Viola was known for creating games in the theater that would allow actors to use improvisation and make choices on the fly to create original and engaging performances.
• She was the first acting coach who incorporated the audience into her training, telling her students that both actor and audience needed to interact during performances to "create magic."
• This technique is characterized by it's extreme level of spontaneity and improvisation, which led to no two performances ever being alike.

Some famous Spolin-trained actors includeAlan Arkin, Fred Willard, Dan Aykroyd, and Gilda Radner.

Want to dive deeper on the Spolin Method? I highly recommend this book:Improvisation for the Theater by Viola Spolin

Meisner Technique is an acting process that encourages actors to respond to stimuli using their own natural instincts.

Sanford Meisner developed this actors techniqueto help actors get out of their own heads and stop overthinking their performances. The technique was considered groundbreaking because of how easy it was and how little effort was required to "act."

Here are some characteristics of Meisner Technique:

• Meisner actors are simply meant to respond to external cues in a natural way without thinking too much, rather than going deep into sense memory and making choices ahead of time for every moment (or "beat") in a scene
• There are three main principles to Meisner Technique:
  • ​Emotional Preparation –As with all styles of acting, there is prep work to do, which involves research and decision making. Creating a backstory and making specific choices about the character before the scene begins allows your performance to be more truthful to the character. The one caveat is that thesedecisions canonly be made up until the point where the scene begins. From there on out, everything that takes place must happen on the spot – Meisner Technique is meant to be entirely reactive (meaning your performance will likelychange slightly from take to take).
  • Repetition –Meisner employed repetition in the form of word games, where each actor would say the same line over and over, but with a different emotional tone,in response to however the actor across from them said it. The first actor would say,"You're wearing a hat," and then the second actor would respond, "I'm wearing a hat." This would repeat over and over again, with subtle changes in tone and inflection each time.
  • Improvisation –Since so much of MeisnerTechnique is based on reaction and instinct, almost all actors' performances are based in improv(except for the actual words and thechoices they make before the scene starts).

Some famous Meisner actors includeSam Naomi Watts, Grace Kelly, Jeff Goldblum, Robert Duvall, and Gregory Peck. Meisner Technique is perfect for film and screen actors.

​Want to dive deeper on Meisner Technique? I highly recommend this book:On Acting by Sanford Meisner

I also wrote a much more in-depth article on Meisner Technique.

​
Related:Access Major Netflix Auditions WITHOUT an Agent

The Practical Aesthetics Method was developed by

and

, using Stanislavski and Meisner influences. It's based on a four-step analysis that allows actors to capture elements of themselves in a character, thereby making every character uniquely their own.

Here are some specifics of Practical Aesthetics Method:

• It allows the actor to highlight elements of their own personal brand in every character they play, asking questions like, "If I were in this situation, what would I do?" and, "How is this situation similarto something I've experienced in my own life?"
• There are the four steps of analysis used:
  • ​Step 1 – "Literal"Analysis: First, you must figure out exactly what's going on in the scene. What's being said and what are the meanings of all the lines and words? What's physically happening?
  • Step 2 – "Want" Analysis: Next, you need to be clear on what the character wants in the scene. Note that we are not asking "why" the characterwants it – that's not a part of this acting method.
  • Step 3 – "Essential Action" Analysis:Third, you need to figure out what you (not the character) are doing in the scene. Are you pleading for help? Planning an attack? Begging for forgiveness?
  • Step 4 – "As If" Analysis: Finally, you need to figure out how this situation is similar tosomething you've experienced (or might experience) in your own life. Thissituation is almost "as if..." what?
• Example: Imagine a scene where the character you're playing is being fired from their job at a grocery store
  • ​Step 1: The "Literal" analysis of the scene is that the character is being fired. Someone is yelling at you and telling you you can't work there anymore.
  • Step 2: The "Want" analysis is that the character wants to keep their job and wants the person firing them not to do so.
  • Step 3: The "Essential Action" analysis is that you (the actor) are pleading to be able to keep your job.
  • Step 4: The "As If" analysis could be thatthe scene is "as if" you had just been told that $1,000 was going to be automatically taken out of your bank account every single monthfor an entire year, and there's nothing you can do about it.
• Practical Aesthetics teaches that it's impossible to fully embody the mind and emotions of another person (character), so instead, it's best to simply play the scene as you yourself would if you were thrust into that situation.

Famous Practical Aesthetics actors include Felicity Huffman, Scott Parker, Jessica Alba, and Clark Gregg

​Want to dive deeper on the Practical Aesthetics Method? I highly recommend this book:Teaching Acting with Practical Aesthetics by Troy Dobosiewicz

All acting styles in drama have the same goal at the end of the day: To tell a story that keeps audiences engaged, entertained, and interested.

Great acting requires memorization, understanding the context of the scene, knowing your marks, taking direction, and performing in such a way that the audience loses themselves within the story and doesn't focus any attention on your acting.

To be a great actor, you must become a part of the story. Trying to stand out is the exact opposite of what you should do, because a great story is about the story... NOT about the acting. That's why natural acting is so important.

Learn more about Natural Acting in my guide: How to Perform Naturally, Simplified

When your acting technique is on point, you'llget invited tomore auditions,bookhigher-paying jobs, andget an agent/manager WAY faster.

Uplevel Your Actingis a 4-week live workshop series where we'll work together in a group setting on Zoom to analyze, break down, and quickly improve your acting technique so casting directors & agents take you seriously.

• How to quickly break down a scriptso you understand all the beats and important moments that casting directors care about
• What to do when you're not given enough info in a character breakdownand have to make choices yourself
• How to remove moments of indication from your performances, and how to know when to it's actually OK to include them (plus how much is too much)
• How to memorize lines more effectively & easilyusing techniques likeThe Comprehension Method&The Variance Method
• How to make yourself more adaptable and "directable"so that casting directors feel like you'll be easy to work with on set
• How to fully immerse yourself in the scene & characterso your performance becomes more believable and natural
• How to take any performance from OK to deeply memorable and emotional by "raising the stakes"– this is what gives casting directors goosebumps (and they absolutely LOVE it)

​
This workshop series is online and can be joined no matter where you live in the world.
​

Learn More & Sign Up

If you enjoyed this article (Types of Acting Techniques), you might be interested in some of these:​
​

• Types of Acting Roles (Lead, Supporting, Background, etc.) + Types of Actors in Film
• Playwrights Who Made a Difference: A Top 20 List
• Natural Acting: The Ultimate Guide
• How Much are Acting Classes on Average?