Hello, I am having a hard time deciding between the upcoming Summer intensive that Stella Adler offers, versus taking intensives at The Sanford Meisner Center.

Was wondering if anyone has taken either of these courses, and could enlighten me as to their differences, pros, cons, etc...?

Much appreciated!

Have you checked to see if you can sit in on a class at both studios? That would probably give you the best idea of which would suit you personally. If you're not familiar with either, it would probably be more beneficial to go and see how the instructors are working with other actors as opposed to having someone just yabber about the minute differences in the techniques.

Of course, I say that only because I'm the sort of person who would wind up doing some form of the aforementioned useless yabbering.

Hi Shelly,

Both disciplines are off-shoots of The Method, Meisner's approach perhaps more results-oriented, stressing active listening. Best to thoroughly check out both before making any decision.

I tend to shy away from any of the big schools, preferring a more intimate, hands-on setting. I always recommend Ron Stetson for the Meisner path. He was a director at the Neighborhood Playhouse the last I heard, and is a past master of Sandy's philosophy.

“Whatever works.”

www.robertkim.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/

Hello,

I also vote in favor of newer kinds of schools, with current teachers who are innovators themselves. I vote in favor of finding a teacher who is themselves a pioneer and is visionary, as opposed to studying with mere disciples of the methods past.

Just because the school uses the name of a famous dead person doesn't mean the teachers are of any quality whatsoever.

The revolution continues...why get stuck in the past?

- Jason Bennett

I'd go for an individual, a teacher/coach you feel comfortable with. Sure, if you feel a certain school/style of acting is not what you're looking for... but then you'd possibly not connect to the teachers of such a school, either. So it's the person you're learning with that is at least as important as the style of a school, but I believe, even more important.

It really varies based on individuals...

Not all method/technique works for everyone.

I have worked with actors who are Stella Adler alumnis, and also those who studied at William Esper Studio... I was mesmerized when I watch them doing their scene.

I have also known actors who graduated from the Atlantic Theatre Company with great results and career... Yet a friend of mine ended her term early, because she felt the technique doesn't work for her.

I would advice you to ask if you can audit a class, or at least, arrange an interview session just to see how the school functions.

Thanks Wonderfulcow, you make my point very well.

Why should actors settle for studying at old-fashioned schools that only teach narrow approaches to the work?

Moderns schools and teachers offer far, far more than JUST the great work of Meisner and Adler.

There are PLENTY of awesome teachers who teach modern work -- that integrates all the work of Adler and Mesiner, but also goes way beyond that work. As I said on another thread, the modern work gets quicker, deeper results for MORE actors than the old-fashioned ways.

As one of the modern teachers, I just don't hear students saying our work doesn't work. I'm not meaning to promote myself. Now, there are plenty of modern schools. There are students who don't WANT to do the work we offer -- but the point of the modern schools is that the work is more comprehensive and effective than the 40-80 year old ways.

I should know, I spent lots of money studying them all when I was younger.

Kind regards, Jason B.