Emigrating from the Soviet Union in 1928, Michael Chekhov proceeded to revolutionize acting theory and technique in New York and Hollywood, shaping the professions of Ingrid Bergman, Lloyd Bridges, Yul Brynner, Gary Cooper, James Dean, Clint Eastwood, Rex Harrison, Sterling Hayden, Jennifer Jones, Gene Kelly, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Patricia Neal, Paul Newman, Jack Nicholson, Jack Palance, Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn, Robert Taylor, and many others. Proctor will host a workshop in the Chekhov technique for drama teachers May 18 and 19.
Below, James enjoys Photo magazine in the library this morning:
The Chekhov technique (consisting primarily of work with the 'imaginary body' and the Psychological Gesture) brings the actor to effect both physical and psychological changes. Chekhov referred to his work as 'psycho-physical.' Below, Proctor actors (and children) warm-up for play rehearsal with Chekhovian techniques.
Chekhov wrote, "This same body we use the whole day through for quarreling, for making love, for expressing indifference, is a different one when we are on stage because there it becomes, as it were, my condensed psychology. The body becomes the soul and the soul the body, and the intellect is allowed to come and serve."
