The Alexander Technique for Actors
The world's top acting schools including RADA, LAMDA, The American Academy of Dramatic Art, and Juilliard, teach the Alexander Technique to their students, and for good reason. Applying the practical methods I teach on my courses (see below) helps you to
The founder of the technique, F.M. Alexander, was a reciter who discovered his habit of pulling back his head to deliver his lines, depressed his larynx and led to loss of his voice and audible breathing - not good news when performing a two-hour, one-man Shakespeare recital. You can read his full story here.
- release/prevent tension
- project your voice
- improve your breathing
- deal with performance anxiety
- be in the moment to get into character
- move with ease
The founder of the technique, F.M. Alexander, was a reciter who discovered his habit of pulling back his head to deliver his lines, depressed his larynx and led to loss of his voice and audible breathing - not good news when performing a two-hour, one-man Shakespeare recital. You can read his full story here.
Being in The Moment
Stanislavski, Chekhov and Adler
In my view, the main benefit to actors from learning the Alexander Technique is the ability to 'get into the moment' in an instant, also known as 'The Flow' or 'The Zone.' This vital skill allows you, the actor, to lose the mannerisms (movement habits) that are uniquely yours, and let the character inhabit your body so your movement and gestures become that of your character.
Top acting teachers such as Stanislavski, Adler, Meisner and Chekhov recognised and promoted this skill. When Konstantin Stanislavski spoke of acting. he said, 'if it becomes conscious, it is lost.' For me, this means if you have to think about how your character is using their hands, what gestures they make, and how they movement, it will look false and 'acted'.
And of course, he also said 'When we are on stage, we are in the here and now.' If you are NOT in the moment, you cannot be truly on stage because your mind is elsewhere and you're not inhabiting the world of your character.
As mentioned above, all the top acting schools offer Alexander Technique tuition, so it will come as no surprise that most actors are keen devotees. Among today's actors these include Dame Judi Dench, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kenneth Branagh, Morgan Freeman, Sir Ian McKellen, Jessica Chastain, Sarah Paulson, Hilary Swank and Sir Patrick Stewart, to name but a few.
If you're interested in learning this remarkable technique please see below, or contact me for further information.
Top acting teachers such as Stanislavski, Adler, Meisner and Chekhov recognised and promoted this skill. When Konstantin Stanislavski spoke of acting. he said, 'if it becomes conscious, it is lost.' For me, this means if you have to think about how your character is using their hands, what gestures they make, and how they movement, it will look false and 'acted'.
And of course, he also said 'When we are on stage, we are in the here and now.' If you are NOT in the moment, you cannot be truly on stage because your mind is elsewhere and you're not inhabiting the world of your character.
As mentioned above, all the top acting schools offer Alexander Technique tuition, so it will come as no surprise that most actors are keen devotees. Among today's actors these include Dame Judi Dench, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kenneth Branagh, Morgan Freeman, Sir Ian McKellen, Jessica Chastain, Sarah Paulson, Hilary Swank and Sir Patrick Stewart, to name but a few.
If you're interested in learning this remarkable technique please see below, or contact me for further information.
Alexander Technique Courses for Actors
I've designed a series of courses that can be delivered at your theatre, school or amateur dramatics group. Note, I can offer variations on these formats based upon your specific requirements. For example, should you wish to focus on dealing with performance anxiety, a one-hour session can be arranged. Individual lessons are also available on request. Read client testimonials here.
Course #1: Introduction to The Alexander Technique for Actors | Duration: 2.5 hours
The course objective is for actors to recognise the factors that underpin performance.
The session includes:-
Course #1: Introduction to The Alexander Technique for Actors | Duration: 2.5 hours
The course objective is for actors to recognise the factors that underpin performance.
The session includes:-
- Making good posture easy
- The impact of posture on breathing and voice
- Promoting poise, balance and efficient movement
- Preparing to prepare
- How to use nerves/ performance anxiety to your benefit
| AT Actors Course 1.pdf |
Course #2: Taking Your Performance to the Next Level | Duration: 1 Day (5 hours in total)
This day course includes all the elements from Course #1 above, plus
This day course includes all the elements from Course #1 above, plus
- Self-care and relaxation techniques for staying healthy while coping with the demands of acting.
- Practical techniques to help you get into the 'here and now' for the stage
- Giving yourself over to your character
| AT Actors Course 2.pdf |
Course #3: Moving Forward and Up! | Duration: 6 Weeks (6 x 2 hour sessions)
The full course over 6 week covers all the elements of Course #2 above, plus
The full course over 6 week covers all the elements of Course #2 above, plus
- Freeing up yourself for improvisation
- The As-If principle and acting
- Understanding Chekhov and the Psychological Gesture
- Applying marginal gains to improving your acting