Anton Chekhov: The Stanislavsky Method

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Konstantin Sergeyevich Stanislavsky, more commonly known in English transliteration as Constantin Stanislavski was a Russian actor and director. He developed the naturalistic acting technique known as the "Stanislavsky method". He was born under the name Konstantin Sergeyevich Alekseyev in Moscow, Russia, in January 1863. He was born into one of the richest Russian families the Alexeyevs. They made their fortune with their factories creating gold and silver braiding for military decorations and uniforms. Stanislavsky was his adopted pseudonym, which he gave himself in 1885, as he had to hide his acting activities away from his family. The idea of becoming an actor was unthinkable for someone of his social status. Therefore, he had to perform …show more content…

They opened in October 1898 with the play Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich by Aleksey K. Tolstoy with success. It was followed by the play The Seagull by Anton Chekhov who produced plays specifically suited for the company. Over time the Moscow Art Theater gained a great success in Russia as well as internationally with plays like: The Petty Bourgeois, An Enemy of the People and The Blue Bird. In 1912, First Studio was created by Stanislavski and served as a training ground for young actors. It was during the years in the Moscow Art Theater when Stanislavski worked on his acting method which later came to be known as "Stanislavski method" or "Stanislavski system". Between the year 1922 and 1924 the Moscow Art Theater toured the world. They performed in various parts of Europe and the United States. Several of the companies actors decided to stay in the United States after the tour and formed the Group Theater, helping to spread Stanislavski method of acting over the sea. It became highly influential in theater communities and Hollywood in the mid 20th century. Stanislavski suffered a heart attack during the celebratory performance for the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Moscow Art Theater. He spend his last years writing, directing and teaching and died on August 7,

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