The Actor's Studio
The Actor's Studio is a theatrical school and working group founded in 1947 by Elia Kazan, Cheryl Crawford and Robert Lewis. The Studio is known for its work refining and teaching "Method acting", an approach to acting originally developed by the Group Theatre in the 1930s and based upon the innovations of Konstantin Stanislavski. It is located in the Old Labor Stage on 44th Street, New York City.
The Studio came to worldwide recognition under the leadership of Lee Strasberg, who took over the helm in 1952.
While working at the Studio, actors work together to develop their skills in an experimental environment, where they can take risks as performers without the pressure of commercial roles.
Over its long history, many famous and successful directors, actors and playwrights have come out of the Studio, including:
- Edward Albee
- James Baldwin
- Marlon Brando
- James Dean
- Norman Mailer
- Marilyn Monroe
- Paul Newman
- Robert de Niro
- Sidney Poitier
- Kim Stanley
- Eli Wallach
- Tennessee Williams
The television program Inside the Actors Studio, hosted by James Lipton (who is also Dean of the Studio) and airing on the cable network Bravo, provides in-depth interviews with actors, many of whom are students of the school. It is taped in front of students of the school as well.
