Remixing Your Repertoire: Expanding Your Acting Toolbox
Every actor, whether formally trained or self-taught, develops their craft through a mix of influences. Maybe you swear by Meisner’s “living truthfully,” lean into Method’s emotional recall, or prefer Stanislavski’s psychological realism. Even if you’ve never trained in a classroom setting, chances are the actors you admire—and the performances you study—have shaped your technique, often without you realising it.
But what if your current approach is only part of the picture?
Break Out of Your Acting Comfort Zone
Most actors naturally gravitate toward certain styles of training. Maybe you’ve trained in one particular technique because that’s what your school focused on, or maybe you’ve avoided others because they didn’t feel like the right fit. But every acting method has something valuable to offer—and broadening your toolkit can make you a more flexible, dynamic performer.
Today's Challenge: Explore a New Approach
🔍 Step 1: Reflect on Your Influences
Think about the techniques that have shaped you so far. Which ones do you actively use? Which ones do you ignore—either by choice or because you haven’t been exposed to them?
📚 Step 2: Do Some Research
Choose an acting method you’ve never studied in depth and dig into it. Maybe that means reading a book, watching a workshop, or even just researching the core principles. Here are some lesser-practiced methods that might push you into new creative territory:
🎭 Grotowski (Physical Acting & Poor Theatre) – Strips away elaborate sets and costumes, forcing actors to rely purely on physical expression, voice, and raw human connection. A great approach for those looking to refine their physicality and emotional authenticity.
🎭 Demidov Technique – Developed by one of Stanislavski’s early students, this method focuses on freeing the subconscious in performance. Instead of forcing emotions, actors let them arise naturally through deep relaxation, removing the pressure to “manufacture” feelings.
🎭 Michael Chekhov Technique – Uses psychological gestures (large physical movements) to unlock emotions and character traits, helping actors externalize their inner world.
🎭 Viewpoints Method – A movement-based approach that sharpens spatial awareness and presence, helping actors respond instinctively to their physical environment and fellow performers.
🎭 Practical Aesthetics (Mamet & Macy) – Focuses on a clear, no-nonsense approach to script analysis, action-based choices, and simple, truthful performance. Ideal for actors who prefer a more logical and direct approach.
🎭 Brechtian Acting (Epic Theatre) – Encourages actors to remind the audience that they are watching a performance rather than aiming for realism. Techniques like direct address and visible storytelling devices make for a bold, thought-provoking style of acting.
🎬 Step 3: Experiment With It
Try incorporating elements of a new technique into your next rehearsal, self-tape, or improv session. Some approaches might feel uncomfortable at first—but that discomfort often signals growth.
Essential Reading: Books for Expanding Your Acting Toolbox
If you're ready to remix your repertoire, learning directly from the pioneers of each technique is a great place to start. Here are recommended books for each acting method, giving you a deeper understanding of these unique approaches.
Mainstream Acting Techniques
📖 Meisner Technique – "Living Truthfully in the Moment"
Sanford Meisner on Acting – Sanford Meisner & Dennis Longwell
📖 Stella Adler – Imagination Over Personal Experience
The Art of Acting – Stella Adler
📖 Stanislavski System – Psychological Realism & Objectives
An Actor Prepares – Konstantin Stanislavski
📖 Method Acting – Emotional Recall & Deep Character Immersion
The Method: How the Twentieth Century Learned to Act – Isaac Butler
📖 Michael Chekhov Technique – Psychological Gesture & Energy
To the Actor: On the Technique of Acting – Michael Chekhov
Lesser-Practiced Techniques
📖 Grotowski – Physical Theatre & Poor Theatre
Towards a Poor Theatre – Jerzy Grotowski
📖 Demidov Technique – Freeing the Actor’s Subconscious
The Actor’s Secret: Techniques from the Demidov School – Nikolai Demidov, edited by Andrei Malaev-Babel
📖 Viewpoints – Physical & Spatial Awareness in Performance
The Viewpoints Book: A Practical Guide to Viewpoints and Composition – Anne Bogart & Tina Landau
📖 Practical Aesthetics (Mamet & Macy) – No-Nonsense Acting
A Practical Handbook for the Actor – Melissa Bruder et al.
📖 Brechtian Acting (Epic Theatre) – Political & Theatrical Awareness
Brecht on Theatre: The Development of an Aesthetic – Bertolt Brecht
Why This Matters
The best actors don’t lock themselves into one way of working. They pull from different styles and adapt to the demands of each role. Some techniques will resonate, some won’t—but the only way to find out is to experiment.
✅ Pick one method you’re unfamiliar with and give it a try.
✅ Combine elements from different techniques to create a personalised acting approach.
✅ Experiment! Some techniques will challenge you, some will click, and some might not work for you at all—but the only way to know is to try.
🎭 So, which new technique are you exploring next? 🔥
