This is one of the most fundamental principles of acting, especially within the Meisner Technique. It is the idea that “Acting is the reality of doing.” This phrase highlights the importance of truthful, spontaneous, and fully engaged behavior on stage and in front of the camera. Rather than pretending or indicating emotions, actors must live truthfully under imaginary circumstances by focusing on action, reaction, and genuine engagement in the moment.
This article explores the meaning, significance, and application of the idea that acting is the reality of doing—a core principle that distinguishes great performances from artificial ones.
The Meaning of “Acting Is the Reality of Doing”
The phrase “acting is the reality of doing” was coined by Sanford Meisner, one of the most influential acting teachers of the 20th century. It expresses the belief that authentic performance arises from truthful behavior, rather than from forced emotions or exaggerated gestures.
At its core, this principle means that:
- Actors should focus on actions rather than emotions.
- Truthful performances come from real responses, not artificial reactions.
- An actor must truly engage in an activity rather than pretend to do so.
- Acting should be natural, instinctive, and unselfconscious.
Instead of “showing” emotion, an actor must commit fully to the activity in the scene and allow their emotions to emerge naturally through the process of doing.
For example, if an actor is performing a scene where they must write a letter, they must actually write rather than pantomime or pretend to write. If they must drink coffee, they should truly drink a liquid instead of mimicking the action. These real actions anchor the performance in truthful behavior, making it more believable to an audience.
The Dangers of “Indicating” in Acting
A major mistake actors make when they ignore the reality of doing is indicating—a term that refers to acting that imitates emotions or actions rather than truly experiencing them. Indicating often looks exaggerated, forced, or unnatural.
Signs of Indicating in Acting:
- Over-exaggerated facial expressions to show emotion rather than feel it.
- Unnatural movements that lack real motivation.
- Forcing emotions instead of allowing them to arise naturally.
- Pantomiming actions without real engagement.
For example, an actor who “pretends” to cry by scrunching their face, rather than truly experiencing the emotions of the scene, is indicating. The audience can tell when an actor is faking something rather than actually engaging with it.
To avoid this, actors must focus on fully immersing themselves in the actions of the moment, allowing genuine feelings to emerge organically.
The Role of Actions in Creating Emotional Truth
A powerful aspect of Meisner’s philosophy is that emotions arise naturally when an actor is fully engaged in an activity. Instead of trying to force sadness, joy, or anger, an actor should focus on what they are doing—and let emotions follow.
Examples of Action-Driven Emotional Truth:
- If an actor is supposed to be grieving, they should focus on folding the clothes of a lost loved one or looking at old photographs.
- If an actor needs to feel frustration, they might struggle to open a stuck jar or deal with a difficult task.
- If an actor is supposed to feel excitement, they should physically engage in something joyful—like running or laughing with another character.
By emphasizing physical and psychological actions, actors avoid the trap of forcing emotions and instead create genuine, dynamic performances.
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How to Apply “The Reality of Doing” in Acting Training
Actors can train themselves to focus on the reality of doing by practicing techniques that emphasize truthful engagement and spontaneous reactions. Some key exercises include:
1. Meisner Repetition Exercise
One of the most famous techniques that reinforce “acting is the reality of doing” is the Meisner Repetition Exercise. This exercise trains actors to respond instinctively and truthfully rather than planning or forcing reactions.
- Two actors face each other and repeat a simple observation about one another (e.g., “You’re smiling”).
- The repetition continues, with actors responding naturally to small changes in behavior or emotion.
- The goal is to react truthfully in the moment, without forcing emotion or overthinking.
This teaches actors to live truthfully in the scene and respond authentically rather than delivering pre-planned reactions.
2. Independent Activities
Another useful exercise involves assigning actors a challenging task to complete while performing a scene. The goal is to focus on doing something real, so the performance remains grounded.
For example:
- Fixing a broken object while having an argument.
- Cooking a meal while delivering lines.
- Packing a suitcase while saying goodbye to a loved one.
This forces the actor to fully engage in the action, rather than focusing on how they appear to the audience.
3. Improvisation
Improvisation is one of the best ways to develop spontaneous, truthful acting. When actors improvise, they don’t have time to plan or force reactions—they must respond honestly and in real time.
Key improv techniques that reinforce the reality of doing include:
- Yes, And: Accepting and building on whatever is happening in the scene.
- Reacting in the Moment: Not thinking ahead but responding truthfully.
- Using Physicality: Engaging with objects, people, and space naturally.
Improvisation helps actors trust their instincts, rather than manufacturing emotions.
The Impact of “Reality of Doing” in Acting Careers
Actors who fully embrace the reality of doing create performances that feel natural, believable, and emotionally compelling. Some of the greatest actors in film and theater are known for their deep commitment to real, organic behavior in their roles.
Famous Actors Known for “Reality of Doing” Performances:
- Marlon Brando (A Streetcar Named Desire, The Godfather) – Used real-life behaviors to create authentic performances.
- Meryl Streep (Sophie’s Choice, The Devil Wears Prada) – Known for deeply inhabiting her characters through specific, truthful actions.
- Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood, Lincoln) – Fully engages in the physicality and psychology of every role.
These actors don’t simply pretend—they commit to fully living in the world of the character, which makes their performances deeply immersive and unforgettable.
Conclusion
“Acting is the reality of doing” is a principle that transforms actors from performers into truthful storytellers. By focusing on actions instead of forcing emotions, actors create believable, engaging performances that resonate with audiences.
Whether through Meisner exercises, improvisation, or fully engaging in physical tasks, actors who embrace the reality of doing unlock deeper, more truthful expressions of emotion.
In the end, great acting is not about showing an audience something—it’s about truly experiencing the moment, making it as real for the actor as it is for the viewer.
Final Thoughts:
The key is to incorporate what into your acting “doing’s”. I like to call them doings. Both theater and film acting scenes can add doing’s into their acting and increase the interest in the scene. Actors talents come out of them in unique ways when they challenge themselves with doing independent activities during scene work.
Copyright 2025 Simon Blake
Link: 2100+ Emotions Compendium Available Now.
LINK: MEISNER ACTIVITIES. ORDER NOW!