Enhance your theater knowledge with 7 essential books from the Neighborhood Playhouse, covering acting techniques, history, and influential playwrights.
Sanford Meisner’s Legacy: Biography and Acting Techniques
Uncover Sanford Meisner’s profound impact on acting through his biography and innovative techniques that shaped modern performance art.
6 Essential Reads for Aspiring Directors: Elia Kazan’s Legacy
Uncover the influence of Elia Kazan’s filmmaking techniques with six must-read books that shape the vision of aspiring directors today.
8 Essential Theatre Books for Group Theatre Enthusiasts
Uncover 8 must-read theatre books and Meisner resources tailored for group theatre enthusiasts, enhancing collaboration and performance skills.
Laban Movement Analysis Technique: Art of Expressive Movement
Movement in Acting is more than just hitting cues or marks—it is about embodying your voice, emotions, and most importantly, movement. The way an actor moves can communicate just as much as, if not more than, their words. This is where Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) becomes a powerful tool. Actors need to develop movement so they can do handicaps, impediments …
Why Do You Want to Be an Actor?
Acting is one of the most exhilarating, challenging, and rewarding professions in the world. It requires immense dedication, emotional depth, and a passion for storytelling. Many people dream of becoming actors, but the question remains: why do you want to be an actor? Understanding the deeper motivation behind your desire to act can shape your approach, define your commitment, and …
What Techniques Help You Stay Emotionally Connected
Emotional connection is the foundation of great acting. Without it, performances feel hollow, forced, or disconnected from truth. Whether performing on stage, in front of a camera, or during an audition, staying emotionally connected allows actors to create compelling, believable acting circumstances. But how can actors maintain this connection throughout their careers? In this article, we’ll explore techniques that help …
How to Balance Emotional Preparation with Spontaneity in Acting
Acting is an art form that requires both deep emotional commitment and the ability to remain open, flexible, and spontaneous. The challenge many actors face is balancing emotional preparation (building the right emotional state before a scene) with spontaneity (allowing natural, unplanned reactions to emerge in the moment). Some actors lean too heavily on emotional preparation, which can make their …
How You Can Increase Your Comfort Taking Risks
Acting is about stepping into the unknown, embracing vulnerability, and pushing boundaries. The best performances often come from actors who are willing to take risks—whether that means making bold choices, fully committing to an emotion, or stepping outside their comfort zone. However, taking risks can be intimidating, and many actors struggle with fear, self-doubt, or the desire to “play it …
Choosing the Right Scene for Your Acting Class
Acting classes provide a safe and creative space for actors to grow, experiment, and refine their craft. One of the most critical components of an acting class is scene work, where actors bring scripts to life through performance. Choosing the right scene is essential for developing your skills, pushing emotional boundaries, and improving your technique. In this article, we’ll explore …
Are You Truly Listening to Your Scene Partner in Acting?
One of the most crucial skills an actor can develop is active listening. Great acting isn’t just about delivering lines with the right emotion—it’s about how you respond to your scene partner in the moment. True listening is what makes performances feel natural, dynamic, and alive. Yet, many actors struggle with truly hearing and responding because they’re focused on their …
Best Scenes for Acting Class: Exploring Emotional Depth
Acting classes are essential for actors to sharpen their skills, experiment with emotions, and develop their craft. One of the most effective ways to grow as an actor is by performing scenes that challenge emotional range, character development, and authenticity. In this article, we’ll explore the best scenes for acting class, categorized by different emotions. Each scene provides an opportunity …
Reading is Key in Acting: How To Script Analysis
Acting is not just about delivering lines —it’s about understanding the deeper meaning behind every scene. One of the most powerful tools an actor can use to enhance their performance is reading. Whether it’s reading scripts, novels, plays, or even poetry, developing strong reading habits can help actors build emotional depth, improve or developing depth, and strengthen their storytelling abilities. …
How Do You Respond When Your Scene Partner Does Something Unexpected?
In acting, unpredictability is a gift. Whether in theater, film, or improvisation, unexpected moments bring authenticity, spontaneity, and deeper emotional truth to a performance. But for many actors, responding to an unforeseen choice can feel unsettling. What happens when your scene partner changes a line, shifts their emotional tone, or does something you didn’t expect? Great actors don’t just react …
How Actors Can Train and Expand Their Emotional Range
Emotion is the lifeblood of acting. It breathes authenticity into performances, allowing actors to create compelling, memorable stories. However, many actors find themselves limited in their emotional range, relying on a small set of emotions they feel most comfortable expressing. To become a truly versatile performer, an actor must train and expand their emotional range, learning how to access a …
Meisner: Reasons to Knock on the Door
Sanford Meisner’s acting technique is built on truthful, moment-to-moment behavior and deep emotional connection. One of the core exercises in the Meisner Technique is the “door knock” exercise, a simple yet profound training tool designed to teach actors how to enter a scene truthfully, engage in organic interaction, and respond with authentic emotion. In this article, we’ll explore the importance …
What is a Meisner Activity?
The Meisner Technique, developed by Sanford Meisner, is one of the most influential acting training methods, emphasizing truthful, instinctive responses and deep emotional engagement. At the heart of this technique lies the Meisner Activity, an exercise designed to train actors to focus on their scene partner, stay emotionally present, and develop truthful behavior under imaginary circumstances. A Meisner Activity is …
What is Emotional Continuity for Film and Television Actors?
Acting for film and television requires a unique set of skills, and one of the most crucial is emotional continuity. Unlike theater, where performances unfold in a continuous flow from start to finish, film and television actors must maintain consistent emotional depth and timing across multiple takes, angles, and shooting schedules. Emotional continuity ensures that an actor’s performance remains believable …
Simon Blake – Acting Coach & Emotional Preparation Expert
Simon Blake is a dedicated acting coach and expert in Emotional Preparation, helping actors unlock deep, authentic emotions for powerful performances. With decades of experience and a passion for actor training, Simon has studied over 8000 acting classes, including Meisner Training, Spoon Rivers, Particularizations, Improvisation, and Emotional Activation techniques. Link: 2100+ Emotions Compendium Available Now!!Link: MEISNER ACTIVITIES. ORDER NOW!Link: Reasons …
Surface Acting vs. Deep Acting: Understanding the Emotional Approaches
Acting is an art that demands emotional truth and authenticity. However, not all actors access emotions in the same way. Some rely on external expressions and controlled gestures, while others deeply immerse themselves in their acting emotions. These two primary approaches to emotional performance are known as Surface Acting and Deep Acting. Both techniques have their place in performance, and …