Actors Studio facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Actors Studio

Facade in 2018
Formation	October 5, 1947; 77 years ago (October 5, 1947)
Type	Drama school
Purpose	Organization for professional actors, theatre directors and playwrights
Headquarters	432 West 44th Street Manhattan, New York City
Region served	United States
Key people	Al Pacino, Alec Baldwin, Ellen Burstyn (co-presidents) Beau Gravitte (artistic director) Estelle Parsons (assistant artistic director)

The Actors Studio is a special club for professional actors, theatre directors, and writers. It's located in New York City, in an area called Hell's Kitchen.

This studio is famous for teaching and improving a style of acting called "method acting." This acting style helps performers truly understand and feel their characters' emotions.

The Actors Studio was started in 1947 by Elia Kazan, Cheryl Crawford, and Robert Lewis. Later, Lee Strasberg became its director. These founders were all part of an earlier group called the Group Theatre. They were among the first to use the acting ideas of Constantin Stanislavsky, which later became known as method acting.

Many famous actors and writers have worked at the studio. These include Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, Lorraine Hansberry, and James Baldwin.

At the studio, members can practice their skills in a safe place. They can try new things without the pressure of a real performance or a commercial role.

As of May 2018, the studio's co-presidents are Ellen Burstyn, Alec Baldwin, and Al Pacino. Beau Gravitte is the artistic director in New York, and Estelle Parsons is the associate artistic director.

History of the Actors Studio

The Actors Studio officially opened on October 6, 1947. Before that, its founders met to discuss their goals and rules.

The founders, Elia Kazan, Cheryl Crawford, and Robert Lewis, had all been part of the Group Theatre. This group had started using method acting in the 1930s. Method acting is based on techniques taught by Constantin Stanislavsky at the Moscow Art Theatre.

Lee Strasberg further developed method acting at the Actors Studio. He had studied Stanislavsky's ideas closely. Strasberg became the studio's director in 1952 and led it until his death in 1982.

In its first year, about 700 actors tried out for the studio. Only 50 were chosen as the first members, including Marlon Brando. Once actors pass the audition, they become members for life. They can attend sessions where they show their work to each other. Sometimes, non-members like Marilyn Monroe were invited to present their work too.

The studio has also helped playwrights like Lorraine Hansberry, James Baldwin, Edward Albee, and Tennessee Williams develop new plays.

Where is the Actors Studio?

The Actors Studio moved several times before finding its permanent home in 1955.

It first opened in October 1947 at the Union Methodist Episcopal Church. This church was often used as a rehearsal space for theatre groups.

Over the next eight years, the studio moved to different locations. These included a dance studio, the CBS Building, and the old Theatre Guild rehearsal rooms.

In 1955, the Actors Studio moved to its current location at 432 West 44th Street. This building is a Greek Revival style structure. It was built in 1858 or 1859 as a church. It was one of the last churches in New York City built in that style.

Actors Studio Drama School

The Actors Studio also has a special drama school for students who want to earn a master's degree in theatre.

From 1994 to 2005, the studio worked with The New School to offer this program. After that, in 2006, the Actors Studio started its own program called The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University.

Famous Lifetime Members

Many well-known actors, directors, and writers have become Lifetime Members of the Actors Studio. Here are some of them (as of July 24, 2023):

See Also

In Spanish: Actors Studio para niños

• Inside the Actors Studio