Actors Studio

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Actors Studio. Manhattan Plaza is behind the structure.

The Actors Studio is a membership organization for professional actors, theatre directors and playwrights at 432 West 44th Street in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. It was founded October 5, 1947 by Elia Kazan, Cheryl Crawford, Robert Lewis and Anna Sokolow who taught movement for actors^[1]. Lee Strasberg joined later and took the helm in 1951 until his death on February 17, 1982. The Studio is best known for its work refining and teaching method acting. This approach was originally developed by the Group Theatre in the 1930s based on the innovations of Constantin Stanislavski. While at the Studio, actors work together to develop their skills in a private environment, where they can take risks as performers without the pressure of commercial roles.

The group initially met in a rehearsal space in the Princess Theatre ^[2] In 1955 it moved to its current location in the former Seventh Associate Presbyterian Church (built in 1859).^[3]

In 1965 The Actors Studio opened its west coast branch in West Hollywood, California. It is called The Actors Studio West run by co-artistic directors Mark Rydell and Martin Landau. This is the only official branch of The Actors Studio in the world.

The Actors Studio Drama School

From September 1994 through May 2005, the Studio collaborated with The New School in the education of masters-level theater students at the Actors Studio Drama School (ASDS). After months of negotiation, New School President Bob Kerrey decided not to renew the Studio's contract.

The television program Inside the Actors Studio first aired in 1994 on the cable television network Bravo. Its host was and still is James Lipton, Dean Emeritus of the Actors Studio Drama School; it provides in-depth interviews with actors, directors, writers, and other artists, some but not all of whom are members of the Studio. The program is taped in front of the students of ASDS at Pace University, and serves as a class seminar for them. Beginning with the twelfth season in the fall of 2005, Inside the Actors Studio is taped at the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University's New York City campus. The show now has a new set with a gritty backstage feel, designed by Will Rothfuss for Blair Broadcast Designs, and The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University has re-opened in new facilities.

Famous alumni

Over its long history, many famous and successful actors, directors and playwrights have come out of the Studio, including:

References

External links

• The official web site of The Actors Studio
• PBS American Masters Series profile
• Inside the Actors Studio
• The Actors Studio MFA Program at Pace University
• Audio collection of the Actors Studio from 1956-1969 at the Wisconsin Historical Society

Coordinates: 40°45′36″N 73°59′34″W / 40.760068°N 73.992654°W / 40.760068; -73.992654