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"The highest and final aim of every true artist, whatever his particular branch of art, maybe defined as the desire to express himself freely and completely."
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Michael Chekhov |
Michael Chekhov
'To the Actor'
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Michael Aleksandrovich
Chekhov was born in St. Petersburg in 1891. Stanislavsky recognized
his genius and appointed him as the Head of the Second Moscow Art Theatre, where Chekhov started to develop his innovative acting techniques.
A star in Russia, he was
forced to flee to avoid assassination by the new Soviet regime.
Chekhov then spent 10 years in Europe - acting, directing and establishing a school where he continued to experiment with his vision of the theatre.
World War II forced him to emigrate to America
where he taught many of Hollywood's most famous actors in the 1940s
and 50s. He received an Oscar Award Nomination for the role of Dr.
Alex Brulov in Hitchcock's 'Spellbound'.
Chekhov's influence is evident in actors as varied as Ingrid Bergman, Lloyd Bridges, Yul Brynner, Gary Cooper, Clint Eastwood, Anthony Hopkins, Marilyn Monroe, Jack Nicholson, Jack Palance and Anthony Quinn.
He was also highly
respected and admired by teachers and directors such as Stella Adler, Herbert Berghof, Morris Carnovsky,
Harold Clurman, Sanford Meisner and Lee Strasberg.
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Stella Adler and Stanislavsky |
Stanislavsky
talking about Chekhov with Stella Adler (who was Marlon
Brando's teacher), said:
"Seek him out,
wherever he is teaching or performing. He is my most brilliant pupil!" |
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Sanford Meisner |
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"Michael Chekhov made me realize that truth as naturalism was far from the truth. In him I witnessed exciting theatrical form with no loss of content, and I know I wanted that too."
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Sanford Meisner |
Michael Chekhov died in
Hollywood, in 1955, having spent his whole life creating a
completely new and radical approach to acting. His acting
techniques were, at one time, one of the best kept secrets in
the film and theatre business. Daniele Legler,
a passionate
admirer of Chekhov, has culled these techniques and compressed them into two dynamic Acting
Courses which, during one intense week, are designed
to help actors explore the vast scope and range of Chekhov's approach to acting. It
is this Course Format, created by Daniele, which is unique to The
Chekhov Actor's Training - worldwide.
The Relevance of
Chekhov's
Acting Technique - Today
More and more actors, directors and other creative artists are today looking for an opportunity
to master the revolutionary approach of Michael Chekhov's acting
techniques. The Chekhov Actor's Training
offers a Basic Training (8 days) and an
Advanced Training (7 days) intensive for both actors and directors in
film, TV and theatre.
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"Michael Chekhov stressed the use of the 'Imagination' rather than the actor's
personal history, characteristics and psychology. Anyone who believes there is
more than one way to develop a role, anyone looking for a valuable alternative
to 'Method Acting' may find
something extremely provocative and significant in Chekhov's
approach." |
The Drama Review 1983
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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