by Rhyll Davis

 

Fitzrovia News Issue 110, Autumn 2008 

 

With its proximity to the famous West End theatres, and its long history of theatrical inhabitants Fitzrovia has a lot to offer the budding actor. One of those resources is The Actors’ Temple in Warren Street , a training centre and acting company specialising in the US-based Meisner Technique.

 

Led by enterprising young actors Mark Wakeling and Ellie Zeegan, The Actors’ Temple was set up in 2002 and moved to its current location at 13-14 Warren Street eighteen months ago.  Ellie explains, “The Actors’ Temple is about being a part of a community.  We always wanted to set up a company of actors with a shared ethos.”

 

That ethos is based on continually learning, refining and deepening their acting skills, using the techniques developed by Sanford Meisner.  Born in Brooklyn in 1905, Meisner was an original member of the Group Theatre in New York before going on to teach at the famous Neighborhood Playhouse.  Here he developed his own acting technique derived from the pioneering “realism” style of late nineteenth century Russian theatre practitioner Konstantin Stanislavski. 

 

In 1995 Meisner founded the Sanford Meisner Center for the Arts in North Hollywood , and it was here that The Actors’ Temple co-director Tom Radcliffe studied under the man himself.  Tom’s commitment and passion for the training led to Sanford Meisner personally recommending him to teach the technique in the UK .

 

But why does an actor need a “technique?”  Don’t you just get up on the stage and, well, ACT?  As Ellie explains, one would not think of questioning a concert pianist continuing to practise and polish their skill, nor would they wonder at a respected sculptor continuing to study under a master.  Acting is another craft, to be learnt and constantly improved and refined.  Meisner “provides you with a toolkit which is applicable across the full variety of roles and genres which you will encounter in your career.”

 

"Acting is the ability to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances” is Meisner’s maxim, and prominent actors to have undertaken training under Sanford Meisner include Robert Duvall, James Gandolfini, Jeff Goldblum, Diane Keaton, Grace Kelly, Gregory Peck, Jon Voight and Philip Seymour Hoffman.  Qualities of Meisner-trained actors are strong improvisational skills, an easy spontaneity, a regard for truthful behaviour and a devotion to the "reality" of a moment. Other notable aspects of the training include an ability to accurately read another's behaviour and the confidence to "live" onstage, moment-to-moment with an outward focus.

 

While of course the idea of attending acting training appeals mostly to aspiring actors The Actors’ Temple is open to all, with students including businesspeople, stay-at-home parents and retirees.  “Meisner makes you more aware of what’s important to you – it awakens something in everyone,” says Ellie.  “My attention is so much more focused in general, not just as an actress.”

 

Classes on offer range from the one-week introduction course to the full 22-week course which is split into various five- and two-week intensives over a period of 12-18 months, with various options in between.  Continuation training and improvisation drop-in classes are also on offer, and class times vary between full-time and part-time and are available both during the day and in the evenings.  Members of the public are welcome to observe a class for free, to help them gain an insight into what the classes involve.  

 

In addition to its classes focused on developing acting skills, The Actors’ Temple recently launched its Temple Training company which applies Meisner methodology to the corporate environment and focuses on all aspects of interpersonal communication.  It aims to “inspire, challenge and encourage people to rethink their usual ways of working and communicating.”

 

“In today’s throwaway society, it is about having the faith to learn something,” says Ellie.  “The Actors’ Temple is a true community – that is, a society that is empathetic.  It gives our actors real meaning and purpose.  It makes you more aware of what’s important to you.  It awakens something in everyone.”

 

Meisner practitioner, and Oscar and BAFTA winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman offers this advice to aspiring actors: "Study, find all the good teachers and study with them, get involved in acting to act, not to be famous or for the money. Do plays. It's not worth it if you are just in it for the money. You have to love it”

 

The Actors’ Temple , 13-14 Warren Street W1T 5LG

Tel: 020 7383 3535