The Actors Studio
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The Actors Studio is a membership organization for professional actors located in the Old Labor Stage at 432 West 44th Street in New York City. It is not a part of the New School University. Until recently it collaborated with New School University in the education of Masters level theatre students at Actors Studio Drama School. Founded in 1947 by Elia Kazan, Cheryl Crawford, and Robert Lewis, the Studio is known for its work refining and teaching method acting, an approach originally developed by the Group Theatre in the 1930s based on the innovations of Konstantin Stanislavski.
The Studio came to worldwide recognition under the leadership of Lee Strasberg, who took over the helm in 1952.
While at the Studio, actors work together to develop their skills in an experimental environment, where they can take risks as performers without the pressure of commercial roles.
The television program Inside the Actors Studio, hosted by James Lipton (who was also dean of Actors Studio Drama School (ASDS)) and airing on the cable television network Bravo, provides in-depth interviews with actors, directors, writers, and other artists, some of whom are members of the Studio. It was taped in front of students of the ASDS as well.
Famous alumni
Over its long history, many famous and successful actors, directors and playwrights have come out of the Studio, including:
- Edward Albee
- James Baldwin
- Anne Bancroft
- Marlon Brando
- James Dean
- Jane Fonda
- Norman Mailer
- Steve McQueen
- Marilyn Monroe
- Paul Newman
- Robert Ginty
- Robert de Niro
- Al Pacino
- Geraldine Page
- Sidney Poitier
- Mickey Rourke
- Kim Stanley
- Eli Wallach
- Tennessee Williams
- Shelley Winters
- Joanne Woodward
- Scott Patterson
External links
- History of the Actors Studio (http://www.actors-studio.com/)
- PBS American Masters Series profile (http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/actors_studio.html)
- Inside the Actors Studio (http://www.bravotv.com/Inside_the_Actors_Studio/)de:The Actors Studio