Scene Study

Abstract

Explorations into the interplay of acting and being enhance scene study by fleshing out back story, reinforcing given circumstances between characters on and off stage, unearthing subtext, affecting actions that mirror the character’s soul, sensibility and psyche, expanding text analysis and accessing various genres and time periods through imaginative play. A framework for initiating scene research, called play elements, is based on Stanislavski’s teachings. These elements are: setting (place and environment); actions (wants and drives); objectives (needs and intentions); characters (identity and relationships); time (past, present and future); activities (tasks and habits); and super-objective (journey and theme). Explorations involve impulse work, physical exchange and self-expansion, to address scenes from multiple playwrights and genres and from Chekhov and Shakespeare. Scene notes provide examples of character reflections based on explorations.