Actors Studio

Actors Studio, American acting workshop. Located in New York City, the Studio has been the main source and inspiration for a naturalistic acting technique known in America as “the Method.” Under its artistic director, Lee Strasberg, the Studio adapted many of the techniques developed by Russian director Konstantin Stanislavsky for training actors to feel and realistically portray the emotions of their characters. The intense emotional realism achieved by workshop students—who have included Marlon Brando, James Dean, Geraldine Page, Rod Steiger, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Jane Fonda—has influenced actors worldwide.

Actors Studio was founded in 1947 by producer Cheryl Crawford and directors Robert Lewis and Elia Kazan. Strasberg became artistic director in 1951 and continued in that role until his death in 1982. Lifetime membership in the Studio is by invitation and based on an audition.