Alexander Technique can be an invaluable tool for actors and performers to:
- Enhance your movement skills, breath control, vocal production and range of physical and vocal choices.
- Prevent injury and reduce pain from strenuous physical activity associated with acting as well as daily life activities that can interfere with your ability to act.
- Work with strength and endurance to create powerful characterizations without strain.
- Center yourself and free your imagination to enhance creativity.
- Avoid personal movement habits that do not belong to a character.
- Improve spatial awareness and the ability to relate to other actors, props, and sets.
Rationale:
- F.M. Alexander himself was an actor who developed this technique to conquer his habit of straining his voice while acting. He subsequently helped other people, including many Australian and British actors of his time, to overcome physical habits that caused problems of coordination and breathing.
- Many theater departments in Universities have included A.T. as part of theatrical training. A partial list of these in the United States includes: The Actors Studio in New York, Juilliard, American Conservatory Theater, University of California at Los Angeles, Yale, George Washington University, Brandeis, University of North Carolina, New York University/Tisch School, University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and University of Washington.
Many theater schools also offer Alexander Technique, including Studio Theatre in D.C., Chatauqua Conservatory Theatre Company, Circle in the Square, O’Neill National Theatre Institute, Stratford Shakespearean Festival, and many more. - Many well-known successful actors have studied and endorsed the Alexander Technique. A partial list includes William Hurt, Paul Newman, Jeremy Irons, Joel Gray, Mary Steenbergen, Julie Andrews, Patrick Stewart, Kevin Kline, Joanne, Woodward, John Cleese, John Houseman, Robin Williams, James Earl Jones, Christopher Reeve, Ben Kingsley, Keanu Reeves and Hillary Swank.
In classes or private lessons, actors:
- Study of the principles of the Alexander Technique and how it relates to the facilitation of excellent skills in theater
- Receive hands-on work by the teacher to manifest these principles a) in general movement activities – including sitting, standing, bending, walking, running and b) in daily task activities (e.g., driving, sleeping, cooking, typing, carrying objects, manipulating tools)
- Practice spatial awareness exercises
- Receive hands-on work by the teacher to manifest principles in vocal work including exercises, monologues, dialogs and singing
- Develop group observation skills
- Practice partner exercises leading into character relationships
- Explore specific vocal delivery of script material and movement assistance for current plays – including hands-on as well as verbal direction (and notes) from teacher in private lessons and rehearsals
