"These DVDs, with their talented teachers and responsive, inquisitive students are an immeasurably creative tool for teaching and learning, getting closer to the actor's art and serving as a legacy for the seminal work of Michael Chekhov."
- Zelda Fichandler, Chair, Tisch School of the Arts, Graduate Acting Program
Zelda Fichandler has written the introduction to this set of three DVDs which are professionally produced to a high broadcast quality and present an unprecedented level of access to the practice of the Chekhov technique. Tisch Graduate Acting faculty member, Joanna Merlin, produced and is co-artistic director of this six hour collection of filmed workshops by world-renowned Chekhov experts demonstrating his approach to actor-training, including:
- exercises in body awareness
- 'the four brothers' - Ease, Form, Beauty, and sense of the whole
- qualities of movement - molding, floating, flying and radiating
- psychological gesture
- imaginary body and character's center
The DVD brings to life all the essential elements of the Michael Chekhov technique in a way which is clear, engaging, practical and dynamic. It is a unique and essential training tool for all teachers, students, actors and directors and a copy should be in every library in every institution.
Produced by the Michael Chekhov Association, the classes feature many of the world's leading practitioners and teachers of the Michael Chekhov Technique, including teachers Ragnar Freidank, Joanna Merlin, Lenard Petit, Ted Pugh and Fern Sloan and actors Dawn Arnold, Bethany Caputo, Jessica Cerullo, John Capalbo, Anne Gottleib, Hugh O'Gorman and Mel Shrawder. The classes are followed by a panel discussion with former students of Michael Chekhov, Jack Colvin, Joanna Merlin and Mala Powers.
Produced by the Michael Chekhov Association, DVD series is distributed by Routledge. Visit the Michael Chekhov Association web site for more information or visit Routledge to order the DVD set.
