
Lee Strasberg and Method Acting: Historical Origins, Pedagogical Foundations, and Contributions to Theatre
Chapter from the book:
Sarıca Zerenler,
D.
(ed.)
2025.
Projections FromTwentieth Century Theatre .
Synopsis
This study examines the historical development, pedagogical foundations, and theatrical contributions of Lee Strasberg’s Method Acting. Rooted in Stanislavski’s system and shaped by Vakhtangov’s influence, this approach was institutionalized through Strasberg’s work at the American Laboratory Theatre, the Group Theatre, and the Actors Studio. The Method envisions the actor’s body and mind as instruments, employing techniques such as relaxation, concentration, sense memory, and affective memory to create authentic reality on stage. In this respect, Strasberg’s legacy offers a lasting pedagogical and artistic vision that pioneered the pursuit of naturalness, creativity, and inner depth in twentieth-century theatre and cinema.