<p>Quick note about U Arts, they do use Meisner but they also use other techniques. They don’t have as much emphasis on it as Rutgers.</p>
<p>For anybody looking into a school with a heavy emphasis on Meisner, there is a new book out entitled The Actor’s Guide to Creating a Character by William Esper and Damon Dimarco that covers the second year of that training. I just finished it and think it would be well worth the investment along with the other two books I previously mentioned on this thread that cover the first year. It’s great that it’s finally been written as it should clear up a lot of long-held misconceptions about the technique. It might even serve to put some of the frauds around LA who claim to teach it but don’t know what they’re talking about out of business. Happy day … </p>
<p>Wow, look at that. Speak her name and she appears! 
Someone was asking in another thread today where you were, Fish, and noting that you hadn’t been around in a while.</p>
<p>Oh, I’m still out here. Life’s just kind of taken a turn for the busy and I’m honestly kind of tapped out on college info. It’s been awhile, but good to see you’re still around. :)</p>
<p>I read a book when I realized my D was serious about pursuing theatre - it is called, “The Training of the American Actor” by Arthur Bartow and it goes into detail about all the methods (like, 20 of them I recall). Some methods really speak to you and you feel you would benefit from them, and others - not so much. It’s not an “easy read” - it’s packed with information. It took me a few weeks to read through it. It was very worthwhile reading. </p>
<p>I always asked at the Q&A sessions at college visits, “what method do you teach” and I actually, sort of, knew what they were talking about when they answered. You can e-mail all the schools and ask them if you can’t visit a particular school. The heads of the departments, I have found, are delighted to answer questions about their program.</p>
<p>I know LIU Post teaches the Suzuki method, which is based in the body, not the head. I’m not sure how that equates with your description of “outside-in” but it’s worth a couple of e-mails to the schools to find out the method of acting used. I just went on Amazon and saw the book for less than $20 so it’s affordable for most people, but your local library might be able to get it as well.</p>
<p>Just to confirm what dramamom said as a UArts student, UArts currently has a year of Meisner training that takes place during the sophomore year. Besides that, Freshman year is more eclectic that involves ensemble building, getting rid of bad habits, starting to get you to really listen, etc. Junior year is more Stanislavsky based, and Senior year is Shakespeare.</p>
<p>I know Rutgers is very Meisner-heavy. Obviously the Tisch Meisner studio is as well. And, unless things have changed in the past few years, I believe Northern Illinois University also has a great deal of Meisner training. But I know that many schools will at least have influences of Meisner Technique in them, as it has become so popular/successful for actors. Of course that is my subjective opinion, but I believe most would agree with that statement?</p>
<p>Also, as for the “bad” teachers - My professor at UArts was another teacher who trained under Sandy Meisner, both as an actor and then as a teacher. He agrees that there are many people who claim to teach the Meisner Technique who don’t know at all what they’re doing. But because there is no certification/approval system created, like the Linklater teacher program for example, nothing stops people from teaching it.</p>
<p>can someone help a mom understand what these techiques, Meisner, Strasberg, etc are all about. maybe give me a link. i don’t understand these terms and have not taken the time to research them. thanks! </p>
<p>There is a book called “Great Acting Teachers and Their Methods” by Richard Brestoff that would be helpful to you. It has short chapters on Meisner, Strasburg, Stella Adler, and others. It gives the basics and is an easy read. :)</p>
<p>thanks. Will look into it. Easy read is def a thumbs up for a busy mom!!! </p>
<p>:-)!! </p>