Stella Adler on Ibsen

Introductory class in text analysis, which leads into first lecture on Ibsen. From the mid-seventies

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Stella
• Adler
• Acting
• Ibsen

[coolioto]

What's with the pompous ass accent?

[miltonjustice]

@coolioto There was a period when all theatre actors had something of an affected way of speaking. If you can get past your attitude about how someone speaks, you might pick up something about acting.

[michaeloxavier]

Damn I wish this broad was still alive.

[lemaxmas]

@legatofancier Sorry to hear that about Bill. He could be tough, but I'd never experienced him as harsh. That's a shame if he's changed.

I was there too studying with the same people except for Fred Kareman, whom I'd heard great things about.

[lemaxmas]

@legatofancier Well said. Stella was a great actress and teacher.

[legatofancier]

@greenrate - Marlon Brando would have set you straight on that score. Robert DeNiro could set you straight today. My teacher, Sandy Meisner loved Stella and said that he learned a lot from her. Together, they had an enormously positive effect on acting in America. Gary Oldman (no slouch!) called her "the great Stella Adler." If you learn what you're talking about, it has a way of also teaching you some humility. Educate yourself in both cases and you won't sound so foolish.

[legatofancier]

@lemaxmas - Bill was Sandy's senior assistant when I studied at The Neighborhood Playhouse for two years. Bill Alderson & the late Fred Kareman were Sandy's other teaching assistants at that time. Fred was a remarkable teacher. However, I only had one class with Bill Alderson when he substituted for Bill Esper one day. Bill knows what he's doing, but he's gotten a reputation for harshness that doesn't do him credit. So, I'm cautious about recommending any teacher these days.

[lemaxmas]

@legatofancier Meisner and Stella Adler were one of a kind. But there are some fine acting teachers around that are perhaps close to the level of genius that these two people were. William Esper is one that I had personal experience with while studying with Sandy Meisner. I'd trust any teacher that was personally trained by him and who taught with him.

[catstaffo]

@therealplease Betsy Parrish.

[legatofancier]

@therealplease - Honestly, I have no idea who the best teachers now. Stella Adler was unique. She was American theater royalty. Her father was the great Jacob Adler; her mother was the remarkable Sara Adler; her brother was the superb Luther Adler. She was the only American born acting teacher who actually studied with Stanislavski. Sandy Meisner loved her personally and always said he learned a lot from her. Where are the likes of Stella & Sandy today? How I wish I knew.

[therealplease]

@legatofancier so... who is the "Stella Adler" of today?