Realism A Theatrical movement from the late 19 th century that steered theatrical texts and performances toward greater fidelity to real life.

Notes on Realism The realist movement began with Henrik Ibsen and was largely developed by Constantin Stanislavsky and his Moscow Arts Theatre. Together with Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko the two pioneered a break away from the highly stylised and unrealistic theatre styles (e.g. Melodrama) prevailing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The realist movement began with Henrik Ibsen and was largely developed by Constantin Stanislavsky and his Moscow Arts Theatre. Together with Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko the two pioneered a break away from the highly stylised and unrealistic theatre styles (e.g. Melodrama) prevailing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Henrik Ibsen Ibsen is called the “Father of Realism” and the “Father of Modern Drama” Ibsen is called the “Father of Realism” and the “Father of Modern Drama” His plays were considered scandalous to many of his era, when Victorian values of family life and propriety largely held sway in Europe and any challenge to them was considered immoral and outrageous. His plays were considered scandalous to many of his era, when Victorian values of family life and propriety largely held sway in Europe and any challenge to them was considered immoral and outrageous. Ibsen's work examined the realities that lay behind many facades. Ibsen's work examined the realities that lay behind many facades. Ibsen introduced a critical eye and free inquiry into the conditions of life and issues of morality. Ibsen introduced a critical eye and free inquiry into the conditions of life and issues of morality.

Constantin Stanislavsky *His method is still in use today! Stainslavsky developed his own system of drama, which focused on the development of artistic truth onstage by teaching actors to "live the part" during performance. Stainslavsky developed his own system of drama, which focused on the development of artistic truth onstage by teaching actors to "live the part" during performance. Emotional Memory Emotional Memory Moving instead to emphasizing the actor's use of imagination and belief in the given circumstances of the text rather than her/his private and often painful memories. Moving instead to emphasizing the actor's use of imagination and belief in the given circumstances of the text rather than her/his private and often painful memories. Stanislavski proposed that actors study and experience subjective emotions and feelings and manifest them to audiences by physical and vocal means - Theatre language. Stanislavski proposed that actors study and experience subjective emotions and feelings and manifest them to audiences by physical and vocal means - Theatre language. His system focused on creating truthful emotions and then embodying these His system focused on creating truthful emotions and then embodying these

Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko Co-Founder of Moscow Arts Theatre with Stanislovsky in Co-Founder of Moscow Arts Theatre with Stanislovsky in 1898.

Moscow Arts Theatre This theatre based their acting technique on emotional recall and sense memory. This theatre based their acting technique on emotional recall and sense memory. It became the finest in the world for realistic productions. It became the finest in the world for realistic productions. Stanislavsky directed here. Stanislavsky directed here. Its influence came to America via The Group Theater in the 1930’s. Its influence came to America via The Group Theater in the 1930’s.

Realist Plays/Playwrights Henrik Ibsen Henrik Ibsen - “A Doll’s House” Anton Chekhov Anton Chekhov - “The Sea Gull” - “The Cherry Orchard” - “Uncle Vanya” - “Three Sisters” Ivan Turgenev - “Fathers and Sons” Alexandr Ostrovsky - “The Storm” Aleksey Pisemsky - “A Thousand Souls”