The Meisner Technique was originally developed by Sanford Meisner (1905-1997), one of the most influential acting teachers of the twentieth century.

Meisner was one of the original members of the Group Theater along with Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler, and Harold Clurman, from 1931 until it disbanded in 1941.  After the Group Theatre's demise, Meisner led the acting department of the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theater in Manhattan for nearly half a century. Among Meisner's students were Robert Duvall, David Mamet, Jon Voight, Diane Keaton, Lee Grant, Gregory Peck, Grace Kelly, Sydney Pollack, and Steve McQueen. 

Meisner's students acted on screen and stage across the United States using what had become known as the "Meisner Technique." Meisner's technique of acting is based on Constantin Stanislavski's method of acting, but is best known for the repetition exercises Meisner developed to strengthen an actor's capacity to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances.

Sanford Meisner - On Acting, by Sanford Meisner & Dennis Longwell.

Fran Montano's Version Of The  Meisner Technique:

Fran Montano's free-form version of Meisner's repetition technique enables actors to pursue a deeper and far more intense exploration of the truth of each moment than the original version, which was often criticized for being too dogmatic and tedious.  Audit a class for free and see for yourself.

After the free-form repetition exercises, Fran gives actors dramatic improv exercises where dialogue springs spontaneously from the emotional and physical truth of each moment, restricted only by the given circumstances of the improv.

After dramatic improv exercises, scenes and cold readings are worked on, and it is here the fruits of the Meisner Technique are realized. 

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