Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book is a practical guide to the exercises taught to the author by Lee Strasberg during the last five years of his life when she studied with him in New York and Los Angeles. These physical and emotional exercises help to achieve a level of excellence and truth in acting. The book explains the Relaxation Exercise to prepare for the creation of any role, either in a class or in a performance. It describes the Foundation Sense Memory Exercises that adhere to the same sequence that Strasberg followed in his classes and which she continue in her classes – moving from simple to more complex tasks. The book discusses the comments about teaching and directing that are included in the exercise descriptions. This material has the added benefit of helping actors understand the directing and teaching process.