ABSTRACT
The Practical Aesthetics acting technique was originally conceived by David Mamet and then taught by him to a group of Newyork University (NYU) students, who eventually went on to form the Atlantic Theater Company. The technique is based on the later works of Stanislavski, which stressed the importance of playing specific “psychophysical” actions on stage in his Method of Physical Action. Practical Aesthetics also incorporates Stoic philosophy, the work of child psychologist Bruno Bettelheim , the core principles of Aristotle, and several others. The Practical Aesthetics philosophy of acting can be distilled down into two major components: action and moment. Tire process of delving deeply into a character’s true need in every scene, and then finding a playable action to express that understanding, is the most essential component of the actor’s preparation.
