The Technique

Core

At it’s core Chekhov’s technique is about encouraging ‘inspired acting’. The technique is the development of artistic feelings on stage that do not rely on personal memories to call up emotions.
Chekhov’s method respects the actor as a free creative artist.
His tools give the actor a way to explore their own personality beyond its limits. His understanding of the creative nature of the human being, and the practical needs of the actor, led him to find new tools for the actor and director involving imagination and psycho-physical techniques that enhance the mind/body connection. The actor can use an imaginary body or psychological gesture for his character and start exploring his character’s reality, movement and speech.
The actor learns to create different atmospheres, qualities and sensations. These atmospheres and sensations inspire the actors performance. 

Effects

Chekhov’s technique has an almost immediate effect on the actor’s imagination and physicality. Through different exercises, actors quickly start developing a sensation of inspiration and learn to trust their own artistic individuality.