As all theater spaces are closed due to the Corona-pandemic, acting classes in NYC are not taking place. RAGNAR is doing a non-class on absence. [2:30]
Videos
A Short Film
BEKAH PUSEY & SCOTT MENDELSOHN in a film-scene from the play “Good As New” by Peter Hedges. Made during our Process & Performance Lab, January 2020. [4:42]
Room For Fire
PHOEBE PANARETOS & ALEX GIBSON-GIORGIO in conversation on performing, joy & interpreting Michael Chekhov. Filmed @ our January Intensive 2019. [5:50]
When You Play Hamlet
Dreaming, Images and the Performer’s Body: PHELIM MCDERMOTT is showing composer PHILIP GLASS what Michael Chekhov means by “Psychological Gesture”. [2:04]
We Must Be Heroes
Five years ago, at the founding of the Michael Chekhov School, FERN SLOAN shared these inspiring words from a talk by Michael Chekhov. Filmed in Monterey. [2:17]
of mind & body
In a cafe in Hudson NY, actors BEW & SOM are reflecting on their journey during the Immersion and on making art of mind & body. Thai with English subtitles. [4:08]
Path | Sense
YUAN-RONG & PAN-KE on the limitations of ego, the embodiment of spirits and the development of a “higher self” in the actor. Chinese with English subtitles. [5:08]
Movement | Life
PAN-KE & YUAN-RONG, contemplating Michael Chekhov’s approach in relation to the soul of traditional Eastern culture. Chinese with English subtitles. [4:50]
Song of the Body
Poetic impressions from the five-week Michael Chekhov Immersion Course, 2018. Photography by YUAN-RONG LIAO ANDERSON, original song by PAN-KE. [1:26]
my soul trembles
Actress YUAN-RONG LIAO ANDERSON, working on-camera with the “Queen” from Shakespeare’s “Richard II”. In Taiwanese & English, filmed @ our Immersion 2018. [3:39]
the whole world is your stage
“I doubt and write. I always feel I should tell the truth. Let me just do it.” PAN-KE is a performer from China, reading from her poetry written during our Immersion. [3:51]
to be a discoverer
JAKUB MARGOSIAK & GRZEGORZ ŁABUDA on the actor as a seeker & discoverer between two worlds. Polish with English subtitles, filmed at our Immersion 2018. [5:25]
atuar – to act!
AMPARO DE GATA & GABRIELA BONOMO on imagination, technique & the freedom to act. Portuguese with English subtitles. Guest appearance by little Micael. [4:13]
Hamlet dreams
Poetic explorations on camera with DOMINIK BOPP, DOROTHEA BARTH-JØRGENSEN & MARINA KRAITOR during a session with Ragnar at our January Intensive 2018. [2:45]
no work is ever lost
Musings by FERN SLOAN during a recording session for the upcoming book on the Michael Chekhov Technique. Read more on the book in our recent newsletter. [0:44]
sharing it
TED PUGH during a recording session for the upcoming book on the Michael Chekhov Technique. Read an update on the project in our recent newsletter. [0:58]
giving it a place
DANIELLE CARTER is speaking with FERN & TED about the heart of her upcoming book on their work. Find more on this project in our recent newsletter. [5:01]
Imaginary Overview
12 Video Classes by RAGNAR for friends of acting, art & MICHAEL CHEKHOV. A New class is added each month. Sign up & watch them for free! [1:03]
Sânziene
By CAMILLE LITALIEN & Peter Francyk. Excerpt with commentaries. An ongoing offering of the Earth Body Place project, performed at MICHA, 2017 [8:23]
a strange medium
Actors TY HUNGERFORD & KATE UDALL are discussing technique, objectivity and the actor’s medium. Filmed during the 5-week Immersion 2017 in Hudson, NY. [4:32]
looking for something
During the Spring Immersion, actors DANIELA & SALOMÉ are speaking about trusting the body, vulnerability – and what it means to lead a creative life. [3:40]
The Spirit of Things
Conversation between actors KATHRYN & AOIBHEANN about spirit, acting and sharing the gift. Filmed during our Five-Week Spring Immersion. [3:36]
you are darkness
MARTIN D. ANDERSON, cameraman for the Imaginary Classes, has stepped into the frame and is speaking to Ragnar about his experience. [2:28]
imaginary classes
Short excerpt from RAGNAR’S new video-classes for imaginary participants. You are invited to sign up for free & view them online – or anytime in your imagination! [2:44]
a space for the other
Reflections on Open Space by RAGNAR. Originally recorded for students at The New School in NYC, December 2016. Camera & Listening by Shelley Molad. [08:53]
it keeps you alive
The Book Project: Fern Sloan and Ted Pugh’s book on Michael Chekhov’s Technique is in the making. You can submit themes you would like included here.[0:50]
the book project: “ease”
Fern Sloan and Ted Pugh are gathering material for a book on the Michael Chekhov Technique”. You can submit themes you would like included in the book.[0:37]
poems on acting
Animated poetry by Martin D. Anderson, written while witnessing the rehearsal process at the school’s summer session. Images are of the participants.[4:05]
what it means
Filmed by participating actor Jose Hernandez during MICHA’s 2 week Michael-Chekhov-Workshop at Summer Arts, Monterey, 2016 [8:02]
river reflections
Reflections on Michael Chekhov’s Acting Technique by Ragnar. Originally recorded as a contemplation for his class at the New School, NYC. [4:08]
the greatest obstacle
Joanna Merlin on auditioning. Excerpt from a recording for the Spanish edition of her book ‘Auditioning: An Actor-Friendly Guide‘. Filmed by Ragnar. [3:05]
we would not know
Fern reflects on what role the “Dartington Ladies” played in the development of The Actors’ Ensemble. Excerpt from a longer interview. [3:37]
out of the ruins
Ted’s story of Beatrice Straight’s Studio in NYC & Michael Chekhov’s students: the “Dartington Ladies”. Excerpt from a longer interview. [3:36]
Watching Michael Chekhov
After discovering an old black & white movie, Ted and Fern are watching Michael Chekhov perform and his art come alive on the screen. [4:00]
Bernadette’s Letter
Essay by Bernadette Wintsch-Heinen from Switzerland in a live translation by Ragnar, who has a bad hair day. Fern and Ted are listening. [2:52]
origins of theater
Ted’s story of stage manager Jimmy Gelb & the invention of theater. Filmed by Gabriela Bonomo during The Actors’ Ensemble’s anniversary [1:50]
fears & demons
Broadway veteran actor and Tony Award winner Dick Latessa’s visit to the school & a conversation about conquering your fears [2:31]
your own work
At the end of the school’s inaugural year Ted Pugh is speaking about having a practice and making Michael Chekhov’s work your own. [1:20]
process-on-camera
Gabriel Rodriguez is exploring “A Brief for the Defense” (Jack Gilbert) by following inner processes in Ragnar’s On-Camera class. [2:36]
summer session
Ten actors are reflecting on their experience during the past four-week summer session at the Michael Chekhov School in Hudson, NY. [4:05]
the etheric heart
As part of MICHA’s celebration of Ted and Fern, Jessica is sharing a talk by Michael Chekhov quoting Rudolf Steiner’s teachings. [4:28]
it’s happening
Megan Callahan is singing at MICHA’s celebration of Ted and Fern for their life-long dedication to the work of Michael Chekhov. [3:17]
house and horses
Ted, Fern & Ragnar are preparing the house for the summer session, actors will be arriving shortly, horses are standing in a pasture. [1:47]
Theater of the Future
Impressions from MICHA’s “Theater of the Future” Open Space, following our 2015 Conference. Browse the complete event reports HERE. [2:00]
the wind & the rain
A song from William Shakespeare’s “12th Night” for Fern’s Birthday; sung by all participants during MICHA’s 2015 Workshop & Conference. [2:16]
filming & playing
‘Camera as Performance Space’. With Gabriel, Colleen, Dorothea, Val, Kyle, Peggy, Camille, Berda, K.D. & Ragnar. Filmed by Martin D. Anderson [2:25]
a legacy
“I felt some responsibility…” Joanna Merlin speaks about her efforts of making M. Chekhov’s work available for the future. [2:00]
casting & teaching
“I came to New York…” Joanna Merlin talks about her time as a casting agent & her beginning to teach Michael Chekhov’s work. [2:15]
freedom & technique
“to pass this on…” Joanna Merlin is reflecting on Michael Chekhov’s way of teaching and on his generous sharing of what he had discovered. [2:30]
no failure
“the moment he walked in…” Joanna Merlin describes the atmosphere of working with Michael Chekhov in his class in Los Angeles [2:41]
