“What are the hidden secrets within me that I have yet to uncover? – The body is the actor’s instrument.” Upcoming Online Class with Ted & Fern in February / March. [2:56]
Videos
Psychological Gesture Online
“If we take simply our human gestures, then we will see that each gesture is the human soul.” (Michael Chekhov). Upcoming Online Class in January with TED & FERN. [2:38]
pleasure of transformation
“What is it to converse with your character, to listen and let it reveal itself?”. Upcoming Online Class on “CHARACTER” with FERN. By Application. Waiting List [3:29]
the ground you stand on
“There is always another level to explore, investigate & incorporate.” Upcoming Online Class on “FUNDAMENTALS” with TED & FERN. Enrollment Now Open [6:47]
non/class-video
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]
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]
