The Origins of Acting Pt. 2

What was traditional acting on the stage like in the 19th century?  How did Stanislavski change acting?  What was the Stanislavski System?

    Traditional acting on stage during the 19th century was still using the declamatory style that was seen in ancient Greece and Rome as (1) it was necessary due to the technical limitations and (2) it was seen as the traditional style of how theatre should have exaggerated acting. The idea was that theatre was only truly art when there was idealization or stress; where it wasn't naturalistic acting but rather simulated. Stanislavski changed acting as he found this simulated style of acting boring and was more interested in "living" the part. The Stanislavski System is a psychological approach to acting that focuses on getting the actors "into the moment." This includes (1) preparation of the voice and body, (2) studying the role, and (3) truth as the actor feels as though what happens to the character is real. To create realism, Stanislavski used emotional memory, which is where you think back to a time when you felt that feeling in order to show it outwardly; however, this was abandoned due to causing actors to go crazy.