
The Gonsalves Method
Meisner Updated for the Modern Actor
Methuen Drama (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 10. December 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-1-350-46138-3 (ISBN)
Description
The Gonsalves Method is an inspiring, comprehensive and replicable theatre process that builds skills, develops trust and opens hearts in any rehearsal room. It offers a systematic approach to acting and directing that builds on the techniques developed by Sanford Meisner and updates them for the pressures and contexts of the modern world.
Five Conditions - As, If, Prep, Objectives, Stakes and Entitlement - offer a clear, relatable performance language and a simple step-by-step guide to practicable and powerful ways to breathe life into the words of any playwright.
Five Rehearsal Stages work alongside the Five Conditions in offering a clear path to performance that showcases both ensemble practice and the uniqueness of each performer.
Rehearsal exercises are detailed throughout, illustrated through work by a wide range of playwrights, including Tanika Gupta, Duncan Macmillan, Caryl Churchill and William Shakespeare.
A wealth of practical tips are woven through the process, including for casting, line learning, auditions, self-tapes and direct address. For whatever stage in your career, this book offers actors, directors and theatre teachers insights and exercises to develop alive, responsive, authentic performances that meet Meisner's instruction that actors should 'live truthfully under a given set of circumstances'.
Five Conditions - As, If, Prep, Objectives, Stakes and Entitlement - offer a clear, relatable performance language and a simple step-by-step guide to practicable and powerful ways to breathe life into the words of any playwright.
Five Rehearsal Stages work alongside the Five Conditions in offering a clear path to performance that showcases both ensemble practice and the uniqueness of each performer.
Rehearsal exercises are detailed throughout, illustrated through work by a wide range of playwrights, including Tanika Gupta, Duncan Macmillan, Caryl Churchill and William Shakespeare.
A wealth of practical tips are woven through the process, including for casting, line learning, auditions, self-tapes and direct address. For whatever stage in your career, this book offers actors, directors and theatre teachers insights and exercises to develop alive, responsive, authentic performances that meet Meisner's instruction that actors should 'live truthfully under a given set of circumstances'.
Reviews / Votes
To experience Aileen's method is to be given tools for life. It's no exaggeration to say that she is one of the foremost performing arts innovators of our age. * Chris Laoutaris, Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham, UK * Do you want to see clearly and respond from your point of view? This brilliant book will give you the skills to help you be more present and listen with more attention. * Zack Polanski, Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales * Working with Aileen and her Method brought greater focus, detail and freedom to my work. I've no doubt this book will be a hugely valuable and inspiring resource for any actor or performer. * Jacob Fortune - Lloyd, Stage and screen actor (Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker , Wolf Hall, The Queen's Gambit and The Midas Man) * This book is not just a wonderful resource for actors, but for directors and all teachers of theatre. It stems from Gonsalves 'passion for keeping actors work personal, intensely rooted in the world, and above all, responsive.. * Scott Handy, Stage and Screen actor (Ridley Scott's Napoleon, and Tim Burton's Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children) and ex-director of Drama at Eton College *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
5 bw illus
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 138 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-46138-3 (9781350461383)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Aileen Gonsalves is an actor, director and writer. She was Founder of Butterfly Theatre Collective, as well as creator of the Gonsalves Method. She was Head of the MA in Acting at ArtsEd, Head of Acting at Drama Studio London and has been an associate director for the RSC and Kali Theatre. She trained at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and specialised in Meisner. She is co-author of Shakespeare and Meisner for the Arden Performance Series (Bloomsbury, 2021).
Tracy Irish is an experienced teacher, theatre practitioner and scholar. She is an Associate Learning Practitioner with the Royal Shakespeare Company and works regularly with the University of Birmingham. Tracy has authored many resources, articles and books including Teaching and Learning Shakespeare through Theatre-based Practice, Shakespeare and Meisner and the RSC School Shakespeare editions.
Tracy Irish is an experienced teacher, theatre practitioner and scholar. She is an Associate Learning Practitioner with the Royal Shakespeare Company and works regularly with the University of Birmingham. Tracy has authored many resources, articles and books including Teaching and Learning Shakespeare through Theatre-based Practice, Shakespeare and Meisner and the RSC School Shakespeare editions.
Author
Independent scholar, UK
Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham, UK
Content
Introduction
What is the Gonsalves Method?
How has it evolved from Meisner?
What benefits does it offer today's actors, directors and teachers?
Preparation
Chapter 1: Getting connected to each other
Chapter 2: Getting to know the world of the play
Chapter 3: Getting to know your character's point of view
Chapter 4: Getting to know your lines
The Five Conditions
Chapter 5: As Ifs and Preps
Chapter 6: Objectives, Stakes and Entitlement
The Five Rehearsal Stages
Chapter 7: Testing Conditions
Chapter 8: Bringing in Text
Chapter 9: Paraphrasing and Listening
Chapter 10: Using your Words to get your Objective
Chapter 11: Physical Externals and Staging
Performance
Chapter 12: Moment to Moment
Epilogue
Bibliography
Index
What is the Gonsalves Method?
How has it evolved from Meisner?
What benefits does it offer today's actors, directors and teachers?
Preparation
Chapter 1: Getting connected to each other
Chapter 2: Getting to know the world of the play
Chapter 3: Getting to know your character's point of view
Chapter 4: Getting to know your lines
The Five Conditions
Chapter 5: As Ifs and Preps
Chapter 6: Objectives, Stakes and Entitlement
The Five Rehearsal Stages
Chapter 7: Testing Conditions
Chapter 8: Bringing in Text
Chapter 9: Paraphrasing and Listening
Chapter 10: Using your Words to get your Objective
Chapter 11: Physical Externals and Staging
Performance
Chapter 12: Moment to Moment
Epilogue
Bibliography
Index