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 THE MAGIC “IF”Name: ________________________________ Stanislavski did not think it possible for an actor to honestly and fully believe in the truth and reality of theevents on stage, but he said that an actor can believe in the possibility of events. In other words, you mustonly try to answer the question: “What would I do if I were in the character’s position?” By focusing on“if”—or
the magic if
as Stanislavski called it—you do not have to force yourself to accept a false reality. “If”is a lever to lift us out of the world of actually into the realm of the imagination. “If” transforms thecharacter’s objectives into yours. You determine what someone in that situation might feel, and you presentthat. You embrace a supposition. There is no deception involved. “If” creates problems to solve, which willlead you naturally to inner and external actions.
 A Quick Exercise
Each of you are now going to plan and present a 5-second solo scene, which involves you coming through adoor. You are coming into a house from outside. In your planning, determine the following: Where are you coming from? _____________________________________________________________  _____________________________________________________________________________________  What is the weather like outside? __________________________________________________________  _____________________________________________________________________________________  Why are you coming inside? ______________________________________________________________  _____________________________________________________________________________________  What does it feel like inside? ______________________________________________________________  _____________________________________________________________________________________ Do not share your decisions with any others. Simply write them down. In preparing for and performing yourscene, ask yourself:“What would I do if . . .” After your performance, we will do our best to figure out the answers to your questions based on yourpresentation. Do not try to “perform” or “act out” the answers to your questions; simply consider theproblems created by making these suppositions and try to solve them through natural inner and physicalaction.Keep notes on feedback from your peers and teacher: _____________________________________________________________________________________  _____________________________________________________________________________________  _____________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
 The StanislavskiSystem
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