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Come see Al Pacino discuss his Obie Award winning performance in #TheIndianWantsTheBronx with @BenMankiewicz!
One Day only September 27!
2pmPST. 🏆

There will be a reading of the play before Mr. Pacino takes the stage:
Directed by Tracey Silver
Cast: Jay Charan,
Omar Salazar & Conner Piers
Stage Directions: Eddie Navarro
Music by Neelamjit Dhillon

Story:
An East Indian gets lost on his first day in New York as two teenage punks find him waiting at a lonely bus stop. He cannot understand English, and the boys have some fun with him - at least it starts out as fun. But little by little, as the minutes go by and the bus doesn’t come, they get bored; then annoyed, then vicious.
The play premiered in 1966 at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut.
In 1968 it then transferred to The Astor Place Theatre in New York City.
The play was the start of an amazing career for Al Pacino. He went on to win an Obie Award for his work in the role of Murph for The Indian Wants The Bronx.
Tix can be purchased at TheWallis.org

Or click on the link in bio. by @theofficialactorsstudio

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12

a month ago

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR BELOVED LEE GRANT
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“[At The Actors Studio], the actors, the performances were pushed to the furthest place that they could be. … You had a sense of risk, your sense of not knowing what was going to happen next or that the actor didn’t know what was going to happen next to him.”
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Today is the 100th Birthday of long time member, past artistic director and past Board member of The Actors Studio, the incomparable Lee Grant. She was the trailblazer who helped Lee Strasberg create and launch Actors Studio West, as well as the AFI Directing Initiative for Women in 1974.
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🏆 Academy Award winner
🏆 Two- time Emmy Award winner
🏆 Cannes Best Actress
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From “In The Heat of The Night” to “Shampoo” to groundbreaking documentaries including Oscar-winning “Down and Out in America”, her artistry and courage defined a century. 💫
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With Love and Joy to Lee!
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#LeeGrant100 #HollywoodLegend #OscarWinner #theactorsstudio by @theofficialactorsstudio

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22

a year ago

REMEMBERING JOE DON BAKER
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“The thing that inspired me to become an actor was to work on stage three hours a night in a play, sleep late, and meet a lot of interesting people.” Joe Don Baker
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Baker had his first experience as an actor as a senior at North Texas State College in Denton. After graduating with a business degree in 1958 and serving for two years in the U.S. Army, he moved to New York and was accepted into The Actors Studio.
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In 1963 and ’64, Baker appeared on Broadway in Actors Studio productions of Marathon ’33 opposite Julie Harris and Blues for Mister Charlie, written by James Baldwin and directed by Burgess Meredith.
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He came to LA and made it to the silver screen, finding work on Honey West, Bonanza and Gunsmoke and in the films Cool Hand Luke (1967) and Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969).
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His credits are countless, including Cape Fear (1991), Reality Bites (1994), The Grass Harp (1995), Mars Attacks! (1996), Joe Dirt (2001), The Dukes of Hazzard (2005) and Mud (2012), but you may know him best from his work on three 007 films - The Living Daylights (1987), GoldenEye (1995) and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997).
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Baker made an incredible impact on our industry and he will be sorely missed. Sending our love and condolences to his family and friends. RIP Mr Baker.
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#theactorsstudio #joedonbaker #rememberingthelegends #hollywood by @theofficialactorsstudio

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0

a year ago

MEMBER HIGHLIGHT: VICTORIA RATERMANIS
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“The Actors Studio has given me access to an epic community of creatives and a place where I can simply work on my craft without any pressure of “booking” or “getting it done”, simply for the spirit of creativity and challenging yourself to grow. I think the industry has been “in flux” for a long time now and I have always been quite envious of musicians and painters and artists who have such an easier access to their creativity. Having Mon-Fri access to the Studio has been a game changer. Not only for myself as an actor but also for my mental stability. You have to find creative outlets in the lulls of your career, otherwise that energy compounds and builds into something dark. I am very thankful to know that I have a lifetime of being a member and creator here, excited for the growth to come.”
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Victoria Ratermanis stars in Oscar-nominated short film ‘A Lien’. She is also a writer, director and theater maker, with her premiere short film “DISC” starring Jim Cummings ready to hit the festival circuit in 2026. Born in Baltimore, and brought up overseas, her childhood as a perpetual new kid taught her adaptability and strengthened her imagination, and now she’s made a career of the tendency. She is Meisner-trained thanks to Playhouse West Brooklyn, and graduated with a BFA in acting from Pace University.
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We are so excited to welcome Victoria as a new member to the Studio (she passed her final audition in 2024) and wish the “A Lien” team all the best at the Oscars this weekend!!!
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Follow @alien_short_film and @tozr
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@theacademy #oscars2025 #academyawards #actress #themethod #theactorstudio by @theofficialactorsstudio

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6

2 years ago

ON THE WATERFRONT
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“I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody.”
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In the lead up to this year’s @theacademy Awards, we celebrate one of the most historic films to come out of The Actors Studio (then the Group Theater). At the 1954 Oscars, it won 8 of its 12 nominations.
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Here is what The Academy says about the cinema masterpiece:
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“In the performance that would define his career, Marlon Brando plays Terry Malloy, a onetime prizefighter now resigned to backbreaking work as a longshoreman on docks ruled by a ruthless union boss (Lee J. Cobb) with mob ties. As the NY State Crime Commission starts closing in, Malloy begins to question his loyalties, not a simple matter considering that Cobb’s right-hand man is Malloy’s own brother (Rod Steiger).
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Contributing to director Elia Kazan’s urban masterpiece are Karl Malden, who shines as a priest sympathetic to Malloy, and Eva Marie Saint as the vulnerable sister of a fellow stevedore. The film’s impact is intensified by Budd Schulberg’s Oscar-winning script, which features one of cinema’s most-loved speeches; Leonard Bernstein’s potent score, his only composed solely for film; and the Oscar-winning efforts of cinematographer Boris Kaufman and art director Richard Day.
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Based on Malcolm Johnson’s multi-part New York Sun exposé, which won him a Pulitzer Prize in 1949, Kazan’s film was shot on both sides of the Hudson River and bears the director’s signature Group Theatre intensity. Nominated for 12 Oscars and winning eight, including Best Actor for Brando and Directing for Kazan, On the Waterfront remains a haunting portrait of life on the margins. Hollywood legend Eva Marie Saint, whose 60-year film career includes collaborations with Hitchcock, Preminger and Zinnemann, will appear in person to reminisce about working with Brando and Kazan during the making of this American classic.” taken in The Actors Studio Theater by @theofficialactorsstudio

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4

2 years ago

50 YEARS LATER
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“Good health is the most important thing. More than success, more than money, more than power.” Hyman Roth, Godfather Part II
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The Godfather Part II premiered in New York City on December 12, 1974, and was released in the United States on December 20, 1974. That’s 50 years ago!
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As an actor, our co-founder Lee Strasberg is best known for his portrayal of the film’s primary antagonist, the gangster Hyman Roth, alongside his former student Al Pacino; a role he took at Pacino’s suggestion after Elia Kazan turned down the role. Strasberg’s performance earned him a nomination for @theAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
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#leestrasberg #themethod #theactorsstudio #alpacino #hollywood #theacademy #oscars #50yearsago #thegodfather #thegodfatherpartii #francisfordcoppola by @theofficialactorsstudio

325

10

2 years ago

MEMBER HIGHLIGHT: VICTOR SLEZAK
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“Being a member of the Actor’s Studio is a lifelong dream come true. Being directed by Paul Newman, Estelle Parsons and Vivian Nathan, working closely with Al Pacino has aided and enhanced my way of working immeasurably. To have a place to go to, to work and test one’s self and gain the insights of fellow actors who have “been there” is extremely invaluable to me and for that I am deeply grateful.”
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Victor arrived in NYC in 1975 at the age of 17. He began his training with Uta Hagen, Kim Stanley, and Geraldine Page before being cast in GHOSTS as her son. He also studied with legends Wynn Handman, Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg.
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He spent years working in regional theater, appeared in the “The Hasty Heart” off-Broadway, and joined @estnyc where he worked with numerous new playwrights. He has appeared on Broadway working with Elizabeth Ashley, Kathleen Turner, Sada Thompson and Al Pacino.
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In Televison and Film, Victor has been directed by Mike Newell, John Frankenheimer, John Boorman, Clint Eastwood, Peter Bogdanovich, Mary Harron, Tony Scott, Arthur Penn.
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Most recently, he stars alongside Jude Law in “The Order” which premiered this month, and “Baby Girl” with @NicoleKidman which opens on Christmas Day.
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You can now catch Victor in “Faith Healer” at @schoolhousetheaterny (until December 22nd) and in February in “The German” by @LyleKesslerMasterClass which will have a workshop @59E59 for @LabyrinthTheater.
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#leestrasberg #theactorsstudio #victorslezak #hollywoodwalkoffame #hollywood #themethod #actor #behindthescenes #newyorkactor #actor by @theofficialactorsstudio

157

6

2 years ago

GODFATHER OF HARLEM - CELEBRATING THE BOSSES
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Are you caught up on Godfather of Harlem?! Have you seen our incredible Studio Members who appear as Series Regulars in @GodfatherOfHarlem on @mgmplus?!
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Godfather of Harlem is a crime drama series that tells the story of real-life gangsters and historical figures in the 1960s. The show is a prequel to the 2007 film American Gangster, which starred Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas. In the series, @forestwhitaker plays Bumpy Johnson, who is trying to regain control of Harlem after the Italian Genovese crime family takes over.
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Members @VincentDOnofrio and @KathrineNarducci play husband and wife - Vincent “Chin” Gigante is one of Bumpy’s main adversaries, representing the Genovese crime family interests in Harlem, alongside his long-suffering wife Olympia.
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Member @MichaelRaymondJames plays mob boss Joe Colombo and Member @ChazzPalmenteri plays mob boss Joe Bonnano.
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Season 4 is currently in production. We are waiting with bated breath for the release date!
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Congratulations to these and all of our Members who star and make appearances on this incredible show by showrunner Chris Brancato (@cbrancato86). ✨
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#godfatherofharlem #newyork #newyorkproductions #actors #theactorsstudio #hollywood #mgmplus by @theofficialactorsstudio

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44

2 years ago

REMEMBERING TERI GARR (DECEMBER 11, 1944 - OCTOBER 29, 2024)
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Last week we lost longtime Actors Studio Member Teri Garr. Teri was an incredible actress and comedian who hosted @nbcSNL three times!
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She started her career as a dancer in multiple Elvis Presley films and then made the move to acting in the 60s. Her breakout role was as Inga in “Young Frankenstein” playing opposite Gene Wilder and Mel Brooks. She was also well-known for her iconic roles in “Star Trek”, Spielberg’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, Scorcese’s “After Hours”, “Dumb and Dumber”, and as Phoebe’s Mom on “Friends”.
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Ms Garr earned Oscar and @BAFTA nominations for her role opposite Dustin Hoffman in “Tootsie”. She also made regular appearances on the “Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour”.
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She made her off-Broadway debut in “One Crack Out” in 1978, to acclaim.
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Known as “a comedic genius”, Ms Garr was a sought-after guest on Late Shows with Johnny Carson and David Letterman. Ms Garr continued work even after her 1999 diagnosis with MS, for which she became an ambassador.
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Her memoir “Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood” is available on @Amazon.
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We are sending love and condolences to her daughter Molly and grandson. RIP Teri. You will be sorely missed. ✨
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@theacademy #theactorstudio #terigarr #comedienne #actress #hollywood by @theofficialactorsstudio

158

1

2 years ago

MEMBER HIGHLIGHT: CATHERINE CARLEN
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“The Actors Studio is my Home, my Love, my Family and my Sanctuary. It is my greatest Honor to be a Lifetime Member of the Studio for over 20 years. A safe supportive Laboratory where we have the opportunity to explore “The Work”, and encourage each other to continue to dig deep on this journey as Artists.”
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Catherine Carlen grew up in Cookeville, Tennessee in the 50’s and headed to NYC in the 70’s to begin her acting studies with Uta Hagen, Stella Adler and Susan Batson. In the 80’s, she moved to Los Angeles where she became a member of The Actors Studio and continues to work in Film, Television and Theater.
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Some of Catherine’s recent credits include @mackandritamovie, The Thing About Pam, @perrymasonhbo, Sharp Objects on @hbo and recurring on @Netfilx in a New Shondaland “who done it” series playing the Former First Lady of the White House with Giancarlo Esposito and Uzo Aduba.
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Catherine has been a Private Acting Coach for over 30 years and is one of our moderators at the LA branch of the Studio.
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Make sure you watch Catherine’s incredible work on @monstersnetflix alongside Nathan Lane streaming now and on The Lincoln Lawyer on @netflix! ✨
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Follow Catherine! @realcatherinecarlen
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#theactorsstudio #actress @televisionacad @theacademy #actorsstudio #methodacting #acting #theofficialactorsstudio #broadway #netflix by @theofficialactorsstudio

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35

2 years ago

CALLING ALL PLAYWRIGHTS

The Playwright/Directors Unit (PDU) at The Actors Studio has a long history on both coasts.

After two trial runs by Clifford Odets and Robert Anderson, Elia Kazan and William Inge created the first permanent ‘Playwrights Unit’ in 1957. It has since evolved into one of the most important components of The Actors Studio. Notable participants in the PDU have included Edward Albee, Tennessee Williams, Norman Mailer, Harold Clurman, Mark Rydell, James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry, Terrence McNally, and Arthur Kopit, among many others.

Rehearsed, directed readings of new plays are presented each week and then critiqued by the members of the PDU and by that week’s Moderator. It is a supportive, constructive environment, encouraging to the playwright and director.

PDU membership is seasonal and must be renewed annually. PDU members attend the acting sessions at The Actors Studio in order to familiarize themselves with Studio membership.

Lyle Kessler is the Director of the PDU in New York and is one of the Moderators. Other Moderators consist of major dramatists and directors including John Patrick Shanley, Jose Rivera, Michael Weller, John Guare, Stephen Guirgis, Peter Maloney, Chazz Palminteri, Ron Beverly, and others.

For information on joining: https://theactorsstudio.org/who-we-are/about-the-actors-studio/new-york/

#playwrights #theater #behindthescenes #theactorsstudio #themethod #writer #director #actor

Photo: Appears on our official website by @theofficialactorsstudio

243

5

2 years ago

“STELLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAA”: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

“I don't want realism. I want magic! Yes, yes, magic!”

Elia Kazan founded The Actors Studio in 1947 with Cheryl Crawford and Robert Lewis. Having already established his Hollywood career as a top film director, he brought The Actors Studio’s groundbreaking approach to the big screen in 1951 with his powerful film version of Tennessee Williams’ stage classic “A Streetcar Named Desire”.

Kazan cast three Studio veterans in the film - Marlon Brando as Stanley Kowalski, Karl Malden as Mitch and Kim Hunter as Stella - all reprising their roles that they originated on Broadway. Brando was nominated for an Academy Award, while Malden and Hunter won their Oscar categories.

Featuring an influential, jazz-infused Oscar-nominated score by Alex North and Oscar-winning art direction from Richard Day and George James Hopkins, Streetcar lost none of its impact moving from the theater to the screen.

It was first performed on Broadway on December 3, 1947 and the film was released by Warner Bros on September 18, 1951.

#leestrasberg #theactorsstudio #actor #themethod #methodacting #eliakazan #theacademy #acting #stagetoscreen #academyawarda #oscars by @theofficialactorsstudio

237

3

2 years ago