The Mirror Theater Game

  & Meisner Technique

(Mahduri and Jeff from Liquid Mind - Pan Theater -2013)

At Pan Theater part of our work is focusing on the focus. Viola Spolin used the terms “point of focus" and "point of concentration" to describe the focus. 

The notes in her ground breaking book Improvisation for the Theater detail her choices and the various side coaching terms she developed over the years. 

Her work focused on the use of theatre games as a non intellectual approach to acting.

We use the repetition exercise from Meisner Technique to help sharpen focus and to place it outside of the self. We do the same with the mirror exercise from Viola Spolin's work. 

In both exercises the performer focuses not on himself (herself) but on the other. By taking the focus from oneself we lose the stuck feeling that often arises from self consciousness.

Meisner Technique takes an improvisational approach to acting that is focused on the connection between the actors and the moment. In Meisner Technique the goal is similar - a nonintellectual approach to acting that focuses on the moment. 

Both approaches create actors capable of responding to the moment truthfully.

In everyday life (non-stage life - if there is such a thing) we are constantly changing and adjusting to the moment. 

We read and read into every action and piece of information we receive from the people we interact with and from our environment. 

The feelings we have, our goals and our needs flavor the moment and propel us into the next.

In both the mirror exercise and repetition exercise we get to the same focus on the other. In the mirror exercise this is accomplished in a nonverbal way and the emotions that may arise are a by product.

In the exercise one partner leads and the other follows. The follower becomes a mirror of the leader trying to mirror every detail. 

This intense focus on the other connects both partners. 

The leader and follower roles are switched several times and at shorter intervals until at last there is no leader or follower and each parter is following and leading (follow the follower).

The result is a heightened focus and sensitivity to your partner. In Meisner Technique the repetition exercise also throws the focus outside. 

In the repetition exercise each partner looks at the other and connects non-verbally. 

Once the connection is established one partner makes an observation and the other repeats the same observation but from his (her) point of view. Either partner may chance the observation once something new (and bigger) enters the space.

Example of the repetition game between Gary and Mary:

Gary: "Your smiling."
Mary: "I'm smiling."

Gary: "Your happy."
Mary: "I'm happy."

Gary: "Your happy."
Mary: "I'm happy."

Gary: "Your happy."
Mary: "I'm happy."

Gary: "Your happy."
Mary: "Your bored."

Gary: "I'm not bored."
Mary: "You didn't like that."

Gary: "I didn't like that."
Mary: "You didn't like that."

Gary: "Your analyzing me."
Mary: "I'm analyzing you."

and so on...

The repetition game deals with the physical and emotional. The performers connect the two more and more and in the process become more open to their own feelings and more expressive.

In the mirror game the focus on the other sharpens observation and provides practice in connecting non-verbally.

The game deals less with emotion from a voiced point. 

The two exercises practiced together at the same rehearsal and on a regular basis help make performers more connected, grounded and aware of the moment. In the process the performers become less self conscious. 

The exercises used together create a synergy that either alone would not create.

We practice both exercises with our troupes at Pan and in our classes.
If you are looking to ground your work further checkout our classes.

Some great references to consider:

Sanford Meisner on Acting

Improvisation for the Theater

Theater's best kept secret (documentary)