top of page

​Call to Schedule an Interview (917) 794-3878

Simplicity in Acting

Writer: CHARLIE SANDLANCHARLIE SANDLAN

Cherry Jones visited the Maggie Flanigan Studio in August to talk about her career and her process. Among the many incredible insights she shared was the moment in her career when she truly understood what simplicity meant.


For Ms. Jones, it came after years of professional and artistic success, in a rehearsal room with a really good director. A light bulb went off for her, an “ah-ha” moment.


I know many actors have been told at some point, either by a teacher or a director, one of the following things; “You’re working too hard.”, “Leave yourself alone.”, “Less is more.”, and “You’re enough.” When this is said to you many times it can be very frustrating, because how do you translate these notes into something that will actually change the quality of your work? The above criticism means that the actor lacks simplicity.



Stop Doing More Than You Need To


What is Simplicity in Acting? It’s the absence of pedestrian clutter; it’s the ability to do only what you need to do and no more. Simplicity means that the behavior you create is a choice.


Most young actors (and by young, I don’t necessarily mean age, but new to the art form) do more than they need to. This translates into pushing, straining, over-acting, or working for results. Their work lacks ease, grace, and clarity.


Good playwrights and screenwriters have envisioned the behavior of their characters as they put dialogue to paper. They write inevitable cause and effect. Really good, well-trained actors are like great detectives. They can deduce the behavior that’s necessary for the character.


Good actors then use their imagination, life experience, and insight to breath life into the part. The best actors have mastered simplicity while also creating vivid behavior. These artists are at the top of their craft.



Simplicity Requires Mastering Fundamentals


Don’t however, be fooled into thinking that simplicity means not doing anything. Many “Film/TV” courses do a great disservice to actors. They end up learning some camera tricks, and camera technique, which is good to know for the medium, but it’s not going to teach you how to craft a part.


Simplicity doesn’t mean, “just saying the lines”. So how can an actor work towards simplicity in their work? First, get trained. Master the fundamentals: get the placement of concentration off of yourself, really listen and take in, don’t put the burden of a scene on you, don’t ouch louder than you’re pinched, make the other person more important than you, don’t anticipate, AND BREATHE.

 
 
 

Comments


STUDIO DETAILS

Address:

147 W 25th St 5th Floor
New York, NY 10001

Phone:

Email:

BUSINESS HOURS

Wednesday: 9 AM - 10 PM

Thursday: 9 AM - 10 PM

Friday: 9 AM - 10 PM

Saturday: 9 AM - 5 PM

Sunday: 9 AM - 5 PM

Monday: 9 AM - 10 PM

Tuesday: 9 AM - 10 PM

RECENT REVIEWS
cta-bg.png

APPLY FOR ADMISSION

SUMMER INTENSIVE PROGRAM
circle-with-calendar-ic.png

Begins June
13th, 2025

admission-call-ic.png

Call to Schedule an Interview

maggie-trigger-shade.png

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

star-ic.png

“I was placed in the intense reigns of Charlie Sandlan.  I became a better artist, actor, friend, sibling and daughter because of the studio. Even now, I crave the studio every day. What I learned is present in my work every day. I truly believe in everything they stand for.”

test-img1-1.png.webp

Jes Macallan

star-ic.png

“Maggie taught me that I could control my work, my acting, and to throw all of the bullshit out that I had in my head about ‘what I should be doing’ and to just listen and respond honestly, in the moment. She gave me a craft. She is, quite simply put, THE BEST.”

leslie-bibb-testimonials.png.webp

Leslie Bibb

star-ic.png

“Maggie Flanigan taught me the true meaning of artistry, passion, and professionalism. I am certain that I continue to work as an actress because of my training with Maggie. At every audition and every performance, her guiding voice is with me. It is a gift beyond measure.”

maggie-flanigan-studio-review-andrea-sanders.png.webp

Andrea Anders

maggie-flanigan-studio-footer-logo.png
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X
  • Youtube
  • Pinterest
CONTACT

Address:

147 W 25th St 5th Floor
New York, NY 10001

Phone:

Email:

TALK TO US

© 2024 MAGGIE FLANIGAN STUDIO. All rights reserved.   |   Terms and Conditions   |   Privacy   |   Sitemap

map-bg.png
studio-tryangle-top-left.png

ACTING STUDIO NEW YORK NY

The Maggie Flanigan Studio is the leading acting studio in New York City where professional actors train for long careers. The acting programs at the drama school are based on the Meisner Technique and the work of Sanford Meisner. The two year acting program includes acting classes, movement classes, voice and speech for actors, commercial acting classes, on camera classes, cold reading, monologue, playwriting, script analysis and the Meisner Summer Intensive.

studio-call-ic.png

Call to Schedule an Interview

studio-tryangle-right-bottom.png
bottom of page