The Stanislavski THREE PIECES OF MATERIAL

Method
Name: ________________________________

Date: ____________________ Period: ______

Objective
• Assess your progress with your relaxation efforts
• Assess your progress with your ability to concentrate
• Recreate the sensory experience of touching three different pieces of fabric.

Preparation
You will need some privacy to complete this assignment. First begin by relaxing your body and quieting your
mind through the relaxation techniques we have learned in class. Take as much time as you need. Select
three pieces of fabric (of approximately the same size) from around the house that you have no apparent
emotional connection to. Slowly caress these three fabrics and very thoughtfully record your observations.

Fabric #1: ______________________________________________________________

Fabric #2: ______________________________________________________________
Fabric #3: ______________________________________________________________

Observation Record
Your responses to the prompts below MUST be almost ridiculously specific. Use comparisons (metaphors
and similes) to accurately conjure up the sensation. Be specific about how the sensation physically affects
you.

1) Hold fabric #1 in your hands.

2) Describe its texture, weight, temperature, how it moves, etc.: _______________________________

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3) Hold fabric #1 to your face.

4) Describe its texture, weight, temperature, how it moves, etc.: _______________________________

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5) Wrap fabric #1 around your neck.

6) Describe its texture, weight, temperature, how it moves, etc.: _______________________________

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7) Hold fabric #2 in your hands.

8) Describe its texture, weight, temperature, how it moves, etc.: _______________________________

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9) Hold fabric #2 to your face.

10) Describe its texture, weight, temperature, how it moves, etc.: _______________________________

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11) Wrap fabric #2 around your neck.

12) Describe its texture, weight, temperature, how it moves, etc.: _______________________________

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13) Hold fabric #3 in your hands.

14) Describe its texture, weight, temperature, how it moves, etc.: _______________________________

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15) Hold fabric #3 to your face.

16) Describe its texture, weight, temperature, how it moves, etc.: _______________________________

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17) Wrap fabric #3 around your neck.

18) Describe its texture, weight, temperature, how it moves, etc.: _______________________________

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The Exercise
Now, set the fabric aside. Spend at least 10 minutes relaxing in a chair—as you have been taught. Repeat the
process above without the fabric. You are not doing this exercise in order to learn to pantomime. Work on
reliving each of the specific sensations you recorded above. Do not move on to the next step until you fully
recreate each sensation fully and vividly and specifically.

Work on this several times for roughly ten-minute intervals.

You will be completing this exercise in class, and will be expected to have worked on this significantly at
home. You will be guided through each step, and you will be asked to recreate and describe each sensation.

Due Date: ________________________________

Reflection [To Be Completed After Your In-Class Performance]

Respond to the following prompts sincerely and with specific detail. Keep in mind that sense memory work
is intended to be a continual process. You are not learning your times tables; these are exercises not unlike
sit-ups or yoga. You continue to develop your ability with no end zone in sight. To achieve any kind of
success you must commit yourself to continually working on it.

1) How did you feel working on this exercise?

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2) Which specific sensations gave you the most trouble?

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3) What specific goals do you have for yourself as you continue to work?

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Assessment [for teacher use only]

PREPARATION 5 4 3 2 1
RELAXATION 5 4 3 2 1
CONCENTRATION 5 4 3 2 1
DETAIL OF WORK 5 4 3 2 1
ABILITY TO SUSTAIN 5 4 3 2 1
SELF-EVALUATION 5 4 3 2 1

Total ________ out of 30