|
|
|
|
|
|
The Actors Studio was THE acting school in the 1950's. At a dinner in Brooklyn Heights that Marilyn attended, she met the director Cheryl Crawford, who mentioned to Marilyn about the Actors Studio. Miss Crawford in turn mentioned Marilyn's interest in the Actors Studio to another director Elia Kazan (both were involved in the Actors Studio, and along with director Robert Lewis had founded the studio in 1947) who promptly arranged to meet Marilyn at the Actors Studio and introduce her to Lee Strasberg. |
|
©The Estate of Marilyn Monroe |
Through this first meeting Lee Strasberg made his mind up to work with Marilyn and she attended private acting lessons in his home. After a time it was felt Marilyn was sure enough of herself to join the class at the Paramount Theatre. Marilyn Monroe enrolled in the Tuesday and Friday classes in 1955 at the Actors Studio (they met just twice a week) and there were about 30 members altogether. When Marilyn attended these classes she would always sit near the back of the room, and would enter just before the doors closed. Marilyn was never actually a member of the Actors Studio but in February 1956 she performed a scene from Anna Christie – her acting caught everyone by surprise that witnessed it that day – everyone except Lee Strasberg that is. If you were to look at Marilyn's later films – Bus Stop, The Prince and the Showgirl, Some Like It Hot, and The Misfits you can see the effect that attending the classes at the Actors Studio had on Marilyn!! She wanted to become a serious actress, she left 20th Century Fox, went to live in New York, formed Marilyn Monroe Productions in the very same year that she enrolled at the Actors Studio. |
|
|
Marilyn was never elected as an official member (it is said that in the middle of the 1950's over a thousand actors auditioned for membership – and out of all those only approx 10 were chosen each year). However, in 1962 Lee Strasberg spoke with her about becoming a member of the Actors Studio, and it is stated that Marilyn was going to become a permanent member in September that year – sadly she never saw September 1962. In March 1963 the Marilyn Monroe Fund was founded by the Actors Studio, the money was to go towards a new rehearsal hall, and a scholarship fund for new, aspiring actors. You can see The Marilyn Monroe Theatre at the Strasberg Institute in West Hollywood, California. |
|
© All Rights Reserved Worldwide 2005 – 2010. Infringement of copyright is not intended. Non-profit making site, created through my love and respect for Marilyn Monroe!! Webmiss: Andrea H (England) |
