History of the Actors Studio The Actors Studio was founded in 1947 in New York City, by Elia Kazan, Cheryl Crawford Robert Lewis. Lee Strasberg became Artistic Director in 1951, and remained so until his death in 1982. In New York, Al Pacino, Harvey Keitel Ellen Burstyn are Co-Presidents. In West Hollywood Mark Rydell is the Artistic Director and Martin Landau Mark Rydell are the Executive Directors. The Actors Studio is a theatre workshop for professional actors, directors and writers, chartered as a non-profit, educational, tax deductible corporation. ( The term The Actors Studio is a registered trademark. ) No fees are charged and donations are voluntary. The Studio is supported by Benefits and a Board of Directors. The Studio in West Hollywood is the West Coast branch of the Studio in New York. Neither is a school for beginners. Actors are admitted on the basis of talent. ( See THIS PAGE regarding audition procedures. ) The above founders created a place for professional actors where they could continue their development and to experiment with new forms of theatre. In 1967, the west coast branch of The Actors Studio was born. The following year the Studio acquired the use of the William S. Hart property by an arrangement with L.A.'s Recreation & Parks Commission. The Studio undertook a refurbishing program at an initial cost of $20, 000. The garage was converted into an 84 seat theatre workshop. The main house became rehearsal space, office, library and caretaker quarters. An additional $10, 000 was spent on heating, air conditioning and general maintenance in 1984. Ralph Alswang, the theatrical designer, supervised the alterations. On December 4, 1989 the William S. Hart Park became the property of the City of West Hollywood. In 1997 there were additional refurbishment costs to the Studio of $64, 000 and we are currently a 70 seat theatre. These latest refurbishments renewed and continued the unique and productive relationship we have with the City of West Hollywood. Currently we have over 1, 000 members on both coasts. The Studio is culturally diverse and maintains a policy of non-discrimination. Any professional actor over 18 can apply for an audition and theatre professionals have come from all over the world as guests. The impact of The Actors Studio has been acknowledged world wide. In the beginning there was Konstantin Stanislavski and the Moscow Art Theatre. ( For more information about Stanislavski, refer to the books found on this page ). The work of Stanislavski and his company brought new meaning to the term "life on the stage". It had been developed from years of discovery and experimentation by Stanislavski, who had dedicated himself to a lifelong search aimed at formulating an approach to realistic acting that could, in essence, deliver the mystery of "creative inspiration" to those not born with artistic genius.