Vahktangov - First Studio - a very brief introduction

About 99 years ago, Yevgeny Vakhtangov appeared on the scene at the Moscow Art Theatre. He was a young actor and soon-to-be director, fresh from the Adashev Drama School. At this time, Stanislavsky was in the process of organizing yet another group of young theatre artists - this particular one, of which Vakhtangov was chosen to be part of, came to be known as The First Studio of the Moscow Art Theatre. Much has been written and talked about regarding this group, though not nearly enough. And in a blog post like this, its difficult to decide where to begin in examining Vakhtangov and/or The First Studio. The lead-up to it is as rich in detail and excitement and historical importance as any moment of western theatrical history, as is the huge, huge aftermath. Given the set-up and the following influence, its easy to say the First Studio was the single most important theatrical group ever in western theatre practice. And in the amazing make-up of people who were part of it, Vakhtangov was/is, in the end, the single most important member and contributor to its work and influence - in those immediate moments and beyond.

Vakhtangov was born in February of 1883 and died in May of 1922. He worked with and is the in-practice combination and common link uniting Stanislavsky, Sulerzhitsky, Michael Chekhov, Meyerhold and others. To understand Vakhtangov is to understand, in fundamental practice and potential, the history and work of the Stanislavsky System and many of the subsequent great directors and teachers of theatre including Lee Strasberg. What came before, and what came after Vakhtangov is all part and parcel of, and contained in the body of work he set forth as an actor and director during his short life. His humble and dedicated endeavors (working in small theatres with as-of-yet unheard of folks and bare-bones conditions) provide an example of love and a story of promise and hope that is as good as they get.

That's my brief, brief introduction. Its a long tale, but I can give you some detail and perspective over time, over more posts, and of course there are others out there who can contribute mightily to the story. Revisiting Vakhtangov is always a must!