Chekhov Intensive

Early Decision Application Deadline: February 1st, 2026

“The actor that masters Anton Chekhov masters all of modern realism. Chekhov is perhaps the greatest author in understanding of human beings. I would say he is my favorite author…and an entirely new system of performance had to be worked out because of him.” – Stella Adler

The Stella Adler Studio of Acting has created an advanced-level summer intensive which endeavors to illuminate modern realism through the lens of its greatest practitioner. Anton Chekhov offers plays with roots as deep as Sophocles and branches that reach to Beckett, Williams, August Wilson and beyond. His plays are deeply human offering the world a mirror in which we can see our deepest selves. He offers true substance to the studio’s central claim that “growth as an actor and growth as a human being are synonymous.”

At the core of this intensive is the Chekhov Scene Study class taught by actor, director, and playwright Pete McElligott. This course offers an in-depth look at Chekhov’s major plays (Seagull, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters, The Cherry Orchard), with an emphasis on Script Analysis, determining Objectives, and playing Actions. The mystery of Chekhov’s genius is revealed through a layer-by-layer exploration of Character Relationships and the Given Circumstances, and by the peeling away of extraneous, self-oriented acting impulses. The actor’s work becomes pure and simple and direct.

Evelyn Giovine (Yale School of Drama) will bring the final phase of Stanislavski’s life’s work, featuring improvisations called études, to the Chekhov Intensive. Additional courses in Voice & Speech, Movement and On-Camera Acting will supplement these classes. Offered in the summer only, this is a five-week, 30-hour per week intensive designed for the advanced actor.