Stanislavski's circles of attention is a concept developed by Russian actor and director Konstantin Stanislavski as part of his system of acting. The concept is based on the idea that an actor should be able to divide their attention and focus on different elements of the performance at the same time.
According to Stanislavski, an actor should have three circles of attention: an inner circle, a middle circle, and an outer circle. The inner circle represents the actor's own thoughts and emotions, the middle circle represents the other characters and their relationships with the actor, and the outer circle represents the environment and the world of the play.
To illustrate this concept, consider a scene in which an actor is having a conversation with another character. In the inner circle, the actor is focused on their own thoughts and feelings about the conversation. In the middle circle, the actor is focused on the other character and their reactions to the conversation. In the outer circle, the actor is aware of the environment and the surroundings, such as the lighting, the props, and the set design.
Stanislavski believed that by dividing their attention in this way, actors could create a more realistic and believable performance. For example, if an actor is only focused on their own thoughts and emotions, they may not be aware of the other character's reactions or the environment, which could lead to a disconnected or unrealistic performance. By focusing on all three circles, the actor can create a more integrated and believable portrayal of the character.
In addition to the circles of attention, Stanislavski also developed the concept of "magic if," which involves the actor imagining what their character would do in a given situation. This helps the actor to create a deeper understanding of their character and to fully inhabit the role.
Overall, Stanislavski's circles of attention and "magic if" are important tools for actors to create a believable and realistic performance. By dividing their attention and focusing on different elements of the performance, actors can bring depth and authenticity to their characters and the world of the play.