Philip G. Bennett is an Actor, Artistic Director and Instructor of
the Stanislavski System of Acting: The Method of Physical Actions and Active Analysis. He holds a BA in The Humanities
from New College of California and is a graduate of the four-year actor, teacher, and director training program of the
Sonia Moore Studio of the Theatre in New York. He holds an MA in Theatre Arts and Sciences. He was a
founding member of the American Stanislavski Theatre, (AST) in New York. Phil served as actor, instructor and assistant
artistic director to Sonia Moore from 1968 through 1975.
In 1976, Mr. Bennett founded the groundbreaking San Francisco Theatre Academy and its professional
theatre company, the Stanislavski Ensemble. And, in 1986 the next incarnation of innovative schools was born, a training and
research school known as The Bennett TheatreLab.
Phil is internationally recognized for his expertise in Stanislavski's final developments;
those known famously as The Method of Physical Actions and Active Analysis. He has incorporated the theories and practices
of the Polish director, Jerzy Grotowski; British director, Peter Brook; and RSC voice instructor Cicely Berry. Having
worked with actors and instructors of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Dan Milne and Robby Ross, Phil has specialized in classical as
well as contemporary actor training.
Since 1976 Mr. Bennett has researched and reintegrated into the System the spiritual principles
and techniques derived from Buddhism and Raja Yoga which were omitted by Soviet revisionists during the Stalinist era.
Phil has been teaching and directing the System since 1969, and has trained professional actors
for careers in New York theatre, major Shakespeare festivals, repertory theatres, graduate schools and films in both Great
Britain and America.
He has toured as a guest artists in Canada and the United States; most recently at the
Association for Higher Education in Theatre, (ATHE) where he spoke on Quantum Physics and the Art of an Actor's Transformation.
He has received nominations and awards for Best Actor, San Francisco Film
Festival; Best Supporting Actor, Desert Actors League; and, Top Ten Acting Coaches in America. He is
the recipient of the prestigious Hollywood Dramalogue Award for Best Direction, Best Production and Best Debut of a New
Company. He has made several radio and television appearances.
Most recently, Phil has been invited to give workshops and seminars at various colleges and
universities throughout the country. In February of 2006 he was invited as a guest instructor/director to The College
of William and Mary in Williamsburg, and to the School of Performing Arts in Jamestown, Virginia.
