This post and my question is really birthed out of the thread requesting warm ups. With so many opinions, that discussion was very interesting, but I did not want to further distract from the original request.  I am just curious about the response to the use of "exercises" during the rehearsal process. 

As directors do you employ the use of character building exercises to help your actors?  If so, what can you share some examples?

Outside of character building are there other exercises you use to help your cast? Examples?

Do you have an opinion in support or opposition to doing this kind of work during rehearsals, etc? 

I would really appreciate feedback from the community.  What are you thoughts?

Every time I remark about this I get lynched for it - so I won't do that.  Let's put it this way - IN MY OPINION - it simply doesn't work for me, I don't do it as an actor OR director.  I've heard all the arguments and if people do the jobs for which they accept the responsiblity, then team building can take place without the need for exercises to help the cast and character development can be the director's AND the actors collaborative effort.... to get them where they need to be and it's subjective - individual for EACH and EVERY actor but can be done in group or on an individual basis. The exercises are very "academia" oriented.  Read Mamet's take on doing that stuff - he's much more scathing than I could ever be.  BUT AGAIN it's just my opinion and what has and has not worked for me.  I say if it works for your cast or individual actors then do it.  If it goes no-where, then drop the idea.  The key is building comradery, getting out of your actors what you need to defined by the script, tradition of the show you're doing and any prior research you do to formulate your concept for the production.  I HAVE always enjoyed doing a lot of discussion about the characters allowing the actors to find some of the things about him or her on their own - the whole time having a clear picture of what I want from them, but being flexible enough to guide the actors into coming up with things that even I might not have considered and scraping MY ideas and opinions when someone (to whom all credit is given) comes up with things far better even than I do...and they have been many at times.

I believe in adjectives!

One activity I do early on (with small casts, large casts only on an individual basis if a person is struggling) is ask each actor to give me at least five adjectives that would describe their character.

I went back and re-read the post and realized you didn't mean the "team building" thing re: exercises for that purpose - rather CHARACTER development things...duh!! Sorry about that.  At any rate, I have run the gamut I think of types with whom I've worked (directors that is) and they all seem to have varying degrees of thought on this subject.  I worked with one who was so frickin' detailed about character, he would dim the lights, speak really softly - almost hypnotically, then ask two actors at a time to "think" of things, yada, yada.  Needless to say this guy was a cosmic weirdo - and that was not only MY assessment.  Then I've worked with directors who did NOTHING - ZIP!!.....to give you character ideas.  Thus many people were left to find it on their own - some floundered, some would shine.  I did work with one director who did some sort of sheet that sort of described the character (basic what she wanted out of the character) then she would "lead" the actors to "find" that vision...but no interjections of something the actor might have found.  Very rigid in her concept but overall a great director who knew how to develop characters and one of the best SHAKESPEARE directors in town - knew it very very well.

When I think about my own experience- being directed as an actor, and then directing other actors.  I realize that I have primarily worked with directors that have a strong background as actors themselves- and therefore I think they come to the table in working with actors in ways that are informed by their own experience on the stage. That is true for myself as a director.  We all only know what we have ourselves experienced, or been taught, or that is instinctual within us.

Some of my most rewarding experiences working with an ensemble on stage has been with a director that really pushed us in the rehearsal process through various improvisational and experiential exercises. They helped me dig deeper into finding connection with my character, but even more so helped us make discoveries between our characters.  I also found that sometimes I might not have gotten much out of a particular exercise or warm up- but that another character's interaction with mine made an impact on their performance.  I always try to keep in mind that its not just about what I need or what works for me as an actor, its also about giving others what they need or doing what works for them. 

I have that attitude when it comes to directing too.  My style is that I do like to give actors opportunity for discovery inside and outside the scripted material.  BUT I realize not everyone likes to work that way. It seems that its not a common practice of those here in this community.  I wonder why that is. Is it not wanting to take the time during rehearsals?  Is it that you dont see the value in it?  It is simply not part of your own experience?  Do you view it as just tricks or overblown fluff?

I value it because I know what it has meant in my own process and in the process of people I have worked with.  One situation in particular was with a very talented actor- we were having a private coaching session.  I was "interviewing" his character- asking why questions (much like whitebat had mentioned).  After he opened to rave reviews, he thanked me  because our session led to him make better more interesting and informed choices for his character.  Do I think his performance would have been horrible without the coaching session- of course not!  He is a great actor. Do I think his performance was enhanced because of our coaching session- absouletly!