Final answer:
Lee Strasberg is a director and acting teacher known for emphasizing Stanislavsky's Emotional Recall technique within 'The Method'. Stanislavski developed the acting approach that became central to 20th-century theatre and influenced Strasberg and others who taught many iconic American actors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The director and acting teacher who emphasized Stanislavsky's Emotional Recall technique was one of the proponents of what became known as 'The Method'. This approach to acting involves utilizing the memories of past experiences to evoke authentic emotional responses on stage or screen as part of the performance. This technique is derived from the practices developed by Constantin Stanislavski, who placed a great emphasis on the psycho-physiological transformation in acting. He worked closely with prominent figures such as Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko and was a key influence on acting in the early 20th Century, especially with his collaboration in founding the Moscow Art Theatre.
Stanislavski's system evolved over time and was brought to the United States by figures like Richard Boleslavski and Maria Ouspenskaya. This led to the rise of influential teachers, such as Lee Strasberg, who was particularly known for emphasizing emotional recall. Strasberg, along with others like Stella Adler and Sanford Meisner, helped shape the craft of many iconic American actors by teaching them to draw upon their own experiences to breathe life into their characters, creating nuanced and deeply felt performances.
However, it's worth noting that Mikhail Chekhov, a talented protégé of Stanislavski and nephew of playwright Anton Chekhov, eventually deviated from this focus on emotional recall, emphasizing other aspects such as Creative Imagination and Psychological Gesture instead.