The Yiddish Book Center's

Wexler Oral History Project

A growing collection of in-depth interviews with people of all ages and backgrounds, whose stories about the legacy and changing nature of Yiddish language and culture offer a rich and complex chronicle of Jewish identity.

"It Was This Impersonal, Powerful, Uncompromisable Artistic Standard Just Coming At You": Descriptions of Stella Adler's Classes

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Tom Oppenheim, grandson of Yiddish theatre actors Jacob and Sara Adler, Artistic Director and President of Stella Adler Studio of Acting, describes Stella Adler's theatre classes. He recalls the standing ovations that she received upon entering rooms and describes the intensity and power of her performances and classes.

This is an excerpt from an oral history with Tom Oppenheim.

This excerpt is in English.

Tom Oppenheim was born in New York, New York in 1959.

This interview is part of the Yiddish and the Arts: musicians, actors, and artists series.

Other video highlights from this oral history

Stella Adler's First Theater Memory and Her Capacity to Identify Strongly With Others

1 min 28 sec

Responsibility of Theater Actors to Raise Themselves and Their Audiences Up

2 min 8 sec

The Importance of Imagination in Stella Adler's Philosophy and Work

3 min 48 sec

Harold Clurman Got Inspiration from the Adler Family

1 min 37 sec

Tom Oppenheim Describes Stella Adler, His Grandmother

2 min 29 sec

Stella Adler's Career Path

4 min 26 sec

Stella Adler and A Flag is Born

4 min 32 sec

More information about this oral history excerpt

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