In a single phrase, Darryl's approach was: “Acting is Physical.” It's best described specifically in this way: What we do as actors is take little black ink symbols on white paper, (someone else's creative vision) process it through our instrument, (voice, body, emotional inner life) and come out with interesting, human, PHYSICAL behavior, that tells the truth of the story. In essence, what we see is far more important than what we hear. Being able to create that behavior truthfully is the actor's single best asset, and the only thing under an actor's complete control is to develop that skill.

Centered and based on the principles of Stanislavsky, and from his time at the Actors' Studio, his coffee meetings with Uta Hagan, his classes in physical expression with Viola Spolin, Hickman developed a unique and, as detailed in his book “The Unconscious Actor; Working Out of Control – In Full Command,” he describes his innovative approach as one that teaches a step-by-step foolproof process that guarantees your best performance on stage, or in front of a camera.