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how do you prepare for the evening's performance?

Wed, 1 July 2009, 11:36 pm
Lisa Skryp45 posts in thread
OK - my turn to ask a question of actors, directors & techies of all varieties - how do you prepare for the evening's performance? I tend to have a light, not too garlicky dinner, then prepare my ever-present travel mug of coffee & head to the theatre as early as practicable. I find music that suits my character - often look for a "theme song" to get me in the right mood for my character. This time it might be something by the Kinks, but still deciding. Singing in the car is warmup part one. If the show is a musical, there will of course be a fair bit more vocal exercises. Get to theatre; dump my gear; check/set my props/costume. Tooth brushing, enough costume for decency, warmup (see below) then makeup/hair, if I can do it in that order. I like to be ready early enough for last-minute disasters. Then I go around stashing my water bottle(s) here & there for easy access backstage. I enjoy group warmups that are to do with pace/group intuition, but on my own I like to do at least a little light stretching/relaxing excercises & go through my moves onstage, walking my way into character. I like to do a familiar speech (not necessarily from the current show) & work on projection & breathing. Depending on the physicality of my role I might get into a bit more of a physical warmup as well. Think that's roughly it. Might change a bit this time - we'll see... What's your routine?

My goodness, all these

Fri, 3 July 2009, 04:39 pm

My goodness, all these people more than happy to share their toilet habits with us...I hardly know where to look!

One thing that seems to be common is pre-performance nerves, which makes me think there must be something wrong with me because I just never suffer from nervousness. Occasionally I might feel a little anxious about fellow cast members, but personally...no. I think perhaps my experience in radio has done that for me.

I will admit, though, that I occasionally have the same nightmare in which I'm rushing about backstage in total panic because I can't find my costume and my entrance on stage is fast approaching. I'm always jarred awake by it and it takes long moments before the realisation dawns on me that it was only a dream...thank goodness.

Anyone else have a similar experience?

 

Per Ardua Ad Astra

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