fandomhigh | Drama, Monday, Period 2 [5/25]

"Stage fright," Sophie said, wandering down the aisle as she spoke. "Is a phenomenon of many parts, including self-consciousness, perfectionism, and catastrophising. An actor can be afraid of forgetting their lines, of looking foolish, or of causing disaster on-stage. Experienced actors manage to use normal nerves and heightened anticipation to spur them on! Instead of fear, they turn their awareness into excitement, the thrill and rush of exhibitionism, and performing. But for those with less practice, there are a few things you can do. Such as..." Sophie smiled, and ticked off on her fingers. "Know the material. If you're confident in that, you can place one more burden aside. Preparation gives you control. Next, breathe! Diaphragmatic breathing, in," she demonstrated, expanding her diaphragm, "then out, can help keep you calm. Accept that you will be nervous. Don't expect that you'll be perfectly together in that setting for the first time, and don't regard it as a failure if you're not."

"But most importantly, and I can not stress this enough," Sophie sat down on the edge of the stage, "live in the moment. That line, that interaction, that movement on stage. Worrying or thinking about the entire performance at once will only take away your focus, and increase your anxiety. You don't have to be perfect, you just have to be present." She met each of their eyes in turn, and smiled. "And to increase that, this week's exercise is pure improv: the Questions Only game. Winner is the student who can keep going in a conversation without recycling a question, or falling back on answering. Go!"

[ocd ~~on its way~~ is up!]