Describe how you want to experience your next performance.
Imagine walking on stage: How do you want to feel physically? What kinds of
thoughts do you want to be having? What emotions do you want to experience?
The next time I walk on the stage for a performance, I want to
feel confident. I need to believe in myself that I know what I am performing so
that the audience can thoroughly enjoy the show. Once I walk on the stage I
need to feel strong and continue to go, until I take my bow.
How would you like to come across to your audience? What image
do you want to convey through your stage entrances, exits, and bows?
I must
become the character when I am on the stage. I would like the audience to see the
character I am playing, instead of just Chris. I also want them to feel comfortable
the entire time they are in the audience.
Have you recently videotaped a performance and later watched it
with a mentor to discuss your stage presence? If not, when might you be able to
do this?
Yes. I
often do this with all my performances, especially when I sing in voice lab. I
will record my piece, and then my teacher and I will watch it at the beginning of
my next lesson, then apply the feedback to the song.
How do you experience performance anxiety? Describe your
specific symptoms:
physical
thought
patterns (self-talk)
feelings
When
people ask me if I was nervous at all I usually lie. Right before going on
stage I get butterflies in my stomach. I have also had many stressful angry outbursts.
People try to help me, but I just get angry. This year I am happy that I have
someone in my life who wants to help me and keeps me calm before I go on.
Of the interventions described for handling anxiety in this
chapter, which do you plan to work on?
I plan
on just staying calm and knowing that I am in control of my anxiety.
Have you ever experienced discomfort during or after practice?
What have you done as a result of feeling this discomfort?
I feel
tired after practice at times. If I sing all my hard songs my voice can be
tired. Being a music major I sing all day. I just pick and choose when I want to
mark or go on vocal rest for practice or the day.
How often do you take breaks during practice sessions? How long
are these breaks? What do you do during these breaks?
I often
do not take breaks during vocal lessons. We talk in between songs and I drink
water, but other than that I do not take breaks. In rehearsal we usually get a
break every hour, it is about five to ten minutes each. I use this time to
relax and talk to my fellow actors. I just use the break time as a chance for
me to enjoy myself.
To help ensure a lifetime of healthy music making, what else
(beyond taking breaks) can you do to help safeguard your performance health.
I need
to know my voice and continue to study and learn how to use it. Doing this I
can maximize my career as a singer. I have to be able to sing correctly the
entire time and know when I need rest. I am the only one who knows my voice and
who can make a change.
