1.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?
-When I walk onto stage I want to feel the stage lights touch my skin, I think about NOT falling in my heels and long gown. I want to feel elated, ecstatic, and overjoyed by the performance that is about to happen. Knowing I put in the work will show in my performance (hopefully).
- How would you like to come across to your audience? What image do you want to convey through your stage entrances, exits, and bows?
-strong, confident, and happy to be on stage. I want to always acknowledge the performers I am working with, and thank the conductor or pianist. - 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 have. For my senior recital I went back and listened/watched it with my private lessons teacher. - How do you experience performance anxiety? Describe your specific symptoms:
*Physical
-My hands and feet sweat profusely, but I keep a smile while facing the audience at all times.
*thought patterns (self-talk)
- feelings
-I am normally happy when I see my loved ones in the audience. The only other feelings I get is confusion when either I or my fellow actors say a line that is intended to be funny, but it isn’t recognized as a joke.
- Of the interventions described for handling anxiety in this chapter, which do you plan to work on?
- meditation and deep breaths too clear my mind. Because my hands sweat so often when I am nervous its just super hard.
- Have you ever experienced discomfort during or after practice? What have you done as a result of feeling this discomfort?
-Sometimes I get uncomfortable when people walk by my practice room because I try to practice how I would perform, which is full out. - How often do you take breaks during practice sessions? How long are these breaks? What do you do during these breaks?
- As a vocalist and a dancer you cant physically practice for too long to sustain good vocal health. As a dancer I just try to stretch in between if I feel I need a break. I don’t normally practice for more than 40 minutes at a time.
- To help ensure a lifetime of healthy music making, what else (beyond taking breaks) can you do to help safeguard your performance health?
-staying hydrated, sleeping and eating regularly, practice how you will perform.