The Green Room - meditation for performers

Feb 28^th, 2008 at 9:30am

kitchensinger Offline
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in my kitchen

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Oh where to start this thread...food/health....general...?

I started it here because it's meant for performers. I need some meditation exercises quick! A friend already gave me a good one, but I think I need more.

How do you get totally relaxed and clear your mind before a performance?

"I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm."--Calvin Coolidge&&&&"Some families go water skiing together; others go camping.....our family does THEME PARTIES." --my brother Ben

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Reply #1 - Feb 28^th, 2008 at 9:55am

The Dark Knight Ex Member
www.maniccity.tv

I have a particular theater memory that just kind of sums up everything that makes me feel good in theater. It'svery simple, just huggingone ofmy dearest friends in the lobby after closing of HCTWVC's 2001 production of "Heaven Can Wait." Going there mentally makes me relaxed, happy and confident, and complettely focused on theater and performing, because that particular time was the bestI've ever felt about theater.

If you have a simple memory like that, it might help. Or not. I only know it works for me.

http://www.maniccity.tv/

"The power is not in the mask. It's in whether we chose to wear it."
-Peter Blustrinsky

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Reply #2 - Feb 28^th, 2008 at 10:16am

Rosie Poppins Offline
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Still I'm incandescent
Salt Lake City

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A very dear friend of mine once gave me the mantra "I wonder what will happen tonight?" It freed me from thinking "I have to be perfect" or "So-and-so is going to be here tonight, what if such-and-such doesn't work?"

Though each and every show is going to be the same and have the same level of quality, the "I wonder" mantra helps me relax into that quality and even give way for my improv training to take over, if it needs to.

I believe I am a better performer when I control what I can and let the other chips fall where they may. "I wonder" helps me get in that frame of mind.

Let me make one thing quite clear: I never explain anything.

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Reply #3 - Feb 28^th, 2008 at 11:06am

Cheeky Monkey Offline
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Austin, TX

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I like picking a CD or selection of songs that identify with my character, then listening to them while I get ready.

If you don't have time to do that, use Enya or any similarly relaxing music.

Do you know any Alexander techniques? One is standing in a relaxed pose with your feet directly under your knees and your knees slightly bent. Then very slowly lower your head, then neck, then one vertebrae at a time until your arms are almost touching the ground. Stay there for a few seconds, allowing your head to dangle completely relaxed, then very slowly come back up.

"Depends. Did you feel anything for the pumpkin? The midgets?" -Wildcard&&&&If Mary Matalin and James Carville can make it work, ANYONE can. The end.

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Reply #4 - Feb 28^th, 2008 at 11:09am

FRANta Claus Offline
Prima
Closer to fine.
SO over it.

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I often find a quiet place backstage and sit on a chair, hands palm up and relaxed on my knees. I concentrate on my breathing and bringing energy into my body through my hands. Sometimes I'll focus on the feel of the air on my skin. It relaxes and energizes me.

You have no power over me!

Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding, therefore ye have not been wise.

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Reply #5 - Feb 28^th, 2008 at 11:21am

kitchensinger Offline
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in my kitchen

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Quote:

A very dear friend of mine once gave me the mantra "I wonder what will happen tonight?" �It freed me from thinking "I have to be perfect" or "So-and-so is going to be here tonight, what if such-and-such doesn't work?"

THANK. YOU.

I really needed this.

Thanks to everyone else, too. �Keep 'em comin'!

"I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm."--Calvin Coolidge&&&&"Some families go water skiing together; others go camping.....our family does THEME PARTIES." --my brother Ben

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Reply #6 - Feb 28^th, 2008 at 11:48am

mr. spiker Offline
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a nest of sandworms
Eagle Mountain, UT

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kitchensinger wrote on Feb 28^th, 2008 at 9:30am:

How do you get totally relaxed and clear your mind before a performance?

I pace.

But my real key is routine. I'm a creature of habit. I get to the theatre at the same time, stop in and look at the stage, check costume, etc.

I don't think much, and that ensures I'm not getting nervous. I just do my thing, another day at the office. But it takes some time to establish that routine and recognize it.

http://www.fiftytwoplays.com

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Reply #7 - Feb 28^th, 2008 at 12:51pm

peaches pit Offline
Ensemble
I Love PA!

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How about a stiff drink? Wink

Just kidding. I too am a creature of habit; establishing a routine helps me. (Till somee one screwas it up by moving things where I had put them the night before ore not sending down shared costumes pieces to be cleaned)

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Reply #8 - Feb 28^th, 2008 at 1:12pm

Wc365 Offline
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The Random Element
West Punkt

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Sometimes just walking around the space helps bring me into the moment. sometimes running around in circles in the rehearsal hall at the Terrace also kind of helped.

Otherwise, if it's meditation you're after, just focusing on a single word helps. "Koyaanisquatsi" does it for me.

No, I'm serious, actually.

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Reply #9 - Feb 28^th, 2008 at 5:49pm

BroadwayBaby6 Ex Member

I like the Alexander technique where you lay down and focus on relaxing each part of your body, and keep going back to relaxing the neck. It's fabulous. Also some suzuki exercises help me feel strong, confident, and focused. The most important thing for me through any relaxing exercise, is focusing on my breathing. When my breathing feels out of control, then I feel out of control.

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