WARM-UPS
[from the 1977 JC Penney catalog]
Did you know that being a stage performer requires stamina?
Yes. A performer’s physical, mental, and emotional state of being must be at a certain level of readiness to support excellent performance.
I am going to address these three basic types of personal readiness mentioned above that will benefit greatly from a consistent warm-up routine.
Mental, physical, and emotional.
MENTAL:
The commonly used phrase “get into character” is essentially what I am talking about here. Even in a musical variety show, every time any player walks out onto the stage, they must assume a character who will guide them as they perform.
Now, sometimes the character the player assumes will be themselves. The point is to achieve a mental condition in which whoever your character is, you are fully them so that the audience sees and feels and hears the confidence or the compassion or the confusion or the comedy that your character needs to convey.
The primary aspect of achieving the right state of mind is to avoid undue distractions. In other words, focus on the task at hand.
In terms of warming up, this type of preparation is not strenuous. Usually.
Getting yourself ready MENTALLY involves a few relatively simple steps:
- Set aside distractions. Find your mental backburner. Whatever is on your mind besides what you need to do for your performance goes on the backburner with the heat turned way down or completely off.
- Run through some or all of your cues, steps, and lines in your mind to give yourself some assurance that you have it all down. Sometimes it helps to close your eyes while you do this; and sometimes it is helpful to do “mini-steps” with your body (feet, hands, legs, arms, head) to refresh muscle memory.
- Sing, read, or recite something completely unrelated to the show. This will seem contradictory, but it can be surprisingly helpful. It can relieve the pressures of memorization and anticipation.
- Hold your thoughts firmly but loosely. In other words, try not to focus so hard on the content of your upcoming performance that it locks you up. If you “lock up,” your mind will go blank.
PHYSICAL:
Performers are athletes. Their art necessarily, inevitably involves their whole being.
It seems obvious that a dancer would need to be physically capable; but honestly even those who “just” walk on and off stage need to be prepared for the activity, as well.
[Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist]
Players who speak and sing especially need to make sure their instrument – their voice – is ready for action. Hum and softly sing through your vocal range, practicing various vowel and consonant sounds.
Do some gentle, slow stretches to prepare as many of your muscles as you can; especially around your joints – ankles, knees, wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck.
Think intentionally about improving your physical flexibility, resilience, endurance, projection, and tone.
Be very careful not to overstretch and not to wear yourself out. You are not working out, you are warming up. The workout will happen onstage.
EMOTIONAL:
Basically, if you get your mental and physical condition warmed up, you will probably be in a good place emotionally, too.
Nevertheless, it can help to be purposeful about the emotions you want to be experiencing; such as peace, contentment, joy, confidence, happiness, etc.
Take a few moments to take stock of what you are feeling. Consciously choose positive and peaceful emotions. You can be furious, flustered, frantic, frenetic, and frightened later.
All of this adds up to a confident, shining, well-timed, perfectly executed performance.
Well, one does hope, doesn’t one?
But, you know, humanity.
Humanity has its little tricks it likes to play on us. Just when we think we are in peak readiness, humanity throws something at us to remind us of our frailties, bring us back to ‘reality,’ and give us a healthy dose of humility.
Humanity loves humility.
Just don’t let humbling experiences humiliate you.
Celebrate your humanness.
Prepare with everything you’ve got. Your performance will be fine.
Remember: unless it is garishly ridiculous, the audience will never know you (think you) goofed. They will still applaud wildly.
Grin and take your bows.
Then pay attention to the Director’s notes.
Because the Director WILL have notes.
[Exit Up Right]
