Performance outside of Percussion

Since my last post, I've done alot of vocal performance, and also preparing for my first night of acting (which is actually TONIGHT!!). So, I've been digging into the transitions that accompany
"switching gears" from life outside of the performance to the show itself.

It's odd.

During the summers, this doesn't necessarily work. Being in the Phantom Regiment envelops your entire life, so preparation for the show is smooth and almost care-free because ALL day is rehearsal of the finished product. Of course, the performance is special and unique, but it's not a difficult change of pace or mindset when you only have to put on a uniform.

However, I've been continuing the process of becoming a character (actually, 2 different characters for 2 different short, one-act student directed shows), and its been vastly different. Before a scheduled rehearsal, I've been at classes, taking a nap, doing homework, or whatever, and then switching gears led me to learn a few things that are consistent and over-arching in any performance. I think that the most important and effective aspect is to just DO it! I really have had troubles aggressively jumping into whatever character. The thing is, NO ONE, the director, or fellow actors care about what I've just been doing until this point. They all showed up, just like me, to make something happen right away. There shouldn't have to be a warm-up. Mentally, yes, preparation is necessary. But, they want to tweak and alter the show, not individuals. This comes together with a paradoxical idea that, the show isn't about a single person, but that there is a perfect groove for each character that influences everything else about the performance, especially the plot and character development. So, energy, awareness, and passion all synergize together for something to happen outside of one person, and it then is cast out onto everyone else. Another eye-opening epiphany is that the audience is paying attention. I never realized just how loud laughter is, and what I had been doing when I go to see a show. On the other side of the fence, then, it's very important to use it, and more often then not, manipulate it into something else.

Whatever. Tonight, I don't have to think about any of this. The only things that I have to think about are Guy and Axel Magee, and that's only at their respective times. Easy! I'm excited to see where this leads me in the future. Seriously, this whole process has been awesome!

Here goes nothin'! And everything, really.