Page 28 - March 2020
P. 28
FIELD NOTES
Opening night is here, there is a packed house creates mucus in the throat and blocks vocal
of paying patrons, and I am one of three actors projection—and some quirky: yawn three times
facing fourteen performances over 3 weeks. I before walking on stage because it increases the
am waiting in the wings for my cue to enter the oxygen flow to the brain.
stage. I know that when I walk on stage I can show My theatre routine was to walk the stage
no hesitancy, discomfort, or lack of confidence. before performances. I’d silently run through
They paid good money and are expecting to see all my lines, my movement, and key moments
a good performance, not my hesitation or fear. in my head—putting myself into my character
At my cue, I enter the stage in character before I entered the space.
without a hint or trace of fear. I feel all those Although I don’t do theatre anymore, I have a
pairs of eyes swivel to lock onto me. I rely on routine for when I give speeches. Before a speech
my routine to get me through this performance. I also walk the room. I want to know what the
The play is on! sight lines are, if there are obstacles between me
Stage fright is real. I face it every time I and the audience, and where the timing lights
walk in front of an audience, conduct a training are. When I am introduced it is past time to find
session, or give a speech at my home club. Before out that a part of my talk won’t work because
every performance I had a routine; it helped me of a potted plant or that the lectern cannot be
get into character and set aside my fear. Every moved as I’d hoped. Knowing the space before
seasoned actor and accomplished speaker has the speech allows me the flexibility to adjust
a routine—some practical: don’t drink milk or and be in command the moment the audience
eat dairy products before speaking because it sees me.
28 ONE COMMUNITY
