Expert: Peter Messaline - 7/2/2009

Question
Hello

I am just wondering what techniques would you use before a performance?

Cheers
Reuben

Answer
"A large Scotch and a brisk walk to the stage!"
This legendary reply by an old actor is close to real life sometimes.

On the other hand, I once worked with a woman who spent the interval 'getting into' the high emotional state of her character's first scene, and spent the rest of the play in tears.

I think it's rarely a good idea to run through the script
I often walked the stage before the show, to allow the familiar surroundings to key me into the play's reality  
Some people go into a quiet corner and work on their make-up and costume
By the sound of many dressing-rooms, some people like to chat loudly about nothing much, and then walk on and act.

There are all sorts of preparation mechanisms that people use, from vigorous physical workout to relying on experience and the rehearsal period, but they are all, to some extent, tricks to get the mind to dial down the everyday world and rediscover the character's world. You'll find the tricks that work for you. Read all the various ways, and then don't think about it, just drift toward what works for you.

Happy hunting