{"id":6118,"date":"2022-01-14T23:24:08","date_gmt":"2022-01-14T23:24:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iof.lkc.mybluehost.me\/?p=6118"},"modified":"2022-01-14T23:24:14","modified_gmt":"2022-01-14T23:24:14","slug":"preshow-rituals-how-to-prepare-before-going-on-stage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weareactors.com\/preshow-rituals-how-to-prepare-before-going-on-stage\/","title":{"rendered":"Preshow Rituals: How to Prepare Before Going on Stage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the most important parts of craft is preparation. Any knowledgable actor or acting coach will tell you that solid preparation makes the difference between a successful, believable, authentic performance, and one that simply falls flat. It\u2019s so important that Konstantin Stanislavski, famous acting coach and author of An Actor Prepares<\/em>, created an entire methodology around it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, all of the work you do in the days, weeks, and months prior to stepping onto a set or stage is critical, but no less important is what you do the day of, in those crucial hours and minutes before you get onstage. There are all sorts of things to think about, from your body to your mind to your voice to your luck – if you\u2019re the superstitious type, which many actors are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll walk you through some of the preshow rituals that can help you get ready before a performance. Whether you decide to try them exactly as listed or simply take inspiration, these ceremonious actions can make a major difference in the performance you\u2019re able to give.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Preshow<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Voice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unless you\u2019re playing in a silent film, which is rare these days, your voice will be one of your most important tools as an actor. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to take care of it and warm up it properly before you step onstage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To begin with, you may want to be careful about what you eat and drink because of the potential effect on your vocal chords. Most actors avoid dairy to protect their voices. Others make it a habit to drink throat-coating liquids like water, tea, and honey. It can also be a good idea not to overuse your voice before a show, especially if you will be singing or yelling onstage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the hours before your curtains go up, you\u2019ll want to do a vocal warm-up. The exact contents of that warm-up will vary from actor to actor but generally involve a combination of sighing, humming, trilling, yawning, singing scales, stretching the tongue, practicing tongue twisters, and massaging the lips, teeth, and gums. All of these things will make your voice sound better and minimize any damage that may be done to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Body<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the voice, the actor\u2019s second most important tool is their body. Preparing physically has many facets, also starting with what you consume the day of the show. If you get stage fright, it may be a good idea to eat foods that are gentle on the stomach, like bread and ginger. You\u2019ll also probably want to avoid anything too greasy or heavy that can potentially make you feel lifeless or lethargic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then there is the matter of a physical warm-up, which is critical to getting yourself properly ready to perform. It\u2019s a good idea to start with simply some moving around, walking in the space you have, to get your blood flowing and establish a mind-body connection. You can then move on to dynamic stretching and potentially some jumping jacks and push-ups to get yourself energized and warm-up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naturally, if your show will have a lot of movement or dancing in it, your physical warm-up will have to be longer and more involved, including more stretching and strengthening.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mind<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, don\u2019t forget the importance of mental preparation, which can make all the difference in your ability to play a character. Getting yourself into the right headspace is incredibly personal for each actor, and it may take some trial and error to find exactly what works for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some potential mental pre-show rituals that you can use to get your head in \u201cperformance mode\u201d might include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n