State of Discovery: Your place to be free

I’m thinking of making a move to a new state.  For good.

I’ve been blessed to live in California, Washington, spent considerable time in New York and grew up in good ol’ Iowa.  I’ve visited 47 of our 50 states (Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine remain!).  Though I love the midwest, Kansas City and now home state of Missouri, when I think of states in the context of performance, the State of Discovery is where I really want to be.

What’s this state like?  Free, open, devoid of pretense, exhilarating.  It’s a place where something truly valuable can happen for your Audience and for you as Actor.

Too often I see presenters running through their prepared pitch, posturing as “expert”, taking little time to let their thoughts land, to adapt to their Audience’s rhythm, to really listen and sense what’s happening in the room.

I’m experiencing this with my current acting auditions and performances.  My sense of what I think should happen with the character, casting director or producer jams my ability to play, improvise, and discover.  In the few times I’ve moved past my preconceptions I’ve discovered an amazing place of freedom.  And fun.

Getting to the State of Discovery is an easy drive, right?  I mean, you could just map it and let turn-by-turn directions steer you there.  Or is it more complex for you, where you need to pull out the old multi-fold paper map and pencil?

Depends on you, the business Actor, an authentic communicator who often must stretch into roles and destinations less comfortable.  It’s how adaptable you are via confidence in your content, how free you can be within the stage you’ve established.

What do you need to live in the State of Discovery?  Nothing big, just:

• Focus
• Energy
• Confidence
• Ability to listen
• Patience
• Humility
• Adaptability
• Neutrality
• Presence

Easy, right (especially that last one)?  Only if you’re willing to prepare and practice.  And push the limits of you.

Having lived, for at least a bit in the State of Discovery, consider me a guide who can help you get there, prepare and practice, and stretch to reach this wonderfully freeing place.  Coaching and Workshops are a great place to start.

Please use the Contact link above to reach out.  And enter your email address to receive every-so-often updates on discussions happening here.

It’s your stage.  Your performance.  And with newly discovered destinations, you’re on!