As someone who adores the stage you may think I’m the right ‘guy’ to tell you how to prepare for it. However in all honesty the things I do before going into the spotlight maybe aren’t the most productive. That being said, my main piece of advice would always be to do what works for you – every performer is different and every performance is different. Similarly the way you prepare for this show is always going to be somewhat different from the last, because that’s the beauty of the arts – it’s never static. So find your ‘zen’ – take whatever route you need to, to get yourself physically and mentally prepared to bring the roof of the house down.
A few ideas that may help:
1) Visualisation – a weird but good way to prepare yourself and your memory, you may look a little odd in the wings deeply breathing with your eyes shut, but imagining yourself doing your thing on stage prepares your mind to do it for real.
2) Physical warm ups – even if you’re only singing, remember that it’s not just your voice that needs warming up, now I’m not talking a 1500m sprint around the theatre halls or anything, but limber up your muscles and stretch out that diaphragm.
3) Don’t over think it! Whilst it’s good to read/sing over your bits or practice your cues, don’t freak yourself out – before going on stage you want to be a bit nervous but you don’t want to be panicking…this will happen if you start overthinking and working yourself into a state. Believe me when that curtain goes up you will remember your stuff and you will break a leg – just trust yourself and relax, take a deep breath and SMASH IT!
Post by Alex Lee, Third Priest/Orator
Two more performances to go! Wednesday 17th June and Friday 19th June
Opera Otago 
Leave a Reply