How to Rehearse and Prepare
Knowing your material is only the start. You have to rehearse the performance: the movement, the timing, the energy, and the mistakes you plan to recover from. These episodes walk through how I rehearse, including mental rehearsal, recording yourself, and planning a show from the big moment backward.
Episodes on this topic
- How to Rehearse EffectivelyJuly 22, 2018
Do you really need to rehearse? You have done this dozens of times. It's not like you have the time to put in for this show. Let’s just wing it this time. Horse-Crap! You MUST make time to rehearse. Sometimes it's not easy, you have a job and kids and you only have 3 days until the show. I get it.
- Mental Rehearsal For PerformersMarch 13, 2019
Mental rehearsal has quite a broad effect on your performance. So how is it done properly? There are techniques you can use when putting yourself through a mental rehearsal to make it more effective. You didn’t think it was just thinking through your material did you? I should hope not.
- Polish Your PerformanceAugust 28, 2018
Much like a sculptor has to smooth his design, the painter has to work in the detail, the performer must polish his performance. You have the idea, great, now what? You have the creativity to think up an amazing performance, now put in the work to bring it to life. Don’t get lazy with it, don’t procrastinate your rehearsal.
- Visualize Yourself on StageNovember 7, 2018
Everytime you get on stage try to imagine what you want to audience to see. Then create that show and have confidence in what you created. Every performer has a vision before getting on stage. If not, get one. Take a moment to relax, close your eyes and visualize yourself on stage, what you are doing, where you are standing, your facial expressions. Think about the experience you want to give the audience.
- Keeping Time and Using RhythmJuly 23, 2018
Moments become magical no stage because of great timing and use of rhythm. Performers need to harness the power of the beat and use it to timed movements that will capture the audience. Rhythm does really getcha! If you use it well you can get the audience too. Moments and movements that are timed and syncopated to the underlying rhythm is what creates showstopping moments for your crowd.
- Desperate Times call for PreparationAugust 21, 2018
There will come a time when you will be needed, You will be called upon to Perform with very little notice and sometimes with very little expectation. You should always have something prepared to perform at the last minute. Always have something ready “just-in-case.” This may happen because the promoter or booking agent knows you have the talent, you have proven yourself to be resourceful.
- When You Have to Plan Your ShowJuly 24, 2019
How to plan your show. Find the climax first, then the opening, then build between them, and leave room to improvise.
- Create the Perfect PerformanceJuly 26, 2019
Create the perfect performance. Why chasing perfection fails, why authenticity counts as perfect, and how to aim for success instead.
- Plan, Prepare, and PraySeptember 5, 2019
Plan, prepare, and pray. What a hurricane evacuation taught Reggie about preparing the same way every time, even when the storm fizzles.