THE JAVA JIVE: Acting Means Inspiration!

You are surrounded by “Inspiration” every day. And that inspiration, channeled, can make you INCREDIBLE on stage. Inspiration is the “verb” of Inspiring. It’s NOT the idle dream of making it big. It’s the lifeblood that allows you to craft your character and bring it to life with nuance, honesty – creating magic.

INSPIRATION allows you to eloquently craft a story as a stage ensemble, because you are developing a wholistic micro and macro world view – not drawing from a single source, but from an ocean of learning and understanding. In short, inspiration EMPOWERS you to be a spherical, unlimited powerhouse.  

Rule Two – Where’s Your Inspiration?

So, how do you get IT? Don’t rush it. Give yourself permission to disconnect from tech as you know it and connect to life differently. Immerse yourself in every art form. Explore an art museum or different cultures. Maybe attend a music concert or a dance form that is unique to you? You will find inspiration in HOW to move differently in character. Explore nature, a zoo, or a National Geographic video. Asking how creatures interact or fight SHAPES our character portrayals.

People-watch, take pics or sketch in public. Take in a nature walk and listen to how your breathing changes. BECOME a student of the world and cultures – in a Museum. Be aware and inspired by the “different”.

Immerse yourself in different perspectives as to NOT lose your perspective. This INSPIRATION will inspire countless people to become their best selves.

Challenges to Percolate:

Devote ten minutes to nurture yourself by:

  • Thinking HOW you would describe your world and story to someone from a different time or culture.
  • Do something different.
  • Read and ACT a classic poem.
  • Make a pact with a friend to share your “people watching” stories.
  • Listen to a This American Life in podcast.
  • Think how art shapes a culture or society or how it reflects it!

© The Pfluger Empathy Movement Method

THE JAVA JIVE: So, how do you “DO” acting?

Acting Means Learning how to be Aware and Stay Activated! 

You know that there’s MORE to you than scrolling through Instagram! So don’t cheat yourself by taking your foot off the gas! The secret is to “Push Yourself, but Not Push Yourself Over”! There is always room to grow, on stage – and off. The secret is that ACTING is that it is a VERB! Something that you AUTHENTICALLY and ACTIVELY “DO”!

Rule One – Progress, not Perfection!

To TRULY ACT, we MUST TRULY “BE” present on stage, and present in life… And that takes STAMINA!  And you need to exercise your stamina like you would exercise your muscles… or your brain. First! Give yourself permission to not “be perfect”. Acknowledge that this is a process.

Why don’t you start by setting a timer for five minutes? In short, BE PRESENT while “people watching”, listening to a conversation in the room, or watching a show – and REACT authentically to the stimuli.  If you are feeling super brave, read and “perform” for yourself in the mirror. Make friends with your facial expressions, your breathing, and your emotions. Because what an audience WANTS to see is how an ACTOR/ACTRESS responds and reacts with realness. Give them, and you, that gift! Let them see that light bulb moment! Remember, on stage to “Take chances, make mistakes, get messy”. Genius comes through trial and error!

Challenge to “Percolate”:   Show your virtual “audience”/family/friends five different reactions and responses that are unique and let them guess your thoughts and reactions. Go for a BIG reaction. To quote the Frizz, “Take chances. Make mistakes. Get messy”… and prepare to be AWESOME!

© The Pfluger Empathy Movement Method