Everyone who performs at a high level understands there are critical differences between training and performing. Boxers don’t jog because they’ll jog in a fight. They do it because it builds stamina. Ballet dancers stretch so their bodies move fluidly and land safely on the day. Many actors spend 80 percent of class time sitting in the audience watching other actors and another 10 percent listening to a teacher talk and still expect themselves to perform at a high level on set or in auditions. An actor’s instrument is their whole self—mind, body, and intuition—and they should train accordingly.
The 21st century has brought with it an epidemic of incomplete concentration—short attention spans that mock mental rigor as passé. The ability to focus one’s inner energy, memorize, occlude distractions, and explore for details are primary skills for an actor. There are many ways to go about sharpening the mind, all of which begin with putting down your “smart” phone. Read a book, go to a museum, or study a foreign language. All of these will help strengthen the mental muscle.
Research suggests playing games might be the fastest way for actors to enhance concentration,
Leave a Reply