Acting Auditions 101

Lesson 1: VOCAL PREPARATION: MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

Relaxation Applied.

In the previous section we discussed the important tools of practical knowledge and discipline. Without the tool of knowledge, how can you obtain success? Without the tool of discipline, how can you integrate knowledge?

The first area you will apply these two important tools will be in the understanding and discipline of daily relaxation.

What is the purpose of relaxation? Some might say it is to escape the rigors of the day. Others might say it is to prevent a heart-attack. Still others might muse that it is really to contemplate the purpose of life. Whatever the purpose is, utilizing relaxation techniques will work to your advantage in all situations, and especially during an audition. Let me share an example.

During college, my most influential acting coach told of a technique that worked well for her during a challenging role. At the end of one scene she had to run off the stage in a tormented fit, sobbing and distraught. Yet, not seconds later, she was to return to stage as if it were the next day and now completely satiated with life.

Unable to spin on a dime emotionally, she sought help. Help from relaxation, that is. After rehearsal every day, she spent a fair-sized chunk of time practising relaxation techniques lying on the floor of the stage, off in the wings, touching the brick wall with her fingers. Eyes closed, she eventually became lost within the sensation of relaxation.

Over the period of rehearsal weeks, she noticed it took less and less time for her to lose herself in that relaxed state. Eventually, just touching the wall brought that heavy “sandbag” feeling of complete relaxation. By the time the show went off, she successfully moved from a state of deep despair to complete joy in just a matter of seconds – initiated simply by touching the brick wall she had embued with her relaxed state. Her practical knowledge of relaxation techniques, combined with her daily discipline, brought her to success.

Obviously in an audition you will not be able to carry a physical brick wall. But you certainly can carry one mentally by building inner reservoirs of strength. You'll do this by starting simple relaxation techniques today (you will start today, won’t you?).

Here are three simple techniques. They will do much for you. Do them in the order in which they are listed. You may want to tape record the words so that you can give yourself completely to personal moments of relaxation. And remember, as with all physical activities, seek the advice of your physician before beginning.

LET THE RELAXATION BEGIN.

In the yoga world, this first technique is called the Corpse Pose. Somewhat of a ghastly name, but pretty fitting for use on those days when you feel completely wiped out. If there were no other pose in yoga besides this one, it would still be effective! You may choose to have soft music playing in the background.

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(technique one) Begin by lying down on a soft carpet, mat, or pad. Make sure you are not in a drafty location and that you, in fact, feel safe. Align your legs and entire body into a straight line, legs loosely apart, arms close to your side.

Now allow your feet to fall apart from each other and have your hands turned palms up to the sky. Close your eyes and begin to focus on the natural ebb and flow of your breathing. Feel how effortless it is to breath, breathing in and out, in and out. Allow yourself to remain in this position for several minutes listening, focusing on your natural breathing.

(pause for a moment or two before continuing to read)

(technique two) Now that you have opened your body and yourself to relaxation, begin to feel your face soften, almost as if you were made of wax and you were lying on a warm template. Your face begins to soften, including behind your eyes, under your cheekbones, and even your tongue begins to feel heavy. Allow the melting wax feeling to soften the entire chamber of your head and neck. The feeling begins to flow downward, into the ground which opens up receptively.

Your shoulders now begin to soften gradually into the warm, yielding ground below you. Eventually the feeling begins to soften your chest. Your chest begins to feel more and more open to the world around you, which feeling then expands into your torso. The girdle of muscles which holds your inner organs finally feels free to release itself and a strange new feeling of comfort and warmth begins to pervade your body.

This feeling of warmth and comfort spreads now into your upper thighs and all through your legs, passing through your knees and flowing into your calves. Any knots of tension immediately yield to this new warmth spreading throughout your body.

This feeling of comfort and warmth now reach your feet. The muscles release, welcoming the warmth and allowing it to penetrate every part of you. Emotions, tensions, worries all begin to flow, following the pattern of warmth down into the receptive ground. Tears may come. Let them. It is the body’s gentle way of letting go and freeing yourself to feel warmth and peace.

Let it all go, let all the tension be released and flow into the receptive ground below. Enjoy this feeling of freedom and peace. Know that tension and peace are a dance, you cannot know one without the other. Allow peace its time in your life.

You now know how to balance tension with periods of rest and relaxation and you are ready to embrace the peace which will come frequently as you improve all areas of your life.

Enjoy this moment in silence.

(pause for a moment or two before continuing to read)

(technique three) Continue to keep your eyes closed as you rest there. Now allow yourself to focus on the sounds around you. Never have you felt more alive or whole or one with your environment. Your mental acuity is vivid, your senses are aroused. You notice everything, the sounds overhead, the sounds to your side, the sounds even inside your body. You feel everything, the ground beneath you, pressing against you, your clothing pressing upon you, your rhythmic pulse. Your breathing is rhythmic, easy, effortless. Your life is a miracle. You are vibrant and able to capture emotion and share it effectively, cleanly, on stage. You will remember this feeling of mental alertness in your next audition. Life is good as you share.

Allow yourself to become more and more aware of your environment. Eventually you will know when you are ready to move from this state. Your body might begin to feel restless, ready to move. Allow it to do so. When you are ready, roll onto your side and wait for a few moments. (pause)

When you are ready, roll onto your hands and knees and stretch out your back. You are ready to face the day. You can conquer anything.

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In this section we addressed three relaxation techniques which can train your body to employ a relaxed state. Just thinking upon this familiar state (only possible if you are practicing these techniques consistently) will help you achieve the same alert, yet relaxed state during an audition. The adrenaline may be pumping the next time you audition, but I daresay your mental acuity and skills will be much closer to your target of success!

Next up: Chuck Jones' Daily Voice Workout.

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