Section 1
IN THIS Section
Explore What YOU Bring to the Communication Process
Who you are as a person, from your life experiences, to your personality, to your passions, all have an important part in how you communicate and think about communication. One of the important aspects of Actor training is learning to observe, reflect, and notice how we bring ourselves into our work.
In this section we will discuss ways that Actors reflect on their own instruments and work, and how doing this self reflective work can help us better serve and support our audiences.
Experiential Practice
Journal Reflections
-
Understanding our own thoughts about ourselves, can help us understand some of the choices we might make, or why we feel the emotions we do around communication. My hope is that as you work through these reflections, you bring a sense of curiosity, care, and observation, instead of judgment.
Feel free to be imaginative with your reflections and consider what medium you might what to explore with or mix it up for a variety of options. Bring a sense of play and curiosity to these journal reflections.
Choose one of the below options or come up with your own
1. Write out your response in a journal form.
2. Draw out your response in either a comic book form mixing text and images, or use visuals only to describe how you feel.
3. Share out loud your responses and record yourself to listen back to.
-
What strengths do you bring to the communication process?
Try to be as specific as possible.
-
What areas are more challenging for you in the communication process?
Again think through it as specifically as possible.
-
When you envision a good communicator, or someone you see as a good communicator, what is it about their work that you like?
-
If you were to draw a picture of your voice, and your experience of using your voice, what would it look like?
-
Reflect on an experience where you felt comfortable and relaxed in your own body. What was it about that experience that allowed you to feel safe?
In contrast, have there been spaces or times that you felt uncomfortable and tense in your body? What factors specific to that situation made your body feel unsafe?
-
Reflect on your background and how it has impacted your views of communication.
Areas to explore: your family communication styles and patterns, the communities you grew up in, your work environments, how you connect and communicate with friends, etc.
As you think through the various communities and people in your life, reflect on the ways you have learned about communication.
Connecting to your Body
Body Scan
Directions: If you are able, find a quiet space to lay down on your back. Another option is to do this while sitting in a chair, or in whatever position you are most comfortable in and able to be present in.
Take the time to listen to the audio and focus on your breathing and the tension in your body. Spend the time to notice, observe, and be present without judgement.
Exploring our Connection to Breath
Directions: Find a comfortable position. If you choose to lay down during this practice, position your body with your legs uncrossed and your arms at your side. Place a small pillow under your knees and under your neck for additional support. If you stay in a seated position try to have your feet on the floor and your arms gently laying on your lap. Sit with your spine elongated, and at ease, with as little tension as possible.
Say Hello to your Body
Directions: If you are able, stand in a comfortable position with your feet underneath your hips. Bring a sense of play and joy to this greeting of our body.
A note about these practices.
Every Body is different. And you know your own body better than anyone, so trust it and do what feels comfortable. If something hurts, please stop and move on to the next section. The mantra to follow: no pain, no pain. The recordings are simply suggestions for you to follow. If you are not able to participate as directed, make adjustments that work with your body. The key practices in these exercises are to notice, observe, and connect to your body. There are many ways to do this.