Forget the Show!

Why are people so fixated on shows? Why does Society beam on it like it is all there is to it? Perhaps, it explains why some people go about perpetually performing in their minds. Yes, they create an imaginary audience and continually perform to their pleasure and amazement. But, Given that, some people have taken to a non-stop performance, what time do they take a break to rehearse?  Do they keep perfecting their act, while performing?  

Every actor or actress worth its salt knows the essence of rehearsals, which is also known as training in some circles. Rehearsals are essential because, it gives you ample time to learn and master your act. It enables the act to become a second nature of the performer. It changes you because you tend to live what you do or been rehearsing on; that is why a civilian is trained to become a part of the military and that fellow lives like a military person all his life, just as our predispositions to an endeavor alters our persona and we become what we spend our time doing most.

When you overly train for an event or a performance, energy and confidence oozes out of your system like water does from a fountain. You are assured by your series of rehearsals, and you know that all other things being equal, you will put up a good performance to warm the heart of your audience and possibly make a date with them in the near future. Depending on your level of performance, you become the talk of the circle you find yourself in and I know most of us like being talked about in a positive way though. 

Apart from certain rehearsal activities that take place in the open air, most rehearsals are held indoors or far away from prying eyes. It takes place far away from those who will not necessarily add anything up at that stage of the process, and in your life as an actor or actress looking forward to a performance. The rehearsal is a necessity for the performance. That thirty minute show of a lifetime you’ve been looking forward to all these years is hinged on your rehearsal; the sum total of you at every given time.

 Rehearsing can be fun, but it’s dependent on so many factors among which are, your levels of commitment, with regards to how much stake you have in the benefits to be derived, should those rehearsal sessions bring some returns and the task involved in the session. A rehearsal session gives you an air of freedom, flexibility, space and time to try your act in so many ways until satisfaction is derived. It allows you to commit all the mistakes there are, just for you to find that one of two ways that works well. That satisfied feeling that makes you declare with conviction that, “I’m ready”.

Conversely, if you know a little about shows or events, then you should concur with me that, shows don’t last. Shows are event, and they come to an end, while rehearsals become a way of life. Even an hour programme takes so many days to organize and that should tell you what goes into events. Go to a military base such as Burma Camp and ask them how many have really fought in a war before. Ask the musicians how many gigs they play in a year or even in their career lifetime. I guess your three hour examinations you write at the end of a three month semester is enough to nullifies the fact that, shows are actually organized and publicized by a group of people who have a stake in the event. For some, shows only happen once in their lifetime and for some, none, while others become regular performers and the rule is simple: all other things held constant, intense rehearsal is equal to more shows, Period!

Now, if the aforesaid hold true, then what it means is, most of us don’t have time-off from our performing acts to even rehearse, and that practically means, we are kind of clowning on stage unawares and the only time we are off-stage is when we make it to bed. How pathetic! Who says people want to sit through a painful three or more hours show anyway? So why then do you think they have not given up on your gimmick yet?

If you have not been performing to an imaginary audience, why then do you always think of what people are thinking of you? Why do you think, you are always being watched? Why do you find it difficult to try new things if you don’t have that feeling of being laughed at by that audience you have created in your mind? 

I have realized in life that, the only way you can be happy about the life you live is, wanting to do something and doing it passionately. Doing something passionately without thinking about people’s opinions about you, especially the negative ones is one of the surest ways you can break from the shackles of society that binds everyone to tow the straight line which renders us tumbling over each other like red ants when they could have expanded their crawl-way.

If you attribute your work or school attitude into your life, you will realize that most of the life you live is a rehearsal session. Only a few part of our time is dedicated to shows where we get to perform. And once you realize that, you will begin to live freely without thinking of what people think of you, you just might walk off-stage where you wouldn’t be compelled to please the audience. You just might be flexible and accept all the ways that comes to you without pressure, with the hindsight that, you are in a rehearsal session and doing what you got to do, because, you are the only one with the big picture. Sometimes people must be prodded and in some cases, motivated, but it still stands out in many cases that only you know your capabilities and abilities. Only you can give approval of yourself.

Forget the show and get off stage. Rehearse/Learn the new trends, maintain the old ones that are worth maintaining or where necessary, fall on your ingenuity to modify them. Feel free, go backstage and build confidence which comes with ease and flair in delivery. You are not under duress to please anyone during rehearsal sessions. You take a break or forfeit rehearsals anytime you want and that’s how life should be. We shouldn’t always feel under the spotlight with audiences seated comfortably in the wings. Do what you have to do, you are the artiste/actor/actress and anything you churn out to your audience would have become the newest style. Just be confident and relaxed in your delivery. Be mindful that good artistes put in a lot of work that guarantees them smooth performances. Everything is accepted during rehearsals and rehearsals, thus readiness, guarantees you a slot on the show so concentrate on your rehearsals and FORGET THE SHOW!