Succeeding in the Performing Arts

Introduction

December 21, 2007

Ken-at-Bose

Hi Folks,

For the past few years, we've had discussions amongst the moderators and others about the idea of collecting our experiences in the performing arts (mostly live music) into some short essays that might help to disseminate the knowledge.

The time has come to begin this effort.

Each "lesson learned" will be a new thread, whose title will begin with "Succeeding in the Performing Arts" followed by a colon and few words about the topic.

We are completely comfortable, in fact we are hoping, that members of this community will start threads. If you do so, please use the format just given so that others will quickly know it is part of the series.

The threads are "open", meaning anyone from the community can reply and comment on the thread. We really encourage you to do this. This is an unbelievably strong community with an astonishing amount of experience in the performing arts. Let's put it to good use, okay?

Please try to stick the topic at hand. If you find yourself straying, perhaps that is an indication that you need to start another thread.

Eventually, we are hoping to copy the information over to the L1 Wiki.

We very much look forward to your participation.

Will you help us do this?

Ken Jacob
Director, Advanced Development
Bose Professional Systems

Physical Preparation

Hydration

Ken-at-Bose

The stage is a very de-hydrating environment.

We recommend that you keep hydrated all day before a performance.

Avoid sudden hydrating before the show unless you have breaks planned accordingly.

When we are dehydrated we are not at our best -- a fact proven in many studies. It is also not good for general heath.

If you must sip from plastic water bottles of water on stage do so discretely, for example during the initial applause after a song. Sipping from a bottle when the audience's full attention is on you -- for example when you are talking between tunes to them -- is often awkward for the audience.

The Green Room

Ken-at-Bose

The Green Room; A green room is a room in a theater, studio, or other public venue for the accommodation of performers or speakers when not required on the stage. -- Wikipedia Green Room

Here's a link to the full Wikipedia entry for Green Room which contains a fascinating discussion of the mysterious roots of the term.

We think performing artists need and deserve "a place of their own". In many venues this place must be improvised but we feel it is essential nevertheless.

Many times, the venue operators will say "oh, we don't have a dressing room". But often times, if you quietly scope the venue you can find a quiet place not far from the stage that if you ask can be used as a private place.

Scouting the Venue

Ken-at-Bose

Whenever possible, I try to scout a venue before the day of show. I've seen so many train wrecks because problems are discovered without enough time to deal with them.

A stressed out artist is unlikely to perform his or her best.

Scouting allows you to meet the people with whom you'll be working. It allows you to do obvious things like scope out the stage and the AC power. To look at the lighting.

And it allows you to get the gestalt of the place. As an artist, you can begin to think about what things you might do in the performance to take advantage of the venue.

If you can not scout the venue in person, scout it on the phone. If you're the organized type, use a list of questions to be sure you get as much valuable information as possible. If the venue has a website, scout that, but we feel this is not a substitute for a live conversation with someone who works at the venue.

If you know other artists that have played the venue, ask them about it.

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