Hi Bonnie,
Great “Shiny New Thing” article and subject as keeping things “fresh” can be a challenge when you’re working the grind.
In reply to your call to action, here is a bit of what has worked for me over the years.
When I was starting out as an actor in Florida I did lot of theatre. It was where I learned my craft and for the better part of eight years I performed eight shows a week.
One of those shows was a regional production of the Off-Broadway hit Grandma Sylvia’s Funeral. While most shows I did ran for a few weeks I worked on this one for almost a year.
Eight shows a week, times ten months out of the year, and you get the picture.
Also, for the past nine years I’ve been performing in an interactive murder mystery show pretty much every week.
Nine years, times one show a week, times fifty-two weeks a year, and, well, you get the picture.
I know what you must be thinking, but believe it or not, I never once got bored with either job.
Why?
There are two simple ingredients to my secret of keeping that “shiny new thing” perspective. They are:
- I love performing. I’m not joking when I say I could live on set or in a theatre. My soul feels complete whether I’m in rehearsal, on set, or on stage. I love being in the sandbox.
- I just focus on the moment. Each show is different because each interaction is different. Each audience is different. Each MOMENT is different. Focusing on one line at a time, one scene at a time, one shot at a time will always keep things fresh.
And that’s it.
Love what you do and focus on being in the moment.
It’s worked for me and I hope it’ll work for all your readers.
Cheers,
Robert Keniston
Robert, as always, it’s a delight to hear from you. Your perspective is always just so yummy. I love this and agree wholeheartedly on its power. And, heck, the proof is in the numbers. That’s a lot of “same same same” in your life, from some points-of-view. Luckily, not from yours.
And THAT is what keeps it fresh and fun for you and your audience(s). I love it. Thank you for sharing!
Bonnie Gillespie is living her dreams by helping others figure out how to live theirs. Wanna work with Bon? Start here. Thanks!
Originally published by Actors Access at http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice/archives/001782.html. Please support the many wonderful resources provided by the Breakdown Services family. This posting is the author’s personal archive.