#IPC2015
Wow.
THE event of the year for some of us. If that confuses you, go away and come back tomorrow, I’ve got some competition addicts to chat with today.
So. How are you all feeling?
I’m feeling a little bit weird. As usual.
I’m reminded of a time from my past. For a very long time I was a “theatre geek.” For 33 years, to be exact. I first donned stage makeup at the age of 17 and never looked back. I went through phases, though. Sometimes I was on stage. Sometimes I worked behind the scenes. I built sets, made props, sewed costumes, curled hair, designed posters, directed shows, set lights and finally landed in my niche as a stage performance photographer.
But for every position I held, every job I did, there was that moment.
At the end of the performance, when the final word has been uttered, the final note has been sung, the final tear has been shed.
That moment.
When you hold.
Your breath. Your gaze. Your position. Your expression. Your pose. Your everything.
While. the. curtain. slowly. comes. down.
And then a pause. And then a whoosh. Of breath. Of body.
And your stage self goes away and your actor self returns.
And it’s that moment. That one right there. That just happened.
“And Scene, ” we say.
It’s over.
And then the truth of your performance hits you.
You know if you did well, if you flubbed your lines, if you did that quick costume change as quickly as you needed to. If you remembered to go into chest voice during the emotional part of the song. If you screwed up. Royally. Or just a tiny bit. You know if you were the best actor you could be.
You know.
And then you decide.
Whether you’re going to let it kick you in the teeth and you need to find a corner to cry into…. or if you’re going to suck it up and nail it to the floor when the curtain comes up again tomorrow night.
Yeah, that’s kind of how I’m feeling. Or rather, that’s where I’m at.
If that’s where you’re at – let me say this…
If you’re feeling discouraged – If you’re feeling disappointed – Or maybe even a little bit frustrated…
That’s pretty normal. And I’m not going to tell you that you shouldn’t be. I can’t dictate your feelings, so if you’re feeling them – that’s ok.
But don’t dwell on them and let them grab hold of the negativity that can halt your progress on your journey.
Try and channel your energy into determination and grit to hit this thing head on next time.
And try to keep it a little in perspective.
It was one performance. On one day. In front of one audience.
I know you have it in you to move the audience to its feet in standing ovation.
Let’s do this.