The Eighth Commandment of Theatre

1. The Eighth Commandment of Theatre Thou Shalt Concentrate Within Thy Circle of Attention

2. Chapter Terms • Circle of attention: A defined area the actor creates around themselves, to which they limit all their onstage awareness; an area encompassing only the given circumstances of the play. • Justification: The moment an actor truly connects with their character and can justify the reactions and choices of that character with truth. • Mugging: The tendency of an actor to face the audience when delivering their lines; the phenomenon that occurs from the actor’s subconscious desire to achieve audience acceptance. • Prop: Any object an actor uses onstage to complete and carry out the action of the scene. • Public solitude: A state an actor enters when their focus is so intense and their circle of attention so small that they begin living the role, consciously unaware of anything outside that circle.

3. Public Solitude • Every actor wants public solitude. • Once you achieve it, you always want it. • No mugging • Circle of Attention. • Loss of Focus • Regaining Focus • Justification • Movement • Use of props

4. The Ninth Commandment of Theatre Thou Shalt Accept Criticism

5. Chapter Terms • Audition: A date at which time the prospective actor show their acting skills to the director and/or casting agent in the hope of being cast for a specific role. • Critic: A qualified theatre expert employed by a media agency responsible for attending a performance and writing their evaluation of that performance and the individual actors involved. • Diva Complex: The negative behavior of one actor towards another when he or she is of the opinion that they are above everyone else, either because of their level of experience or talent. • Review: The written record of a theatre critic’s opinion regarding the quality of the individual performances, as well as that of the overall production. • Venue: The location in which a production takes place.

6. The Audition • Healthy Self-esteem • Being Prepared • Arriving at the venue

7. Let go your EGO • So you got the role…so what? • The Diva complex • The Deadly complex • You and your director

8. The critic • Most critics are honest. • Some critics are Divas too. • What is a review? • Positive reviews… • Keep yourself in check • Negative reviews… • Keep yourself in check

9. The Tenth Commandment of Theatre Thou Shalt Maintain Good Health

10. Chapter Terms • Supplements: Vitamins and/or minerals taken in addition to a balanced diet that aid in conditioning the immune system and preventing illness. • Workout regimen: An exercise routine faithfully followed according to a predetermined schedule.

11. You are NOT allowed to get sick!!

12. Prevention Take care of your most important instrument, your voice!

13. Good Nutrition • Balanced Diet • Vitamins C, E, and A • Never perform hungry!

14. Rest Your Body • 6-8 hours depending on what your body needs. • Take a nap • Exhausted performances… 

15. Exercise • Tuning and toning your instrument.