Meditation: Headspace, Breathe Length: 3 minutes Where: Home Office/Guest Room, Los Angeles How It Felt: Centering
Yesterday I had a audition I was crazy excited about! It was over Skype, as so many auditions are in this crazy pandemic world, which can actually be more anxiety inducing somehow.
Usually, you get up, get ready, drive to the location, spend a few minutes getting settled and signed in- you don’t really have too much time to sit and worry about what’s next. Auditioning from home is tricky! You have to worry about the tech stuff, the setup, things that you don’t normally have to fuss about. In the best situations, you can stay focused on your performance and that’s it.
Now, of course, you also don’t have to fight traffic on your way or try to keep a sudden rainfall from ruining your hair. You don’t have to try to make or avoid small talk in the waiting room. You don’t even have to wear pants! So, there are pros and cons.
One solid acting trick to is take nerves and treat them like excitement. The feelings are so close to each other it’s hard to tell them apart! Nerves can throw you off, though, or put you in your head. Excitement just gives you an energy boost, if you can get all your butterflies flying in formation.
I’ve known many actors who meditate before an audition, usually arriving early and sitting in their cars. I decided to try it for myself at home to calm myself and focus my energy.
I didn’t have a lot of time, so I chose an easy three minute session from Headspace that just lets you focus on long, deep breaths. It worked so well! I was completely centered and ready by the time the casting director called, and I didn’t get in my head once!
I think meditating the morning of an audition or right before I start will be a new habit I’ll keep. Any tool that lets you give your best performance is one worth keeping!
Have I mentioned (over and over) how excited I am to get back to work?? Yay!!
My Year of Meditation 