Waiting in the Wings
By Richard Hahlo, trainer and co-founder of Dramatic Resources
Nervous anticipation, surges of adrenaline, your lines echoing in your head... welcome to the wings, the offstage area where actors wait before they go on stage. From backstage, trainer and DR co-founder Richard Hahlo offers practical advice for business leaders navigating moments “in the spotlight”.
It’s 7.25 in the evening, and I stand in the wings offstage listening to the audience’s chatter. I jog on the spot to keep loose, breathe deeply to disperse adrenaline and make an exaggerated chewing action to keep my tongue and mouth flexible. Suddenly, the lights go down in the auditorium and the spotlight shines on-stage. The big moment has arrived. By 10pm, the show is over. I bow, the audience applauds, and I retreat offstage, breathing a sigh of relief that it’s over… until the next performance.
As an actor, you always know when you are onstage or offstage. But in the world of work, the line isn’t so clear. In Dramatic Resources workshops, we have asked countless business leaders "when are you in the spotlight?” The answer comes back in different ways, but it ultimately boils down to the same conclusion: Always. You are onstage from the moment you walk into your workplace to the moment you leave, or as soon as you switch your microphone and camera on for the next meeting.
Unlike the actor standing in the wings, most people have not had the advantage of an intensive rehearsal period to prepare for this performance. But like an actor, the professional puts on a costume to play their role in the theatre of business. Every day is a challenging improvisation as they deal with the many communication issues of the working environment. At Dramatic Resources, we bring our expertise from the world of theatre into businesses. Here are three secret tips to help you prepare for moments in the spotlight.
Authenticity
The famed actor and acting teacher, Sanford Meisner, said it best: “Acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances.” The raw material for your performance is not a script – it's yourself. People often think of acting as putting on something external; popular phrases such as “acting up” and “acting the fool” suggest something fabricated and false, but all good acting (like all good communication) is rooted in authenticity. The one key requirement for successful communication is the ability to be yourself under pressure, and to perform that role with skill. A useful starting point is to mine your own experiences, examples and stories. This will help to communicate your values and passion.
Nerves
There is a common misconception that actors and performers eventually stop feeling nervous. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Nerves are a natural part of stepping into the spotlight – in fact, that rush of adrenaline can be your friend. Use those nerves to focus your attention and breathe deeply to mix the adrenaline with oxygen. Where possible, walk or move around in order to keep your body active.
Rehearsal
After 20 years of working with business leaders, and even longer in the theatre, I can safely say that our ability to perform under pressure is directly connected to the quality of our preparation. In a word: Rehearsal. Rehearse out loud in front of a mirror, or, if possible, in front of a trusted colleague or friend. Expressing the words aloud with your mouth and body is very different from just thinking through what you’re going to say.
In the theatre, actors rely on feedback from their director – what works, and what doesn’t. Communication skills coaching is a powerful tool for finding your own style and fine-tuning your delivery for maximum impact. That's where DR trainers come in! Remember, when you watch an incredible monologue on the stage, the actor has been rehearsing for many hours over many weeks. Knowing how to rehearse effectively is the key to successful communication. You can get in touch with us here to learn more about working with our actor-trainers.
Next time you’re “waiting in the wings” before stepping up to speak, try this:
If possible, stand up and move about or sit away from the back of your chair with an upright spine and good posture.
Visualise a string from the top of your head, pulling you upwards.
Establish a stable foundation, whether by planting your feet flat on the floor or finding a comfortable, grounded position that works for you.
Quietly and slowly breathe out a few times, letting the air come back in naturally between each out-breath. Deep breathing reduces cortisol, allowing the brain to signal that the body is not in immediate danger. Slow breaths also activate the Parasympathetic Nervous System (or “rest and digest” system).
Those adrenaline-soaked moments before performing are always going to be challenging. But remember: if all the world’s a stage, then don’t forget the wings.