Acting Journal 2: 1/22/2015

 Acting Journal 2: 1/22/2015

Reflection on Introduction to “Alexander technique”

First of all. I had a blast! Before even getting to school this morning, I was psyched for my first ‘real’ acting class today. I got up before the alarm, in fact at 7:30 I kinda just “snapped” awake super excited like “GOTTA GET UP TO DO AWESOME!” After doing some vocal training on youtube/ basic exercise (100 free squats 15 hindu pushups, and some “wall walking” and stretches I went to class.

Was running a tad late, so I skipped breakfast and went straight in. As we started our warmups on the mat, I was NOT surprised when the firste element of “alexander technique” was deep breathing exercises. After all I’ve spent 10 years studying martial arts, it just kinda makes sense to start there, at this point. The deep breathing exercises were familiar (breath in more than you think you can, then exhale in a relaxed often yawning manner). Which helped. With how much breath control training I’ve had in the past, I really got super-relaxed during that part.

We then did some breathing/clenching exercises that accentuated the shoulder’s/fists. I’ve heard in the past that tensing then releasing a muscle group is a way to relax it. This seemed to do just that.

We did some basic vocal warmups. I rather enjoyed them. Apparently vowels determine vocal quality, and consonants are needed to MAKE words. Don noted that I have a tendancy to constrict my throat when speaking, and explained I should have a open airway and that I should try to talk with my entire face moving to the sound. Gonna work on that. I figured since, that my tendancy to do so, is partially because tightening my throat, reduces the inner diameter of the throat, which increases the air inside’s “flow rate” (thanks hydraulics 101 with professor blickewedhel”) I’m under the assumption that my instinct to DO that comes from the fact that I very, very much desire(d) to be heard over the other students…. I am a bit of a show off. My idea to counter is twofold. On the technical end, I do need to be mindful of when I am constricting my throat, and learn to let it be relaxed instead. On the personal end, I need to acclimatize myself to the idea that:

A.  People do in fact WANT to hear me. I don’t need to talk over them, or “force” them to listen

B.  I will be more successful in being “heard” if I listen/respond/resonate, than if I try to “overpower” my audience.

C. Emotional resonation, is actually a strong suit of mine. It should be my preferred option to begin with.

During the name/gesture group energy round (by the way. ANIMO!) I noted that it was a lot of fun, and there was a TON of creativity in the room. Upon leaving I really just wanted MORE. In fact, I said that so we started on the Shakespeare “battle on st crispin’s day bit.”

Again, I constricted my voice in an effort to be “heard” and “louder” which were not the intents of the exercise. On the plus hand, I did get the dialogue well, and rather enjoyed it.

After class, I chatted with Kaitlyn, and a classmate from the course during lunch about it. My classmate mentioned he stuggled with projecting, so Kaitlyn and I suggested he practice by:

A.  Reading out loud. Often

B.  Practicing the alexander technique exercises daily

C. Tell stories in “group settings” Even boring ones

We also did a “free-form” improve RP session to put his storytelling to work. Was a ton of fun.

On my end, Kaitlyn noted that I’m not QUITE on key when it comes to singing. (in my defense, I’ve NEVER been trained musically PROPERLLY and my local congregation put in a TON of super bad habits.

She and my classmate recommended that I:

A.  Find a youtube video where they INTENTIONALLY change keys

B.  Listen, and replicate the key change

C. Do a different piece in the ONE and ONLY key right.

D. Rinse lather repeat, till I learned how to sing in key.

I’m feeling really pumped here…. Like I can finally get good at things that I have wanted to get good at all my life.