I like to find out
what my clients do
that is so easy
they don't even
think about it,
and help them
transfer those
innate skills into
their other work
areas. In the case
of the triple
threat, there is
usually one mode
of communication
that is deeper,
more unconscious
than the others.
So I will switch
my coaching
language to fit
that mode.
Say your first
language is dance
- I might choose
to describe my
technical
instructions in
terms of movement,
physical energy or
the use of
muscles. Supposing
your easiest mode
is acting. You
might understand
my vocal technique
suggestions if you
heard them couched
in terms of
characterisation,
emotions,
descriptive
keywords or plot
devices. And if
singing is your
first, most
fundamental
language, I might
choose to describe
technical singing
or acting
instructions as
phrase shapes,
color or rhythm.
When you
realise which is
your own main
language, it
becomes easier to
understand what
other people mean,
what they actually
want from you. The
ability to
translate a
director's
instructions into
your own
"language" can
help you to
understand the
instructions on a
deep level. And
that will produce
a much more
authentic
performance.
You're happy
because you
successfully
understood the
director's
instructions, and
the director's
happy because you
did what he asked
you to do, and you
knew what he was
talking about. And
if the director
thinks you
understand him and
where he's coming
from (and assuming
you can actually
do what he wants),
he's much more
likely to hire
you.
There is a
danger with the
triple threat
performer that
they can become
overloaded with
classes or
instructions,
simply because all
three disciplines
require focus,
practice and
attention. Once
you know what your
main strength is,
not only will you
ease up on
yourself in that
area, you'll be
able to apply the
skills and
strengths of that
area in the other,
more challenging
areas. My early
training was
exclusively as a
musician, and
music is my first
language. But I've
been able to
transfer my
musical
disciplines and
skills into
understanding and
working with
actors and
dancers, and I now
work with a wide
variety of theatre
performers and
recording artists.
It's human
nature to dismiss
something that
we're REALLY good
at, precisely
BECAUSE we're
naturally good at
it. It's when you
see other people
unable to do
something that you
can do, and it
really puzzles
you. "But that's
so easy" you might
say. "Anyone could
do that". But
anyone can't - you
have a special
resonance that
makes that thing
feel incredibly
easy to do. The
more you do that
is second nature
to you, the more
you "resonate"
with your own
talents, gifts and
physicality. And
when you
"resonate" well,
people are
naturally
attracted to you.
How cool is that?
When you
realise that
people really want
you to do the
thing you do best,
and that you will
get paid for it,
life can be a lot
more fun. My
belief is that we
are here to do
what we do well.
And applying what
we do well to
other areas of our
life can make the
difference between
a hard life and a
happy life.
So what's your
main strength?
