I am currently sitting on the sofa with the cat snuggled up next to me and the 24 hour Christmas movie channel on the TV. What could be better?
So as 2014 is coming to an end, I figured a new post was necessary.
This year has been full of tears, laughter, unforgettable memories and achievements that have meant so much. I was thinking a couple of days ago how many barriers have come my way this year and I am sure you guys have had setbacks too. These barriers have come in a variety of forms. For example, I took part in a School show back in July and to me, this part was a huge deal (mainly because I hadn't had a titled role in a production for a good few years) and although Performing Arts is one of my greatly loved hobbies, I felt really out of shape when we got in to rehearsals, to the point where the first couple of months when everyone was already being their characters, I was still finding mine. In the theatre, I think that finding your role is a necessary step in achieving the ultimate performance which is why it got me down so much. I literally stressed about it so much because I care so much about what others think of me and I felt like if it came to me having to come of stage and not feeling like I had played my role perfectly then everyone would point out how bad I was. It sounds silly but it happened so I feel the need to share that with all of you. Anyway, the performances went much better than I imagined so I guess there was nothing to stress about. I am completely contradicting myself now, but I still do stress out about things such as this so I can't exactly tell all you performers out there to not go in to meltdown about shows.
This brings me on to my next example and unfortunately for all those who aren't in to the Arts, this point is linked to that so I apologise. When performing, I lose myself. Of course, there is still that element of my personality present, also know as nervousness but once I have loosened up and am part way through a song or a dance, I feel like a changed person (until I leave the stage). This is because I am playing a role and am not being myself, therefore the portion of me that I am revealing to the audience isn't really me and my true everyday self so for me this is a barrier, in terms of it being something I can physically hide behind. Performing Arts opens up a wide range of pathways in terms of individuality and the person you want to become because the other side of a show, the part after the auditions, the rehearsals and the performance is the newly formed you. The you that now feels like you can conquer anything because now you know that if that person judges you, of course you're going to be disheartened but they didn't see the long hours you put in, the emotional rollercoaster you went on to find the role they saw you play or the person you were before the opportunity to even be on that stage came in to your knowledge. All you can do is be you, nothing more and nothing less. Others shouldn't expect any more of you than you expect of yourself. Being yourself 24/7 is difficult due to the opinions others share about you and the strong beliefs you feel you have to uphold (yep, being yourself counts as a barrier), but who cares? If you are anything like the majority of people I have met so far in my life then I am sure that you are a credit to whoever has the pleasure of knowing you. Be yourself, strive for personal success and I can guarantee the rewards will follow.
This year I personally think I have come a long long way in terms of jumping over personal barriers and although I am more than likely going to have to repeat jumping over them, I am sure it won't be anywhere near as challenging as the first time.
Thank you to my gorgeous friends and family for always being at the top of my support pyramid and for lending a hand with removing some of the barriers on the journey.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2014.
Dotty
X
So as 2014 is coming to an end, I figured a new post was necessary.
This year has been full of tears, laughter, unforgettable memories and achievements that have meant so much. I was thinking a couple of days ago how many barriers have come my way this year and I am sure you guys have had setbacks too. These barriers have come in a variety of forms. For example, I took part in a School show back in July and to me, this part was a huge deal (mainly because I hadn't had a titled role in a production for a good few years) and although Performing Arts is one of my greatly loved hobbies, I felt really out of shape when we got in to rehearsals, to the point where the first couple of months when everyone was already being their characters, I was still finding mine. In the theatre, I think that finding your role is a necessary step in achieving the ultimate performance which is why it got me down so much. I literally stressed about it so much because I care so much about what others think of me and I felt like if it came to me having to come of stage and not feeling like I had played my role perfectly then everyone would point out how bad I was. It sounds silly but it happened so I feel the need to share that with all of you. Anyway, the performances went much better than I imagined so I guess there was nothing to stress about. I am completely contradicting myself now, but I still do stress out about things such as this so I can't exactly tell all you performers out there to not go in to meltdown about shows.
This brings me on to my next example and unfortunately for all those who aren't in to the Arts, this point is linked to that so I apologise. When performing, I lose myself. Of course, there is still that element of my personality present, also know as nervousness but once I have loosened up and am part way through a song or a dance, I feel like a changed person (until I leave the stage). This is because I am playing a role and am not being myself, therefore the portion of me that I am revealing to the audience isn't really me and my true everyday self so for me this is a barrier, in terms of it being something I can physically hide behind. Performing Arts opens up a wide range of pathways in terms of individuality and the person you want to become because the other side of a show, the part after the auditions, the rehearsals and the performance is the newly formed you. The you that now feels like you can conquer anything because now you know that if that person judges you, of course you're going to be disheartened but they didn't see the long hours you put in, the emotional rollercoaster you went on to find the role they saw you play or the person you were before the opportunity to even be on that stage came in to your knowledge. All you can do is be you, nothing more and nothing less. Others shouldn't expect any more of you than you expect of yourself. Being yourself 24/7 is difficult due to the opinions others share about you and the strong beliefs you feel you have to uphold (yep, being yourself counts as a barrier), but who cares? If you are anything like the majority of people I have met so far in my life then I am sure that you are a credit to whoever has the pleasure of knowing you. Be yourself, strive for personal success and I can guarantee the rewards will follow.
This year I personally think I have come a long long way in terms of jumping over personal barriers and although I am more than likely going to have to repeat jumping over them, I am sure it won't be anywhere near as challenging as the first time.
Thank you to my gorgeous friends and family for always being at the top of my support pyramid and for lending a hand with removing some of the barriers on the journey.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2014.
Dotty
X
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