My working style is very interactive and participatory: discussions, questions, and explanations; ‘mental’ exercises to understand the disciplines required; ‘physical’ exercises dealing with body-language and self-conscious behaviour; and ‘vocal’ exercises to help ensure positive vocal impact.

Content

The following are the seven key areas I will work on to help you develop a further level of professionalism; by 1. fully understanding, 2. being able to apply, and 3. by combining these principles and techniques, the performer then starts to develop levels of ‘Impact’, ‘Presence’, and ‘Charisma’.

• Material/Message: Give due consideration to the Purpose, Content and Structure of your material. This, more than any other single factor, helps to develop essential levels of ‘inner-confidence’.

• Rehearsal: Actors would never dream of going on stage without rehearsal. The more you put in, the more you get out. People rehearse until they get it right, professionals rehearse until they can’t get it wrong.

• Understand The Ideal Performing State; The ideal when we are performing is that we are not thinking of ourselves, ensuring we are not exhibiting self-conscious behaviour. We must be self-aware, not self-conscious.

• Understand the ‘Responsibility’ of the performer. It is vital you understand the ‘relationship’ between performer and audience, and the ‘responsibility’ you have to yourself when performing.

• Understand and be able to apply the three Professional Performing Techniques;
1. Process of Explanation;
2. Process of Speaking in a Major Key;
3. Process of Externalising Emotion.

• The 4 ‘means of expression’ we use when we communicate with others are; the words we use, the voice we use, facial expression, and body-language. For true communication to take place, all four of these ‘means’ must give off the same message. The only way to achieve this is by speaking your ‘truth’.

• Vital First Thirty Seconds. Understand the need to create positive impact in the first 30 seconds. Understand what is happening to your audience during this initial appraisal, and understand what you need to do to immediately appear at ease, confident, and in control.

Each of the above elements possesses both an internal and an external aspect. You need both, otherwise it’s like being courteous without caring.

• Internal skills are to do with heart and mind, thoughts and feelings – a total understanding of each element.

• External skills are the behaviours that reflect the inner aspect.

Presence and Charisma

Presence and charisma have been described as; ‘having the ability to connect authentically with the thoughts and feelings of others.’

These are not God-given gifts – certain personalities and performers are not born with these talents – they are a set of skills, both internal and external, that you can develop and improve.

The way you ‘arrive’, the way you connect, the way you speak, the way you listen, the way you act – in fact every move you make combine to create the impact you have.

Presence and charisma come from within. It begins with an inner state, which leads to a series of external behaviours. You can put on the behaviours, but by themselves they’ll lack something essential.

Most of us don’t want to be the centre of attention at all times, but when we join a group or enter a room, we want our arrival acknowledged. When we speak we want others to listen. When we offer an opinion we want it treated with respect. We want to be taken seriously and we want our existence to have weight and substance for others.

We all want presence and charisma because no-one wants to be ignored. Professional actors work diligently and successfully to develop presence – their livelihood depends on their ability to excite us when they step on stage. By fully understanding, by applying, and by combining the previous 7 professional performing elements, an understanding of the nature of Presence and Charisma becomes clearer as you explore and utilise the following:

• Being in the moment. This translates as being totally focused and concentrated on the task in hand, being alert and energised, being aware of everything around you, knowing you can’t get it wrong, being self-aware not self-conscious, and being flexible enough to cope with the unexpected.

• Reaching out to your audience. The audience should never struggle to come to you. You should give out to them. This translates as having the ability to create empathetic relationships through truthful communication. Your focus is totally on your audience, not yourself.

• Openness. Having the ability to express feelings and emotions, and having a passionate purpose. Having the confidence to allow your audience to know what you’re thinking and feeling at all times. Showing through your behaviour and demeanour you are not fearful when performing.

• Acceptance. Having the ability to accept yourself, your truth, and your values, and to reflect these values through your decisions and actions.