Page 357 - SpringBoard_ELA_Grade8_Flipbook

aCTIVITy 4.17
Facing the Challenge of performance
my Notes
Harness this nervous energy and make it work for you! One way we harness this nervous energy is to move around. Your character will at some point
move and gesture. Use the times when your character can move and react as opportunities to dissipate your nervous energy.
A – Acknowledge Your Fears
It is said that fear is here to protect us, not paralyze us. Don’t run away from being afraid. Acknowledge it as being part of you ... use it to identify the possible pitfalls, then work to think about how you can avoid the pitfalls or how you can adjust or adapt if something goes wrong during your performance.
R – Relax ... breathe!
Take deep breaths and regulate your breathing. Let the breathing regulate
and calm your heart rate. Practice breathing when you rehearse.
B – Believe in Yourself
Know that your performance has the potential for being a powerful and memorable moment in your life. You will feel a huge sense of accomplishment and pride when you successfully perform your scene. Be knowledgeable about your part and prepared with your lines, and you will be ready to execute with confidence.
U – Understand the Audience
Understand that the audience is here to see you succeed. They know how it feels to perform, and they’re not here to sabotage you, or poke fun at you ... they’re here to learn from you, to laugh, and to be entertained.
S – Smile!
Changing one’s physiology can impact one’s mental state.
Before your performance, when your character allows, and immediately afterwards—smile. Soon enough, your body will tell your brain that you’re happy ... and before you know it, any fear you have will melt away.
T – Talk to Yourself
Many people will begin telling themselves various reasons why they will not be able to perform well. Counter that.
Tell yourself that you will be able to do a good job and remind yourself of the reasons why you can (“I am prepared.” “I will have fun.” “I know my peers will laugh when ... ”).
E – Enjoy yourself
Get out on the stage and seek to have fun!
R – Rejoice!
Many people begin visualizing their worst case scenario as they ready themselves to perform.
Visualize yourself victorious at the end of the performance. Think of the amount of effort you will have put into preparing and think about the smiles and laughter which you will create and the skills and concepts you will have practiced and mastered.
330 SpringBoard® English Language Arts Grade 8
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