If you have ever taken an acting class in school or at an acting academy, then you’ve probably performed various exercises. While these tools are utilized to warm up actors, and break down any fear and social inhibitions within the classroom, they also teach actors valuable lessons and help sharpen their skills.
Just like athletes, actors should never perform without engaging in numerous exercises on a regular basis. The purpose of this is to keep your acting skills sharp and well-defined.
Although certain acting exercises can be strange, or even down-right weird, they are professionally designed to stimulate your mind and call upon your creative forces.
The following exercise, known as “The Focus Workout” allows actors to engage in true mental focus and clarity. This is an excellent acting exercise to perform with friends or with your acting class. Feel free to alter the exercise to fit your individual needs.
Step 1:
Sit in a comfortable position on the floor. Keep your hands by your side, and make sure your back is straight and your legs are crossed in front of you (if possible).
Step 2:
Within your personal belongings, select an item that you have an emotional attachment to – something you like a lot. This could be a necklace, key chain, watch, wallet, chapstick or any other item.
Step 3:
Place this item in front of you on the floor. With your eyes focused on this object, gather your entire mental being and focus on this item. Inhale and exhale slowly as you study, analyze and ponder this item. Do this for one to two minutes.
Step 4:
While you’re staring at an object, you may have other thoughts creep in your mind. Allow these thoughts to stream through your consciousness, but then release them and begin focusing again on the item.
Step 5:
After a few minutes, release your graze from the item. You should feel a world of difference within your focus and anxiety levels.
The goal of this exercise is to reduce anxiety levels, filter out “fluff” thoughts and bring an actor into the here-and-now. This is an excellent exercise to perform before class begins, or before you go on an audition or performance.
