[Perform-talk] Physical aspects of performing?

Mon May 18 04:09:20 UTC 2015

I wish I could attend the convention -- unfortunately, money is tight 
this year!  I wish there was a recording of the presentation. Did anyone 
record it, by any chance?

On 5/17/2015 11:56 PM, Jordy Stringer via Perform-talk wrote:
> Yes, you are correct. This was a seminar presented during the 2014 NFB convention. If there is still interest, I'd be happy to facilitate a short seminar this year as well. Individuals who might be interested feel free to respond to this email, or contact me off list at
> jordystringer83 at gmail.com
>
> Additionally, performers upon request will receive feedback during the talent competition this year as well.
>
> Jordy D. Stringer, president, performing arts division, national Federation of the blind
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On May 17, 2015, at 10:32 PM, Dennis via Perform-talk <perform-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> I think this was a Performing Arts workshop at one of the conventions, but we should do another one.  This is an inportant topic.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Dennis R. Sumlin, Coach, Teacher, Speaker.
>> Communication for the self
>> WWW.LifeThroughStrenth.com
>>
>> Sargent at Arms.
>> Harlem Toastmasters Club
>>
>> Starting a new website? Want your own domain? Siber Name can help! Get your dream name and hosting for dream prices.
>> -----Original Message----- From: Julie McGinnity via Perform-talk
>> Sent: Sunday, May 17, 2015 10:22 PM
>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>> Cc: Julie McGinnity
>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Physical aspects of performing?
>>
>> The trouble is that sighted people imitate the body language of the
>> other person.  It's how they (sighted people) make each other feel
>> comfortable in a conversation.
>>
>> Reading a book on body language might be interesting.  I try to make
>> eye contact as I can, be assertive and clear with my body language,
>> and use my facial expressions.
>>
>> The trap you mentioned is the one I have been stuck in for several
>> years.  You know you need to move, gesture, etc, but you're not quite
>> sure how/when/where/why...  :)  I would recommend avoiding ensnaring
>> yourself even further in this trap.  Being frozen but wanting to move
>> is one of the worst feelings, and it shows.
>>
>> Even sighted people are told that their motions look wrong or silly or
>> need to be modified.  You should be treated no differently.  This is
>> why I recommend asking someone you love who is honest to work with you
>> first.  This way you can take the criticism of others as it comes and
>> evaluate it on your own perceptions of yourself.  It will take some
>> practice, but you may end up being more self aware than your sighted
>> counterparts.
>>
>>
>>> On 5/17/15, Dennis via Perform-talk <perform-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Yes.  Your body is part of a speech.  I am working it out as I go along. I
>>>
>>> am doing pretty well.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Dennis R. Sumlin, Coach, Teacher, Speaker.
>>> Communication for the self
>>> WWW.LifeThroughStrenth.com
>>>
>>> Sargent at Arms.
>>> Harlem Toastmasters Club
>>>
>>> Starting a new website? Want your own domain? Siber Name can help! Get your
>>>
>>> dream name and hosting for dream prices.
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Masha Sten-Clanton via Perform-talk
>>> Sent: Sunday, May 17, 2015 12:03 PM
>>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>>> Cc: Masha Sten-Clanton
>>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Physical aspects of performing?
>>>
>>> When I was in Toastmasters, a lot of emphasis was placed on gestures.
>>> Since I knew how important they are but didn't know what gestures would
>>> be appropriate, it just made me more self-conscious about my speaking! I
>>> wonder whether it would be useful to read books on body language and try
>>> to incorporate their suggestions?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> On 5/17/2015 5:15 AM, Dennis via Perform-talk wrote:
>>>> Julie.
>>>> This was great advice.  As a public speaker, I have been facing some of
>>>> the same chalenges.  I am working on it, and this is a help.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Dennis R. Sumlin, Coach, Teacher, Speaker.
>>>> Communication for the self
>>>> WWW.LifeThroughStrenth.com
>>>>
>>>> Sargent at Arms.
>>>> Harlem Toastmasters Club
>>>>
>>>> Starting a new website? Want your own domain? Siber Name can help! Get
>>>> your dream name and hosting for dream prices.
>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Julie McGinnity via Perform-talk
>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2015 9:20 PM
>>>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>>>> Cc: Julie McGinnity
>>>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Physical aspects of performing?
>>>>
>>>> Hi Masha,
>>>>
>>>> This sounds really exciting!  I am going to write a bit about what
>>>> I've learned over the years about gesturing, movement, and physical
>>>> appearance as a blind singer.  I have been performing since I was
>>>> about 11 years old in musicals, operas, in choirs, and as a soloist
>>>> both at my church and as a part of my degree programs.  I got an
>>>> undergraduate degree in vocal performance and am now working on my
>>>> masters in the same.  None of this is to brag...  But so that you
>>>> understand that I have been pondering and living with this topic for a
>>>> long time.  I have heard lots of bad advice, have worked with teachers
>>>> who have no idea how to get a blind person moving on stage, and have
>>>> been through periods of time during which I was tricked into believing
>>>> different things about my capabilities in terms of moving on stage.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 1. You have the same expectations as the other singers.
>>>>
>>>> This means that even if you don't move as much as they do, you need to
>>>> look comfortable in your own skin, mean the movements you choose to
>>>> do, and internalize the music.  If you are graded on physical
>>>> appearance and movement, then find what works for you and what looks
>>>> natural on you.  No less will be (or should be) expected of you
>>>> because you are blind.  If you choose to get a good repor going with
>>>> the band, then that is a great place to start.  And that leads me to:
>>>>
>>>> 2. You are your own unique person; do not try to be anything else.
>>>>
>>>> I once had a coach who would try to get me to make certain facial
>>>> expressions.  She would attempt to force me into schooling my face
>>>> into certain configurations so that it looked "normal."  Now let me
>>>> tell you that I do not have an abnormal looking face, but my
>>>> expressions are rather unique.  Most tell mme that this is good
>>>> because I have a noticeable smile and very expressive faces.  :)  My
>>>> point is that you should love being the unique person you are.  Feel
>>>> natural in your own skin.  If the music moves you, and your face shows
>>>> that, then it will come through to the audience.
>>>>
>>>> So here are some things you can do to work on learning what feels
>>>> natural and how to work those things in your performances.  Since we
>>>> cannot simply watch videos of other performers or look in the mirror,
>>>> we need to feel these things from the inside.  What kinds of gestures
>>>> and expressions do you use in your everyday life?  Begin to focus on
>>>> those things.  You can also get some honest friends (Be sure they are
>>>> honest).  They can tell you what their perception of you is from a
>>>> visual perspective.  Remember to take all opinions with a grain of
>>>> salt.  Never ever do a gesture that feels uncomfortable or forced.
>>>> That is the best way to look awkward.
>>>>
>>>> If you have any other questions feel free to email me off list.  I am
>>>> still learning about these things, but the more we discuss this the
>>>> more we can learn from each other.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On 5/16/15, Rob Kaiser via Perform-talk <perform-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>> I, when I'm singing in a choir, I make sure that the person next to me
>>>>> makes
>>>>>
>>>>> sure I'm facing the conductor.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Rob Kaiser
>>>>> email;
>>>>> rcubfank at sbcglobal.net
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Marissa Tejeda via Perform-talk
>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2015 4:31 PM
>>>>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>>>>> Cc: Marissa Tejeda
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Perform-talk] Physical aspects of performing?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>
>>>>> I go to the California School for the Blind.  When I sing in Glee
>>>>> Club, and on stage, as I did on Wednesday and Thursday in a
>>>>> Spring concert, I stand straight with my hands at my sides.  I
>>>>> face the audience and sing.  Occationally, I may sway slightly,
>>>>> if I'm feeling the music.
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: Masha Sten-Clanton via Perform-talk
>>>>> <perform-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> To: Performing Arts Division list <perform-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Date sent: Sat, 16 May 2015 18:54:17 -0400
>>>>> Subject: [Perform-talk] Physical aspects of performing?
>>>>>
>>>>> Here in New England there's a weekly show, Community Auditions,
>>>>> which is
>>>>> a televised singing competition.  The contestants are usually
>>>>> accompanied
>>>>> by a band while they sing.  After each performance, three judges
>>>>> give the
>>>>> contestant feedback, along with a rating from 1 to 10.
>>>>>
>>>>> Since I'd like to audition for the show, I've been paying
>>>>> particular
>>>>> attention to the judges' comments.  A lot of them have to do with
>>>>> how the
>>>>> contestants come across visually.  Besides their vocal technique,
>>>>> contestants are praised or criticized on their enthusiasm, how
>>>>> they
>>>>> move, and how they interact with the band.
>>>>>
>>>>> As a totally blind person, I was constantly warned to be careful
>>>>> of
>>>>> untoward movements.  I'd like to know from blind singers: How did
>>>>> you
>>>>> learn to look, and feel, comfortable with your body onstage? How
>>>>> do you
>>>>> stand in a position that looks natural? What do you do with your
>>>>> hands
>>>>> (if you're not playing an instrument)? How do you build movement
>>>>> into
>>>>> your performance? (In high school I wwas criticized for not
>>>>> incorporating hand gestures into a song.) And how do you interact
>>>>> with a
>>>>> band while performing? (I'm presuming that the only way would be
>>>>> to
>>>>> rehearse with them, and establish rapport, beforehand, so that
>>>>> hopefully
>>>>> that rapport will be apparent to the audience.)
>>>>>
>>>>> I think there was a panel at the national convention about this
>>>>> topic
>>>>> last year, but I was unable to attend the convention.  Is there a
>>>>> recording of it somewhere?
>>>>>
>>>>> Any advice would be greatly appreciated -- I'd really like to try
>>>>> out
>>>>> for this show!
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>
>>>>> Masha
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Perform-talk mailing list
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>>>>> for Perform-talk:
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>>>>> t789%40gmail.com
>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>
>>
>> --
>> Julie McGinnity
>> National Federation of the Blind of Missouri second vice president,
>> National Federation of the Blind performing arts division secretary,
>> Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President
>> graduate, Guiding Eyes for the Blind 2008, 2014
>> "For we walk by faith, not by sight"
>> 2 Cor. 7
>>
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