The Pre-Performance Routine That Saved My Audition
The last time I took an audition, I prepared thoughtfully, recorded myself a lot, and learned about centering and mental focus. The day of, however, I under-performed. This time around, I spent even more time working on my mental game. Here are a few of the key resources I turned to.
One crucial aspect of a strong mental performance that came up in all three was developing a Pre-Performance Routine or a Pre-Shot Routine. A pre-performance routine is the idea of having a moment of simple optimal mental programming that is consistent. While I had specific ideas for how I wanted to approach each excerpt previously, I did not have a thought-out and consistent plan for my thoughts and actions. As a result, my mind ran wild with all the ideas I’ve collected from lessons, master classes, and practice sessions over the years.
As Jolene Harju shared, “Was this helpful? In the practice room, yes. On stage during an audition, definitely not. Instead, I followed the guidelines and advice from each of the three resources and came up with my own:
- Breathe in for 6, Out for 8
- Feet, Peripheral Vision
- Hear it First
- Move, Take the Leap
In the moment, it became easy to sweep through these ideas, and I could efficiently clear my head and come to a place that felt grounded and confident.”
The Centering Breath was a part of my last audition preparation, but my mistake the first time around was way over-thinking it. I ended up adding tension as a result. This time, I kept it simple and adapted the easy instructions from 10-Minute Toughness: a 15-second breath, counting 6 in, holding for 2, and out for 7. Focusing on counting alone means less room for mental chatter and it prevented the issue of overthinking a good breath.
According to 10-MT, a 15-second breath is also long enough to slow the heart rate. While exhaling, I let go of tension in my abdomen and lower back. This was a far more simple letting go process than my previous one, where I tried to cram in a full body scan and get every muscle to be free and every bone perfectly positioned. While a full body scan is useful, the day of an audition, while laying on the floor trying to do this in the moment before beginning each excerpt, is far too overwhelming. The simpler answer is remembering to move as a whole.
In 10-Minute Toughness, this concise consistent statement is a key component of a pre-shot routine for athletes: Feet, Peripheral Vision. That’s it. I opened myself up to the room, remembered to feel my feet grounding me, and allowed myself to feel the confidence these ideas provide.
You’re more likely to produce the sounds you hear mentally. As Jolene shared, “Hear the most optimal beautiful sounds and the whole orchestral part in your head just before beginning to achieve the appropriate character and get your ideal sound concept.”
Taking the plunge to actually start the excerpt was the last part of the process I was overthinking before. I finally thought about the fact that if I simply take my flute of the case and begin wandering around the house playing Mozart or excerpts, it goes well because of the inhibition. I don’t warm up, I don’t stand in one spot and try to perfectly set myself up to play – I just go for it, move freely, and enjoy myself.
After going through my concise pre-performance routine this time, I knew I was ready to play. I felt calm and grounded, and I was able to take the leap of faith and just start. Allowing movement through the breath was the key to starting with ease and using the body as a whole. This ensured I would breathe naturally and freely and tricked me out of overthinking my initial inhale, ultimately risking a tense breath.
Use a video camera and allow yourself only one chance to play through an excerpt or a piece you’re going to perform. Identify the thought process you go through in preparing to play. The Bulletproof Musician’s “Pressure Proof Hacks” provide a guideline for developing your own pre-performance routine.
This is a commonly utilized concept, and there are many resources out there for both athletes and performing artists to check out. I can’t begin to tell you how much this helped me. Doing it every time for every excerpt made an enormous difference when I went in front of a video camera for a mock audition and again the day of the actual audition. Not having this mental plan the first time left far too much room for overthinking and trying too hard, and ultimately, I was inconsistent.
I knew I could allow myself to take as much time as I needed before beginning each excerpt, but this time, I was able to use the time in the most efficient manner. Keeping it simple and consistent is the key.
The Dangers of Reality TV Auditions
As for the other knowledge from the search results, the article from Salon.com was quite an eye-opener about the dark underbelly of reality TV auditions. While I’m not planning on auditioning for a cooking competition show anytime soon, the level of psychological manipulation and exploitation these contestants go through is truly horrifying.
From the in-depth psych evaluations to the invasive background checks, it’s clear that the producers are more interested in creating dramatic storylines than supporting the mental health of their participants. And the fact that the contestants are often forced to sign away their rights and agree to potentially life-altering consequences is just plain wrong.
I can’t imagine the kind of toll that being on a show like that would take, both mentally and emotionally. The article’s description of former contestants struggling with things like PTSD, anger issues, and even suicidal thoughts is absolutely heartbreaking. It really drives home the importance of prioritizing self-care and having a strong support system, especially when you’re putting yourself out there in such a high-stakes and high-pressure environment.
Developing a Pre-Performance Routine
Ultimately, the key lesson I learned from all of these resources is the power of having a consistent pre-performance routine. Whether you’re an athlete, a musician, or an actor, taking the time to intentionally prepare your mind and body can make all the difference in how you show up and perform.
By incorporating simple yet effective techniques like deep breathing, positive self-talk, and visualization, you can rewire your brain to operate from a place of calm, confidence, and focus. And by sticking to this routine every single time, you’re training your mind and body to work together seamlessly, even in the face of intense pressure or adversity.
I know it can be tempting to just dive right in and rely on your natural talent or preparation. But trust me, having that mental game plan in place can be the difference between an underwhelming performance and a truly unforgettable one. And in the cutthroat world of auditioning, that could be the key to landing your dream role.
So if you’re feeling nervous or unsure about your next big audition, I encourage you to take some time to develop your own pre-performance routine. Experiment with different techniques, find what works best for you, and then commit to doing it consistently, no matter what. Your future self (and your audience) will thank you.
And of course, if you ever need a little extra support or inspiration, you can always check out the resources at the Musical Theater Center. We’re here to help you master the mental game and bring your best self to every single audition.
