Whaddup. I'm a performer (currently in Fawlty Towers in the West End). AND I run a business. Because art and commerce can exist together. Quite successfully, in fact. If you're an audience-facing professional, and you want the tips, tricks and techniques used by theatre performers all over the world, then this is the place for you. This is where you get confident, you get charisma, and you start owning the room in a whole new way. This is Showing Up 2.0. It's a vibe.
New year, new voice
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You ever wish you could sit your younger self down and give yourself a pep talk? Because SAME. If I could zap back to my 20s, I'd pull myself towards myself and say... 'Self, why are you letting these colleagues belittle and bully you in front of other people?' 'Self, don't marry that guy - it is going to end in utter effing disaster and you are better than that.' 'Self, THROW THAT OUTFIT AWAY - It is not serving you.' And my younger me would roll her eyes and say, 'Urgh, you don't know me, get away, I can look after myself.' To which I'd reply... 'You can look after yourself? How's that working out for you? You're crippled with anxiety, making bad choices, and you have no confidence. You need to stand up for YOU.' I'm 42 now. I love being in my 40s. I've (almost) stopped taking shit from people. Now, since it's the beginning of a new year - and we're all out here trying to be intentional and make better decisions - let me say this: Your writing isn't just some random exercise you undertake to grow your business. Your writing is an extension of who you are. Your writing should be infused with your voice. Your beliefs. A sense of confidence. And when that happens - your writing morphs into new experiences. You land speaking opportunities. You attract leads in your DMs. You start stepping into a bigger version of yourself. Writing as an extension of who you are = pure, glorious freedom. I know, it sounds like witchcraft. But it’s not—it’s science. Put out into the world who you are, what you believe and what you stand for - tell your story - and you draw in the people who want more of who you are. That's bold branding. So, whether you're using ChatGPT or your own brain... Whether you're writing proposals for speaking gigs or new work... Whether you're creating content for LinkedIn... ...stop writing for the sake of writing... And start writing for the sake of connecting. Growing. Learning. Start writing for the sake of being one of the real ones. Scary right? I know. It's so bloody exciting. Ash. |
Behind the Curtain
Whaddup. I'm a performer (currently in Fawlty Towers in the West End). AND I run a business. Because art and commerce can exist together. Quite successfully, in fact. If you're an audience-facing professional, and you want the tips, tricks and techniques used by theatre performers all over the world, then this is the place for you. This is where you get confident, you get charisma, and you start owning the room in a whole new way. This is Showing Up 2.0. It's a vibe.
One of the most important things I learned when I was studying voice and performance is this: If your knees are locked, your voice is locked. And it's true. When you stand in front of an audience, take notice of what your knees are doing. If they're locked - I can guarantee you that your voice will be locked too. Here's why: Locking your knees shifts your weight and can lead to shallow breathing. When this happens, it can restrict the proper use of your diaphragm for breath support. And if...
GOOD MORNING, Reader! It's been a couple of weeks! But I am back. I can't say I'm raring to go. That would be a lie and I'd never lie to you. I'm more...in tabletop position to go. Like a horse would be if it wasn't raring. I've been in South Africa for two weeks and it's been absolutely wonderful - but also pretty full-on with family and friends and commitments and dinners and mini-breaks to the bush. Now, I'm back in London, the Fawlty Towers tour has kicked off in Bromley, and I'm planning...
You can listen to this email here: We Must Have Art Apartheid.mp3 I don't have a specific piece of art for you today, Reader. I'm sorry. Rather, I have some musings on why it's so important that we HAVE art. So, I'm going to try and share that with you coherently, on a day, and at a time when I don't feel very coherent at all. I feel quite sad and overwhelmed and helpless. Here we go... I grew up during Apartheid in South Africa. It was a very dark time, the '80s. We really were on the brink...