And I don't have any chill pills, either.
November 1, 2010 6:34 AM   Subscribe

Anxiety filter.

I'm an actor.

I have an audition today for a Broadway show. This is a first audition, which means that only the director and the casting director will be in the room, not the production team or the playwright or any other anonymous money people who get to weigh in on my worthiness for the role, as is the case as things progress. So, knowing the drill, you'd think I'd feel mostly okay about going into the room.

Well, I don't. I'm really struggling this morning. Part of my issue is that this is the first really big audition I've had since I quit smoking. I feel so much better physically and know that it was the sane choice to quit, but preparing myself for these sorts of high pressure situations used to involve sitting quietly in the morning with the audition materials, next to the kitchen window, smoking and getting focused. Well, I'm trying to have my morning ritual without the cigarettes and it's not going very well. I'm getting progressively more and more down on myself. This is ridiculous, I know, particularly given that I know the director and casting director.

I have a therapist and would normally just give her a call and talk it out for a couple of minutes. But she's not in today and I don't feel this is an emergency. Any advice on how to calm and focus yourself quickly when your previous mode of doing so is no longer an option? I have six hours. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
posted by TryTheTilapia to Health & Fitness (15 answers total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
Nicotine gum?
posted by The Lady is a designer at 6:36 AM on November 1, 2010


Response by poster: I'm off the gum finally and I'm loathe to reintroduce nicotine into my system, but it's not a bad idea.
posted by TryTheTilapia at 6:39 AM on November 1, 2010


Take a hot shower.

Put on your favorite cast album.

My ex-smoker partner says cinnamon sticks, but if you can't find those, cinnamon gum works well.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:40 AM on November 1, 2010


Best answer: Do you exercise? A burst of endorphins from a quick run or the like can be very centering in situations like these.
posted by telegraph at 6:51 AM on November 1, 2010


Best answer: Mental trick: Convince yourself that you aren't *nervous.* You're just *really excited!* This works because it's the same biological feeling -- heart beating fast, restless, like you've been pumped full of adrenaline -- it's just a matter of what context you choose to give it.

Seriously. Not nerves. You're super-excited, and it's going to be amazing when you walk in there crackling with all of this great energy.
posted by Andrhia at 6:58 AM on November 1, 2010 [13 favorites]


Have a wank?
posted by By The Grace of God at 7:00 AM on November 1, 2010 [1 favorite]


It sounds like you're allowing your craving for nicotine to drive you. If you are ever going to quit smoking for good, you are going to have to face up to a crisis moment and recognise that you can come through it without nicotine. It may as well be this moment for you. Take a deep breath and remind yourself why you're doing this.
posted by londonmark at 7:06 AM on November 1, 2010 [2 favorites]


I agree with telegraph. Get the energy out by walking/running/flailing in circles. Put on some ridiculous videos from youtube and flail around your apartment. Better yet invite a friend. Bonus, pretend you have a microphone and sing to your mirror.

(When I feel like this, the worst thing to do is sit still in one place. I'll walk in circles and talk to myself if I have to go over presentation material, if I can't/don't want to smoke.)
posted by shinyshiny at 7:10 AM on November 1, 2010


I regret my suggestion, since you have cleansed your system of nicotine, don't introduce it again. It has been at moments like this where I've given in and started smoking again (and still do).

While londonmark has a point, the body has gotten accustomed to the chemical relaxation that nicotine gives (even though its out of the physical system) - don't push that aspect since the outcome is important to you and performance matters. Andrhia has a good point here - walk around and practice rather than sitting by the window, smoking. Yell and scream out the words rather than reading them through silently. Convert the "fight or flight" into controlled energy.

Good luck.
posted by The Lady is a designer at 7:25 AM on November 1, 2010


When I'm anxious about some upcoming important event, I try to put my focus on some sort of easy, simple activity. Like preparing a perfect cup of tea. Or making the perfect bowl of oatmeal. Focusing on something I can control and not focusing on something I can't control, really helps calm me down.
posted by smirkyfodder at 7:52 AM on November 1, 2010


You can swing by my office and I'll be happy to give you one of these pirin tablets for your anxiety. And a hug. Hugs usually help me out.
posted by mrsshotglass at 8:18 AM on November 1, 2010 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: You're all awesome and I'm grateful.

mrsshotglass, I could basically get addicted to mouthwash so I will pass on the generous offer of pirin but accept the hug gladly. :-)
posted by TryTheTilapia at 8:30 AM on November 1, 2010


Exercise and pump yourself up mentally like Andhria suggests. It just takes a little nudge to reframe this - sitting around will just keep your mind racing in circles. What about running yourself through voice and motion warmups? Practice your hammiest goofiest lines and caricatures?

I'd advise against any chemical adjustments (from pirin, whatever that is, to coffee). Just let yourself feel what you're feeling, but put it to good use.
posted by canine epigram at 8:53 AM on November 1, 2010


pirin tablets are aspirin with the "as" scratched off. its a placebo joke from 'the birdcage.' please don't think i was offering OP rx drugs.
posted by mrsshotglass at 9:29 AM on November 1, 2010 [3 favorites]


It's late now, hope all went well for you. For future reference, my cardiologist recommends beta blockers for performance anxiety. She prescribes for musicians and thespians (after doing a full work up).
posted by Feisty at 9:06 AM on November 11, 2010


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