“When once a decision has been reached and execution is the order of the day, dismiss absolutely all responsibility and care about the outcome.”

--William James

“My center gives way. My right recedes. The situation is excellent.  I shall attack.”

—General Ferdinand Foch before WWI battle that saved Paris.

Not long ago, as I sat back stage, listening to the rustle of the audience and the pre-show music, a fellow actor asked if I was nervous. I answered, “No. I’m ready.”

I may even be a little addicted to that liminal…Read on.

There is an oft unspoken skill that performers seem to know, but have no memory of being taught. That is because this is something that we do not experience in rehearsal, only in performance: riding the wave of laughter and applause. We may not know what a certain audience will find funny and we are often surprised if there is applause during a performance. We expect applause at the end, but how to know the right moment to leave the stage? When do we come back for a second or third bow? We learn this skill only by performing before a live audience. Mid-performance, the skill is to ride the wave of applause or laughter and then, just as the wave begins to wane, jump in and continue decisively and with vocal strength. There is a sweet spot to hit that is somewhat intuitive. If we ignore the audience and keep talking or jump in too soon…Read on.