Where in the world am I today?: North Vancouver, BC, Canada
OK… This isn’t anything all that complicated, but if it’s something you’re not doing it’s something you should consider taking up as a regular practice.
After I finish a show I try to sit down once the smoke has cleared and take some notes. I take notes about how the show itself has gone, take notes about some of the people that made a difference in the performance be they members of the audience or members of the support crew that helped put the show on.
I’ve got an atrociously poor memory, so for me taking the small amount of time that it requires to copy down names while they’re fresh in my head and making the extra effort to find out the names of the people who’s contributed to the show is well worth the effort.
When I’m on ships for example I try to take note of who it was that introduced me on stage along with other members of the crew staff, the cruise director (for sure), the technicians, the back stage crew. Making a study of people’s names so that I remember them when I run into them around the ship is hugely important as it helps make a personal connection with the people who can make and/or break the show.
Taking the extra time to make notes about the things that worked during a performance and the things that didn’t work also helps me grow as a performer and work on the things that look as though they’ve got some promise as well as re-evaluate things that didn’t go as well as they might have to ensure that they go better the next time around.
Recently while working on the GRAND Princess I was really impressed by the work ethic of comedian Jim McDonald. Jim not only did great sets, he was also constantly working on new material and new jokes… He knew his rhythm down to the point where could just about dictate the number of words per joke to keep things in the rhythm consistent. Not only was if cool to see Jim working so proficiently on his material, but it was cool to discuss each others shows and bounce ideas off of each other.
Moving forward with material, working on new things, trying to expand and improve is a constant process and taking the time to make notes after each show gives you the best chance of making steps forward as quickly as possible.
