Character Movement and Performance (part 2 of 3) Let’s talk about movement. Our bodies are always talking. Every gesture, posture, or glance can tell an observer a little bit of information. We are telling non-verbal stories. And when we consider “character movement,” this focuses on how you can use your physical performance skills to bring…
Category: tips
Bringing Christmas Characters to Life (part 1 of 3)
…without Saying a Word As a storyteller and reenactor, I learned early on that how we move and control the space around us can make a huge difference in how people perceive our performance. The following are some highlights from my recent class on Movement and Physicality for Christmas Characters. Evaluate Your Space Look at…
Movement and Physicality
Let’s Talk about Movement and Physicality One of the unique things about our Christmas Performer Art is that we are often up close and personal. Our performances can be in any number of settings and venues: On a train, on a stage, in a conference room, a mall, you name it. The best performers know…
Magic Ears: Part Two of Two
Don’t Fear the Ears Magic Ears: Part One of Two Magic Ears: Part Two of Two (this page) While we often think of elves as being cute, small, and perky, but they don’t have to be, if they have good performing chops. My son is a big guy, 19 years old, and he has a…
Magic Ears, Part One of Two
We Need More Ears! Magic Ears: Part One of Two (this page) Magic Ears: Part Two of Two Having co-performers who know what they are doing can make a great event amazing. Having co-performers who don’t know what they are doing can make it a nightmare. –True Sadly, there are fewer and fewer in character…
Making the Unbelievable Believable
Making the Unbelievable Believable Five Tips for Developing your Unique Character The twinkling eyes. The gentle chuckle. The mischievous smile, as he strides into the room casually, one thumb in his belt. He surveys the room and then pulls out an old pocket-watch, glances at it, nods, and says, “I know you have questions. Why…
Five Handy Tips and the ABCs for Vocal Performance
Five Handy Tips and the ABCs for Vocal Performance Happy February from Christmas Performer Workshops As Christmas Performers, we run into all sorts of interesting scenarios. Many times, we have to roll with unpredictable settings at our appointments. Our venues or audience may vary in size, have a variety of sound systems, or have no…
Are You Raising Your Christmas Performing to the Next Level?
Are You Raising Your Christmas Performing to the Next Level? Hi folks and welcome to 2017! By now, it is likely that you have started to recover from one of your busiest seasons ever. Your gear is getting cleaned and stowed, you are prepping taxes, and you’re looking at what your plans are for the…
Read? Who Has Time to Read?
You do! If you want to be a great performer, that is. If you’ve ever gone out to a Renaissance Faire or an American Civil war event and met some of the folks who reenact famous characters (such as Queen Elizabeth, Mark Twain, Abraham Lincoln, Ben Franklin, Calamity Jane, Sacagawea, or Harriet Tubman) you will…
The 12 Days of “It’s NOT Christmas” Performing Resolutions
Hi and welcome to the next helpful round of tips from Christmas Performer Workshops (number one of three). The 12 Days of “It’s NOT Christmas” Performing Resolutions! Ever notice that around New Year’s, we make resolutions to help ourselves improve our lives? Then invariably, those resolutions tend to slide away. But the truth is that…