Courage
Confidence, the untheatrical kind
A rite for the moment before you speak, audition, or walk in. It ends with rehearsal.
Timing. The day before, not only in the hallway outside.
Materials
- A mirror, or a dark window.
- Your notes or the text you must say.
- A glass of water.
- Shoes, if the event requires shoes. Bare feet if it does not.
- A timer.
Steps
- 1Stand or sit as you will sit there.
- 2Say the first two sentences of what you must say, aloud, twice.
- 3Notice one physical tell of fear. Do not insult it. Shake your hands once.
- 4Speak the words of the rite to your reflection.
- 5Drink the water.
- 6Set out what you will wear or carry, so morning-you is not negotiating with dread.
- 7Sleep, or if it is the same day, walk around the block or the room once and then go.
I am allowed to be seen doing this imperfectly. I will not abandon myself at the doorway for a fantasy of a cooler person.
Close. After the event, write three lines about what happened, not about what you imagine they thought. Eat something.
The practical action, which is not optional if you want the rite to be honest. Rehearse out loud once. Then attend.