Sick Part II

So, despite plenty of rest, I woke up this morning even worse than yesterday. Went to the doctor and the glue on my chords is worse than it was on Monday. And having sung 2 shows through the glue, my chords are really swollen. So it was steroids or call out of the show. So I took the roids. Unfortunately, they just started to kick in by end of Act I and by that point I was feeling totally spent.

My throat feels raw, my legs ache, and my voice is at 60%.

Opening night is tomorrow and I'd hate to miss it. I'm considering a B12 shot to get through the show tonight but with the steroids masking my voice and the B12 masking my energy I'm concerned I'd really knock myself out for the rest of the week.

Decision time.

UGH...

Big Performance and You're Sick

It happens to all of us...big performance, critics in the house, and you're sick. How do you get through? Well, since I'm fighting through it as we speak, here's a few things that have helped me.

1) If it's in your head/chest--Go to the doctor (If you're a singer a GREAT otolaryngologist is key), determine the exact problem (ask to have your chords scoped so you can see for yourself), get prescriptions and get on the meds immediately. Sometimes steroids will be your last resort to reduce swelling of the vocal chords. They work but they're dangerous and only a temporary save. I try to avoid them.

2) No soda, smoking, talking, coffee-ing.

3) SLEEEEEEEP. Get as much rest as you can.

4) For energy B12 is the best. Vitamin Water seems to have a lot of it.

5) Mucinex--helps thin the gunk plaguing your chords (i've been living on this stuff this week).

6) Over the counter Afrin can help before the show so you can breathe, but only use it for a few days at most.

6) Take the pressure off yourself. You can only do what you can do. You may be sick, it may be allergies, a virus, who knows? But be honest, be careful with your body and your voice, know your limits, and when you get out there on that stage, just try to have fun no matter what. It won't be easy (these last two nights certainly were not for me) but we live we learn we grow.

Stay Healthy/Feel Better!

Thank You Teachers and Students

To all the teachers and students who have been coming to our show--Thank You! It's been such a pleasure meeting you. It's a blessing to have your energy and smiles in the theater--hopefully you take some of that (along with our show :) back with you to your schools and homes.

Please feel free to surf the archives of my blog. And ask me any questions you don't find the answers to!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Best,
A

Watch This

www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/index.jhtml?episodeId=184108

What to Do?

Not every professional experience will be an easy one. At times you may find yourself frustrated by the reality that no matter how hard you seem to be working, you are not satisfied. At times you may be made to feel disrespected, powerless.

Actors, directors, producers...everyone in showbiz comes from different backgrounds with different agendas. And at times it may be hard to trust--trust that if you work hard, if you do honest work with dignity and integrity--no matter what's going on with others around you, people will notice.

My mentor once told me, "Rise Above." Two very powerful words. This is a difficult business. And striving to make art, to be the best you can be, to open your heart and soul to the audience every time you step on stage...it's really hard, and it opens you to being vulnerable. And some people may use that against you.

Keep working. Keep fighting. Know what you stand for. Believe in it. And let your work speak for you--your acting/your actions will command the respect and dignity you deserve.