BALANCE YOUR ACT! A BALANCING ACT- Energize! a holistic approach

2012: New resolutions, new shift, new paradigm

2011-12-16T07:05:00.000-05:00

Frost Crystal, by Jean-Pierre Rousset

As we approach the change of year and the entry to 2012, we see that around us everything is already shifting, transforming and even collapsing to open for rebuilding. Dictatorships becoming democracies, the abundance of the very few starting to be redistributed to others, the research and finding of new energy resources that will not pollute the earth and obvious climate change: all these things show us that the earth, our home, is profoundly shifting.

The shift that is happening around us is also happening in ourselves. Our cells are shifting on the vibratory level. It can be scary, it can be a roller coaster and we don't know what will come. I invite you all to embrace it and ride the wave as surfers. If you wake up at night and feel the pulse of the change going through you, as I often do, I invite you to breathe through it and let go. I invite you to trust that everything will be all right. It will be a different life, but better for all.

Perhaps it is finally possible that we can trust ourselves, love ourselves, and open up to our inner guidance. As I have often said: ACTORS, PERFORMERS, you are a LIVING WORK OF ART!

Let this sensation inform your thoughts and create inner respect for you, and for others so we can move into a world with a newly found respect for each other.
As performers, you will lead the way.

Best wishes for a happy, prosperous and enlightened year 2012!

Emmanuelle Chaulet
author of A BALANCING ACT

Character Work: Letting The Character Lead

2011-11-11T16:49:00.001-05:00

When I recently responded to a blog post on character preparation, I brought up the idea, central to my method, the Energize technique, of “Letting the Character Lead.” James Devereaux, author of the Great Acting Blog asked me to share with you an excerpt of my book A BALANCING ACT on that subject.
Here it is, found in Chapter VII:

Try to “hear” the character speak.

Begin to cooperate with your character,

asking questions and getting its “visible” answers.

Michael Chekhov

A character, sir, can always ask a man who he is.

Because a character truly has a life of his own,

marked by his own characteristics, because of which he is always “someone.”

On the other hand, a man – I’m not saying you at this moment –

a man in general, can be “nobody.”

-Luigi Pirandello

The outside-in approach
The theatre world has been divided on this issue for centuries. Some say it is better to create a character from personal knowledge and past experiences (Lee Strasberg, for example). Others say that imagination must be the primary foundation for the actor’s work, that form precedes content and that by working on the form of the expression, the body language and the gesture, the emotion will follow (Michael Chekhov, for example). I have been trained both ways and I see truth in each. I am a strong believer in using both in some ways. The order and sequence in which the actor needs to approach the role doesn’t really matter. However, I truly feel that an actor must get inspiration from outside his personality or he will forever play himself in various situations. Yet, he also needs to root his performance within his own subconscious, in order to be truthful and to exploit the various facets of his personality. After all, actors are chameleons. They love changing personas, and they naturally have an ability to do so, or they would not have become actors.
The first phase of the Energize technique is based on the outside-in approach. In the next chapter we will see how to integrate the inside-out approach via the use of sub-personalities. Ultimately, an actor should use both simultaneously. I conceptualize it this way: starting from inside to open the aspect of oneself that is most appropriate for this particular role, then later reaching outside to wear the new “skin” of the character.
But first, one needs to get to know and befriend the character. Stanislavski called that “falling in love” with the character. In Six Characters in Search of an Author, Luigi Pirandello puts the following words in the mouth of the Father, one of the six “immaterial” characters who tries to convince a director and his acting troupe to perform their story:

FATHER: One is born to life in many ways and in many forms: as a tree, or as a stone, as water, as a butterfly…or as a human. And one can also be born as a character … “He who has the luck to be born as a live character can even laugh at death. He will never die. The one who will die is the man, the writer, the instrument of the creation. The creation never dies … They live eternally, because, being live germs, they had the good fortune to find a fertile matrix, a fantasy that knew how to raise and nourish them, to make them live for eternity! …
DIRECTOR: All of this is fine. But what is it that you want here?
FATHER: We want to live, sir!
DIRECTOR: For eternity?
FATHER: [referring to the actors]: No sir, only for a moment…in them.

Listening to the character, befriending it
One of the first exercises I do with my actors is a relaxation/visualization focused on the character. After a good lying down relaxation on the mat, during which time I take them through all the chakras, aura, and different elements of the energetic system while doing a self-clearing, I ask performers to visualize the character they are going to play. Using their five senses, I ask them to observe, feel, listen to, smell, touch in their minds eye, and (why not?), taste the character they are going to play. This exercise is a “getting to know each other” time, as if the character and the actor were going to become dance partners, and even live together for a while in a marriage. I ask the actor to explore the persona they are going to embody. Using their subconscious and not censoring any information their imagination and intuition are going to give, they create, or more accurately, discover, the character’s personality. A composite of voice, movements, posture, mannerism, thoughts, inner monologue, and personality traits, the character then starts having a life of its own and becomes a real person. I ask actors to listen to what the character wants to tell them. I ask them to take notes at the end of the relaxation/visualization. The character will tell its story, its challenges, and share what its objective, deepest wants and yearnings are. He or she will talk about their struggles and about the obstacles in their way. They will talk from their point of view about the other characters, about events in the play or in their life before the play. He or she will share their childhood, their stories of love and lust, abuse and revenge. From these confidences, the images and feelings about who the character really is will be more vivid, more tangible. The objectives and actions will be clearer and more obvious. This inner dialogue is like having an imaginary date with your character, befriending him or her, finding its qualities, its humanness, and listening to its point of view and its story. Stanislavski talked about “flirting” with your character. It is indeed a seduction dance, a tender approach. Shirley MacLaine writes in Going Within about her performance of Madame Sousatzka:

“I proceeded to sculpt, with Schlesinger’s help [the director] what Sousatzka looked like, what she wore, how her hair was styled, what jewelry clanked on her wrists, how she walked, talked, ate, breathed, laughed, and cried . . . She became a composite of reality; a real, living, breathing character fashioned from our creativity. After I finished my composition of thought, I let her go. I threw her up to the universe and said “Now you play yourself through me.”

Stay tuned for another post about more practical exercises.

Emmanuelle Chaulet is a Lecturer of Theatre at the University of Southern Maine, and an artist’s coach. She is the author of A BALANCING ACT, (Starlight Acting Books 2008) and can be contacted at: info@emmanuellechaulet.com and www.starlightacting.org or www.emmanuellechaulet.com

What are you sacrificing in order to achieve success?

2011-06-14T11:01:00.000-04:00

Jephthah's sacrifice - Maciejowski Bible

I just participated in an interesting discussion on a Linkedin actors group about sacrifice... So what are YOU sacrificing for success?

It is true that becoming an artist, whether actor, dancer, musician is a road full of sacrifices. Often, one needs to abandon the idea of a stable life, to tour with a suitcase and perform in small towns, where after the thrill of the stage, there is nothing much waiting for you but a hotel room with hundreds of cable channels..
Often, one needs to leave friends, family, roots to pursue a dream in LA, New York, Paris..
Often, one needs to live with no money, juggling jobs, waiting tables or putting double shifts to make ends meet, with no time to do what others can do: have relaxing moments. Often, one needs to accept daily rejection for the hope of one day, getting the big break.
Often, one needs to also put long hours of practice, suffer in the physical or emotional body, all of this in the sacred name of ART.

I did that, we all do that.. we all think that suffering will produce good work.. that we need to feel pain in order to be creative, to pursue our dream. We are the soldiers of the stage, the gladiators in the arena...eradicating any weakness in ourselves, not in the name of freedom, but in the name of creativity.

But let me tell you, you can sacrifice all you want, but NEVER sacrifice your soul... know who you truly are, find, connect with and nurture your true self. Spend time with it and sit with it, supporting its growth. Be the gardener to your soul. Give it time, light, water, love.. and watch it grow.

It is the only thing that will keep you going, because the road ahead is going to be tough.. no question!
So take great care of YOU with compassion and love.

F. Emmanuelle Chaulet
artists coach
For more information on individual support sessions for artists and the book A BALANCING ACT visit: www.emmanuellechaulet.com

Voice Dialogue for Performers

2011-05-29T22:29:00.002-04:00

Voice Dialogue is a powerful technique for all but holds special interest for perfomers.

Voice Dialogue, created by Dr. Hal and Sidra Stone, is a guided, facilitated process to explore the inner world of the Selves or Sub-Personalities and develop an Aware Ego Process. In Voice Dialogue, a facilitator will help you let your inner-selves speak their thoughts and voice their feelings and opinions on an issue that is important to you. Typically during a session, one will open the discussion and ask to speak to two polar opposites. For example, we would talk to the part of you that loves beeing lazy, and later on, to its complete opposite, the part of you that is an overachiever; or to the fearless part of you and then to the part that is afraid, etc. We would discuss their respective roles, goals and tactics. We would ask how they each feel in your body, when they appeared in your life, what they push you to do or not do, why they want you to behave a certain way, etc...

The goal of Voice Dialogue is to reinforce your strength in the Center, as well as to embrace ALL of your inner-selves, because each and every one of them has a special role and your best interest at heart. Each one of this cast of inner characters is fulfilling a specific part in your psyche and all are necessary. Getting them to talk is helping resolve the inner conflicts and turmoils.

For artists, this technique becomes very interesting in clearing what holds you back. The voices will each speak their reasons, and you will be able to discover what is holding you back in your evolution and why you follow a certain behavior sometimes in spite of yourself. The key is to not judge, but to listen, with care, empathy and neutrality, so that each voice can feel respected and loved. After all, they have guided you to where you are and have your highest interest at heart. They only sometimes confuse protecting you with holding you back.

Actors are prime candidates for Voice Dialogue as it is exactly as working with a character, except that it is one of your inner-characters, one of your sub-personalities.
I discovered Voice Dialogue with late Mala Powers, and Lisa Dalton of the Chekhov Institute, and later studied with Martha-Lou Wolf, Ph.d. to become a facilitator. This has been a fascinating journey in the subconscious...

I invite you to try one of these sessions, and discover your inner-world of characters!

FMI for a SKYPE, phone or in-person Voice Dialogue session, please email me at: info@emmanuellechaulet.com

Xavier Durringer interviewed at Cannes for La Conquete

2011-05-19T19:10:00.000-04:00

As always, Xavier is straight to the point and has no fear.. kudos! I can't wait to see the film...

Xavier Durringer by clemtom

Spring Clean your Self....

2011-03-19T15:03:00.002-04:00

Photo Jean-Pierre Rousset

Spring is coming... Yesterday in Maine, we had the most beautiful weather and 62ºF!!! an incredible warmth for us up north, Down East..... Spring means that the time has come for new life to sprout out of the dark, moist soil. It also means for many of us, clearing the path for this new life, new energy by cleaning houses, closets, and attics.

How about cleaning and clearing your inner closets and attics?

Letting go of what you do not need or want, and of the blocks in your way. Releasing and transmuting your fears, your limitations to open the door to new ideas, thought patterns and strength. Releasing expectations from others, and expectations that you put on your own shoulders. Letting the free, loving, clearing Light repair your system to bring you to your highest potential and creativity.

Visualize, perceive this beam of light entering the top of your head, then touching your forehead (the place between your eyes, also called the Third Eye), your throat, your heart. In your heart this beam of light bathes and calms your heart rate, bringing it to coherence. Focus on feelings of appreciation and gratitude to regulate your nervous system. Open your heart to the infinite Love of Source.
Release the stress, negative emotions and pain and let them be transformed in the infinite cosmos.

Continue by perceiving this beam of light touching and clearing your solar plexus, then your lower abdomen, and then let it pass your feet going down to the center and crystalin core of the Earth. It connects you from heaven to earth, like an antena running through your spine.

Then feel this beautiful, and clearing energy surround you in a bubble of lights and colors. In that bubble you can recharge and regenerate.
This sphere of light is protective and clearing. It rotates clockwise, from left to right, and raises the vibration of your energy system.

Then concentrate again on your heart, feeling the warmth of the energy source in your heart.
Finally, reconnect with your five senses, smell, touch, sound, taste, and sight and the room, and the here and now.

If you take the time each day to mentally clear your energy system like this, you will feel lighter and clearer.
I will be happy to help you learn these skills through my program of sessions and tele-sessions via Skype or phone.

This spring I offer a package of 6 sessions at $65 each that will teach you skills like RYSE® to self-manage your energy system. (regular sessions $80/$70) I am booking sessions for April now..

Invest in yourself... learn how to clear the path in front of you and manifest your highest potential.
Email me for more info.

Take great care,

Emmanuelle
Emmanuelle Chaulet
Energy Awareness Counselor, CRPL3, Artists coach
info@emmanuellechaulet.com
http://www.facebook.com/emmanuelle.chaulet.page
www.emmanuellechaulet.com
This article is © Emmanuelle Chaulet 2011

The Luxury of Time

2011-01-21T07:55:00.000-05:00

Photo Frost: www.jeanpierrerousset.com

Today, unexpected snow day in Maine, and all of a sudden TIME is give to me....
This luxury feels like a blessing and as I sip on my morning coffee, I am pondering what will I do today I have not had time for?

And I am drawn to reflection: sometimes, the to do list got to pause, so you can go inward and reflect on where you are, where you want to go and the path accomplished. Giving THANKS for your blessings, and the gifts given to you, as big or as small, and opening your heart to infinite possibilities.
We often forget that we can accomplish more sometimes by not doing, and by just being...
In our Occidental society governed by the DO, DO pushers, a pause feels like a stolen vacation and a moment we almost feel guilty of. But these moments are necessary to be able to guide your boat. otherwise you might miss the iceberg ahead...

So, as often as you can, connect with the part of you who just wants to be.
Listen to it, even if it only gives you silence.
It holds in you the secret to happiness, manifestation and peace.

I AM THAT I AM

Emmanuelle Chaulet
Artists Coach, CRPL3, Adjunct Theatre Faculty
www.emmanuellechaulet.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Emmanuelle-Chaulet/212334829086

Brave Women & Courageous Actresses

2010-12-31T09:53:00.000-05:00

On New Year's eve, two sad news, reinforce my urge to send a plea to you my friends, actors and performers...
Love Thyself!
French Actress/model Isabelle Caro passes away after a long battle with anorexia and an extraordinarily courageous campaign to help other women an models fight the disease.

and lead actress of Broadway musical Spider-Man quits because of a head injury she received from performing the show many dangerous stunts... she choses to quit a career-making role, instead of risking her life.. that is a real act of courage..
These are two examples of how deadly show business pressure can become. These women showed unparallel courage to confront the big machine of showbiz. Isabelle Caro, unfortunately lost her battle. but found the strength to model for an awareness campaign on Anorexia before she died.
May their stories inspire you to honor yourself this coming year!

Emmanuelle Chaulet
Artists' Coach, Energy Awareness Counselor

ENERGIZE™ : the other way

2010-12-27T16:56:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

This time of year is my favorite when we do plans for the future, make resolutions and set the next course of our ship to sail the uncharted territories of our mission exploration….

As performers, it also means getting ready for these Pilot seasons, starting a new semester, or simply sharpening skills and talent. And there is ALWAYS something to learn. Artists are well aware that they should be in constant exploration of their craft and in the pursuit of the highest creative expression… But why not add: also in the pursuit of happiness?

Is there really a curse, which requires artists to suffer for their art? Or can you be a happy, yet profoundly creative artist? We have all seen, read, heard about the myth of the starving artist who is constantly in pain to pull out his next creation, but is it really what it takes? Do you have to wring your guts to do good work? Isn’t there another way?

I deeply believe there is. A way where the path is exhilarating, yet safe, where the road wanders in amazing landscapes, but where you always remember where you go, and where you come from. A way where Balance is supporting Creativity.

I have researched for years this other way, and am privileged to share with you my discoveries. Using the awareness of Energy, you can keep your instrument grounded, balanced, and energized, and yet tap into the other vibrations of the character world and of the play, without risking getting lost in them, but always finding your way home…

ENERGIZE™ is this method, and I invite you to not only read it in the book A BALANCING ACT, but to also try it in sessions and workshops. Contact me for an individual distance or in person session.

Let me also know if your school, or University is ready to explore this new technique.

I’ll be very happy to transport to you!

Live Long and Prosper,

Emmanuelle Chaulet

Artists' coach, Energy Awareness Counselor, CRPL3

Author, Speaker, International Film Actress

Workshop Leader

Now booking for January, February and May 2011

Individual Sessions, Workshop Modules for organizations and universities

There is still time! Meaningful Holiday Gifts for Artists' Souls

2010-12-11T09:57:00.004-05:00

There is still time to get that special gift! OFFER VALID UNTIL DEC 20, 2011!

The book (signed and personalized):
A BALANCING ACT: A book to reclaim the Highest Artist Within
This is a meaningful gift for the special artists in your life!
A book that can change the way they'll look at their craft and at themselves, teaching them new tools to care for their instrument, boosting their confidence, self-esteem and stage presence.

Holiday Special: All books ordered via STARLIGHT ACTING BOOKS before December 20 will be signed by the author (free of charge).
(Note: Signature is NOT available on books ordered with FULFILLMENT BY AMAZON) To order A BALANCING ACT ($24.95) click on this link:
http://www.starlightactingbooks.starlightacting.org/store.html

GIVE THE GIFT OF AN ENERGIZE™ SESSION: (Student rate for all until January 15: use promotional code " X2011" on the comments lines)
Gift Certificates for phone or in-person sessions with Emmanuelle Chaulet

ENERGIZE™ sessions clarify the mind and spirit, relieve stress, increase stage presence, and help with decision-making, creativity and empowerment. Special FIND YOUR STAR POWER session for young professional musicians and actors.
Purchase the session you'd like on line, and then Email me the name and address of the person you want to gift. I'll send you a lovely gift certificate card (on paper or electronically, it's your choice). 90 minutes ENERGIZE™ sessions: $70
Talent management coaching sessions: $50

http://www.emmanuellechaulet.com/services.html

HOLD ON LOG:
USE THE PROMOTIONAL CODE: 'FREC9' to get a $20 discount.
Insert it in the Coupon code field discount box at check out.

A fabulous tool to manage your performing career, from audition to fittings. A perfect gift for a working performing artist.
Step up to the professional business of show business use Holdon Log, Performer track. Manage your auditions, contacts, call backs, rehearsal, fittings, mileage, shooting, expenses, income, classes and workshops and more ...Online, anywhere.

http://www.emmanuellechaulet.com/catalog.html

FMI http://www.emmanuellechaulet.com

Best wishes for a prosperous and Happy New Year!

Best Wishes for the Holidays!

2010-11-25T07:51:00.003-05:00

Now is a time for caring, loving and being grateful… exactly the feelings we need to lower our stress level! So, do not let yourself get pressured down by all the expectations that our commercial culture has put around the holidays. Rather, gently but firmly, reject these expectations, to instead focus on the feelings of care, appreciation, love and gratitude. People around you will too, feel relieved that you do not play the “expectation game.” Kindly express and offer around you genuine and truthful care instead. The frugal economy climate is a great reason to downsize material gifts and focus on spiritual and meaningful gifts. You’d be surprised to see how many sighs of relief will result from this shift in perspective!

And take also the time to care for YOU! As we enter our final phase before the winter solstice in a few weeks, it is now time to introspect, reflect, recharge, refill and make plans for the New Year. How wonderful and fun is it to be doing this daydreaming, and future mapping of our lives! Let’s not put unrealistic expectations on ourselves either, with New Year resolutions that are impossible to keep. But instead, meditate and journal your thoughts. Think about where you are now, where you want to go next, and how to appreciate the journey ahead, keeping in sight that the PRESENT is the GIFT.

Take great care, and best wishes,

Emmanuelle

Emmanuelle Chaulet

Starlight Acting Institute, Director

Energy Awareness Counselor, CRPL3

Artists’ coach

IN THIS NEWS LETTER:

MEANINGFUL GIFTS FOR ACTORS AND ARTISTS IN YOUR LIFE:

A BALANCING ACT: A book to reclaim the Highest Artist Within

This is a meaningful gift for the special artists in your life!

A book that can change the way they’ll look at their craft and at themselves, teaching them new tools to care for their instrument, boosting their confidence, self-esteem and stage presence.

Holiday Special: All books ordered via STARLIGHT ACTING BOOKS before December 17 will be signed by the author (free of charge).

(Signature NOT available on books with FULFILLMENT BY AMAZON)

To order A BALANCING ACT ($24.95) click on this link:

http://www.starlightactingbooks.starlightacting.org/store.html

GIVE THE GIFT OF AN ENERGIZE™ SESSION:

Gift Certificates for phone or in-person sessions with Emmanuelle Chaulet.

ENERGIZE™ sessions clarify the mind and spirit, relieve stress, increase stage presence, and help with decision-making, creativity and empowerment. Special FIND YOUR STAR POWER session for young professional musicians and actors.

Purchase the session you’d like on line, and then Email me the name and address of the person you want to gift. I’ll send you a lovely gift certificate card (on paper or electronically, it’s your choice). 90 minutes sessions starts at $70 for students.

http://www.starlightacting.org/individualsessions/individualsessions.html

AN ENERGIZING WEEK AT VCU:

The first week of November, I was honored to be invited as Guest Artist to teach 8 master-classes at Virginia Commonwealth University Theatre Department, in Richmond, VA and was thrilled to meet so many talented, committed and mature students. Clearly the ENERGIZE™ work spoke to them and I felt truly excited to be able to share my discoveries with this group.

I presented the modules: “ENERGIZE™ a holistic approach to acting (overview),” “Pre-Performance Preparation,” “Post-Performance Blues,” “Energy Anatomy,” and discussed elements of “The Actor Spiritual Purpose,” as well as some of the “Character Vibration and Blueprint.”

I am grateful to my dear friend and colleague Josh Chenard, to have hosted and organized this series of workshops. I hope we will soon present this kind of ENERGIZING week to other schools. Josh is a certified Michael Chekhov Technique teacher, and offers Archetypes workshops.

Contact me for more information or to bring us to your school.

energize@starlightacting.org

http://www.starlightacting.org/WorkshopModules/WorkshopModules.html

Institute of HeartMath Feeds Food for Thought with Science of Thanksgiving Gratitude

2010-11-20T09:59:00.001-05:00

Institute of HeartMath Feeds Food for Thought with Science of Thanksgiving Gratitude

To read at Thanksgiving time... why it works to focus on feelings of appreciation and gratitude to re-balance your body, mind, spirit and emotions....
In these holiday frenzy times, when you – the performers– are the most busy with shows and concerts, learn to take a few pauses, breathe deeply, appreciate something simple, perhaps just the fact you are doing what you love, to be able to recharge your energy and fly higher....

I am grateful to share what I have learned with so many talented people,

Emmanuelle Chaulet
Acting coach, Energy Awareness counselor

An ENERGIZING week at VCU theatre department

2010-11-06T08:04:00.002-04:00

I just spent a truly energizing week in Richmond with the students of Virginia Commonwealth University.
Invited to teach master classes in ENERGIZE for 5 fun-filled days, I want to thank everyone at VCU for such a warm welcome, and a truly committed, focused, and high energy vibration week!

In particular I want to thank my dear friend and colleague Josh Chenard, who has not only been a most gracious host, but also an inspiration. Congratulations on ANIMAL FARM, the show which opened last night and which he directed. An inspiring, thought provoking moment of theatre!
Kudos to all the actors who showed a feeling of ease on stilts and with masks..

A Bientôt!!

Emmanuelle Chaulet

The Solitude of the Winner - Part II

2010-08-09T22:09:00.001-04:00

A Letter from Monique van der Werff, actress

As a reader of your book and newsletters I would love to thank you for another inspiring column. I have also read 'The Winner stands alone' (as I am a big fan of Paulo Coelho). Thanks for reminding people that fame is empty.

I would like to share my experience on this topic with you, as an example, because it exactly underlines what you were saying.

I have been able to experience it: fame, glory, signing autographs, fans going crazy etc, for a few years. I'm a Dutch actress and a few years ago I was in a children series, which accidentally became the most famous of our country then. It was on TV, primetime, daily, plus we made three movies abroad. But I was not happy. I've always been more of a theater person. I like to take a lot of time rehearsing, searching for the depth of a part and deeply connecting with my fellow-actors.

So, after two years I decided to go back to that. I went to New York to study at Stella Adler's Studio of Acting. When I came back, a lot of people would comment: 'Your colleague from the series is now presenting 'Holland's got talent', that could have been you'. I am so glad it is not me. I know she is really happy doing it, because this was her dream, but is was not MY dream. I really have a hard time getting people to understand that. They think I failed, and 'did not make it'. Even family says worried: 'I haven't seen you on TV for a while, are you okay?' Someone who's had the fame and fortune and now 'lost' it must be sick, sad and miserable...the opposite of which is true: I felt much more like that when I was 'famous' (in the Netherlands, I mean we're talking only 16 million people here...;-)) and couldn't walk the streets without being recognized and screamed at all the time. All this energy coming my way, I just couldn't handle it. And how was I supposed to do my job of observing people, if they were staring at me all the time? But if you say that, as an actor, a lot of people just find that you are being 'ungrateful' or they don't believe you don't crave for fame anymore and think that you are jealous of the ones that 'did make it'.

On TV people see the glitter & glamour, the smiling faces, so they think fame is related to a lot of other things, like happiness. It is not.
I try my best, in interviews etc., to discuss this topic, and letting my own view out on it. In one of the glossies here I literary said: 'Fame is empty'. People do not want to hear this message, they'd rather stay indulged on the illusion.

To complete my story, I have to tell you that (after acting in about ten plays by other people, feeling a lot of satisfaction), I have gained the rights from Paulo Coelho to adapt his beautiful book 'Veronika decides to die' for the Dutch theater. It is my dream come true, to make my own theater plays. I am producing and writing it myself, and (of course) I play the part of Veronika. The premier is October 9th, and I couldn't have been happier, working on this terrific material.
It's the work itself that is so fulfilling. It's working with all these magnificent artists (actors, directors, costume designers, art directors etc.) that makes it so worthwhile.
I am very happy to be able to tell that from my own experience now.

I hope my story was of use to you. Please keep on spreading your message of love and joy. In this world, especially the acting world, we get so many other messages, that this cannot be heard enough!

Monique van der Werff (1982) is a Dutch actress. She played the lead in several feature films (Loverboy, Zoop in India, Honeyz) and TV series such as Onderweg naar Morgen (based on Ryan’s Hope), Alex FM and the award-winning children’s series Zoop. Monique has her own statue in the Amsterdam Madame Tussauds Museum. She acted in ten theater plays for different companies (among others: Het Nationale Toneel, Urban Myth and MC). Monique is the co-owner and artistic director of the White Rabbit Theater Foundation, which is currently working on the Dutch theater adaptation of Paulo Coelho’s novel "Veronika decides to die." Paulo Coelho gave her permission to produce the play, write the adaptation and play the part of Veronika. Premiere: October 9th 2010 in De Toneelschuur in Haarlem (The Netherlands), national tour ‘till the end of January 2011. For more information and playlist: www.veronikabesluittesterven.nl

The Solitude of the Winner

2010-08-09T21:56:00.000-04:00

Summer is entering its August lingering and relaxing phase, when we know it will be over soon and we feverishly try to grab the last sun rays. Here in Maine we know it is the last frontier before winter… (Well, almost: I love the October colors too! But there is a old saying that goes; ‘In Maine there are two seasons: July and winter”)

This July I was lucky to be able to read a lot and reflect on my path, purpose, and life by discovering incredible books and articles. I’ll share with you an amazing one:

Paulo Coelho’s new book: The Winner Stands Alone about the ruthless world of Cannes Film Festival

I have been at Cannes Film Festival several times. I even walked the red carpet for a film with Claire Denis, Chocolat. Everything Paulo Coelho says about the Cannes festival and the film business is true. It is so exactly what I once lived through, he could have written about my own story. In this book, he uncovers the most dangerous, destructive and insidious threat an actor can face in the business: the desire to be famous.

Glamour, and fame are the two most vicious demons an actor battles with. I would defy any aspiring actor to say that wanting to be famous never crossed his or her mind. Yet, if you work for that purpose, you will quickly find that it is empty. You will fight years to attain a goal that forever escapes you. It will never be enough. It’s an addiction. If you get wide coverage on your new film, you’ll want the cover of Vogue; you got invited to the Academy Awards? You’ll want a nomination. You got nominated? You’ll want an Oscar. You got an Oscar? You’ll want two, plus the Golden Globe. And when you finally reach what you think is the top, you’ll only find solitude and boredom.

Your purpose as an actor should be so much deeper than fame and glory. It should be a message of love and truth you want to give the world. Whether you choose to show what lack of love can lead to in certain roles, or what love can conquer in others, there should always be a higher purpose in your work. The gift of laughter with a comedy can help a depressed person. A film with a cause can move public opinion and lead to a change of policies. A war movie can denounce horror. Theatre has the same potential depth and you will even have more contact with your public. You don’t have a role? Take your talent to a retirement home or a low-income suburb school. The looks of awe on your audience faces will reward you more than many B-movie contracts.

You, as a performer, have tremendous power to express purpose through your work and change the consciousness of the world. You are the Living Work of Art and the one bringing in the energy that is needed now. Don’t forget that in your next audition. You are not there to become a star, but to shine like one, with the light of God’s will.

Art will save the world.

- Emmanuelle Chaulet, CRPL3 acting coach, energy awareness counselor, author A Balancing Act
http://www.emmanuellechaulet.com

Stage of Wellness: Tech Week Survival Secrets by Patti McCabe

2010-07-31T23:32:00.002-04:00

Another wonderful resource by our guest contributor Patti McCabe!
Stage of Wellness presents:Tech Week Survival Secrets

I am honored to have had the opportunity to begin to share nutrition and wellness information with all of you here. And I am truly excited about some new approaches I am taking to ensure that I am serving you, the performing arts community, in the best way possible. To that end, I am proud to announce the launch of a new name for my Health Coaching practice – Stage of Wellness.

I truly believe that a taking a journey into wellness is like performing on your own personal stage. Whether on stage or off, we all play a unique and important role in this industry. And in that role you have the opportunity to grow, change, overcome challenges, and celebrate successes. This is the same opportunity that performing on your stage of wellness offers you. The difference on this stage, however, is that this particular role must reside within you for a lifetime, rather than for just the duration of a particular production.

I am constantly awed by the support systems that exist in the performing arts community. And so just like an actor needs a director or a director needs a stage manager, I hope that I can be your support system whenever you need my help to achieve the energy you need to live the life you love!

When I am thinking about how I can best be a resource for you, I often consider what my own greatest challenges have been as a Stage Manager. Can you guess the first words which come to mind?

Tech Week!

I have to say that there is nothing more exhilarating for me than seeing a production through this process. The culmination of all of the hard work around the rehearsal process, and the dedication focused towards delivering the absolute best production to an audience. There is nothing more satisfying. There is also nothing more stressful and exhausting. I have no doubt you can relate!

This is why I want you to have my brand new report: The Top 5 Secrets to Surviving Tech Week…without the crash and burn! It is available right now for free on my new website. I invite all of you to join me there and grab your copy today: www.techweeksurvivalsecrets.com

I look forward to being in touch again soon with more tips and resources for you. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions, feedback, or need support!

Patti McCabe is a Certified Holistic Health Coach whose mission is to help the performing arts community learn how to achieve the energy they need to live the lives they love! She received her training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City and is accredited through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She leads workshops on health and nutrition, and offers both individual and group counseling services in person and by phone. Learn more at www.techweeksurvivalsecrets.com.

Avoiding BURNOUT in Summerstock

2010-07-14T09:20:00.006-04:00

Rotating three or four shows per week, sometimes playing in two shows per day, 6 days a week is a usual schedule in summer stock theatre. It can be cruelly demanding and stress building to the point of exhaustion.
How do you avoid burnout when the schedule barely allows you to sleep?

Here are simple tricks that can make up for the lack of sleep and that will truly diminish your stress level.

-First rule: eat well:
Drink plenty of water and feed your body with good fuel. No junk food allowed!
You want to give yourself all the proteins your body craves and plenty of good nutrients to replenish and energize yourself
See Patti McCabe's column and blog for that.

- Second rule: ease lack of sleep by a short relaxation before bed:
In 15 minutes of deep meditative relaxation you can replenish your body of the missing sleep.
Lie down in a quiet space, in silence or with relaxing music. Concentrate on your breathing. Take deep cleansing breaths. Start by relaxing the top of your head, inhaling clearing energy and exhaling stress you want to release. Gently breathe in and out, and move down to your forehead, then your eyes, eyelids, throat, lips, and neck. Then move to your shoulders and your chest area.

When focusing on your heart, think about a place, a pet or a person that you feel grateful for. Feelings of gratitude have an immediate effect on your nervous system. When you feel grateful your body releases hormones that calm your nerves, and your heart beat slows down. The coherence of your heart beat improves. your immune system strengthens. (FMI about heart coherence and scientific research, check Heartmath.org).

Then move to your solar plexus, and your lower abdomen. Finish by going down your legs, and the sole of your feet. imagine stress leaving from the sole of your feet, dissipating and transmuting in space.
When your attention wanders, gently bring it back to your breath and body.

Finally, imagine a bubble of colors surrounding you. You are bathing in it. Perceive it is a cocoon that can recharge and regenerate your cells. Feel it, sense it, and absorb its benefits for as long as you want.

Finally, open your eyes. You should feel refreshed and regenerated.

Emmanuelle Chaulet
Energy Awareness Counselor, acting coach
Author, A BALANCING ACT

To Boot or Not to Boot? That is the question

2010-05-31T11:15:00.002-04:00

So you think a BOOT CAMP will develop your creativity, sensitivity, sensory awareness and subtle energy presence on stage?

I happen to think that actors need the exact opposite: gentle, positive, relaxing, nurturing of your instrument; and a mind, body, spirit connection. You ARE after all, the work of art.
So, let's say you are a musician; would you send your Steinway or Stradivarius to a boot camp for tuning? Would you want the tuner of your instrument to bang on the keys violently or to use force when repairing your delicate instrument? Of course not! You'd want them to take good care of it and be gentle, respectlful, loving so they tune it to its highest potential. It's time to do the same with your instrument-self.

Use self-love, self-appreciation, and self-esteem development techniques...Tune and clear your body and mind gently, lovingly. Use yoga, stretching and visualizations and energy relaxation exercises. Enfold your emotional range with safety and stress relief techniques. Learn the anatomy of your emotional and energy system to better manage the highs and the lows. Discover ways to recuperate your strength your energy and your power. Reclaim your creative self, reclaim your Artist within.

In order to do this your approach must be loving, caring, and appreciative. You must be indulgent and understanding. You must listen to your selves, to the voices within. You need to take the time and allow the space for your inner artist to enfold his wings.

You need to listen within.

Each of you, artist, is unique, precious and fragile too. Like flowers, sunsets or rainbows, you illuminate when you perform, yet your works of art are always changing and ephemeral.

Your training must take this into consideration. You are a living work of art.

FMI about how to use these self-development techniques on your own, read my book A BALANCING ACT and visit http://www.starlightacting.org
or contact me.

Emmanuelle Chaulet, acting coach

Manage your Talent! Bring your career to the next level of success

2010-04-21T08:25:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends,

On Friday, I was teaching a couple of workshops titled "YOU WANT TO BE A STAR; NOW WHAT?" at the New England Drama Festival and talked about tips to promote and manage yourself as an actor in New England. I thought I should share them with you all:

THE FIRST TIP is PROMOTE YOURSELF ONLINE:

Professional actors know this too well: even though you are an artist, you must promote yourself as a business. Your business cards are of course, headshots and resumes, but the twentieth century way to marketing and promotion is through the web and social networks.
It's efficient, it's free, it's easy, fun, time consuming, but you can do it in your PJ with a hot cup of tea or coffee.. ;=) and it is the way to go!

So, which networks are good for actors? The answer is MANY. Most of them are free, except as noted.

-Facebook of course (free): but only if you use it PROFESSIONALLY and not to post fun pictures of yourself going wild at parties...it could backfire the day you become well known, or simply if the director of this fantastic show you auditioned for, ends up looking at your Facebook profile and reviews its first impression of you when he sees that picture... check this very interesting article about FACEBOOK BEHAVIOR GOING BAD..

When Facebook Behavior Goes Bad

-Actors groups on Facebook (free); there are dozens...some announce castings and auditions, or workshops, others offer advice.

Note: ANPACT: the Association for the New Paradigm in Acting and Creative Techniques which I co-founded, offers workshop announcements about these techniques. http://www.anpact.org/

-Lindedin and its actors groups (free) (Actor's Network, Actors and Casting Directors, ANPACT etc..) www.linkedin.com

-Backstage: http://casting.backstage.com/
THE national source for casting and jobs. You can subscribe for a fee, but it is THE source of info.

-Backstage Maine (free): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackStage-Maine/

-Between Gigs (free): postings of auditions and castings in New England: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BetweenGigsCasting/

-NEW ENGLAND ACTORS (free for now) this is a fantastic network where you can post a profile with pictures and resume (needs to be absolutely PROFESSIONAL or it will be deleted) http://neactor.ning.com/

-THEATRE FACE (free): another network with more tech people: http://www.theatreface.com/

-Stage Source Boston, a membership organization which has a database of actors: http://www.stagesource.org/

There are many, many more...

Next tip is GET ORGANIZED!

If you submit only two or three pictures/resume a day either by regular mail or electronically, to two or three projects, you will soon get overwhelmed if you do not keep track of the responses, call backs, phone conversations with the assistants, names of the secretaries etc...
The old fashion way to keep track is to do a 'submission sheet' for each project, on which you write all the info: title of project, names of directors, assistants, tel, emails, websites, what they said, what the audition was about, etc; and have a submission binder.

However, if you want keep in sync with your time, you should do it electronically, anywhere, on your Iphone, computer or blackberry...
That's when you invest in PERFORMER TRACK an amazing tool for professional actors to track their business, and jobs, even their finances for tax credit purposes... It is web based, can be accessed anywhere and it only costs $9.95 a month. It is one of the best investments you'll make to go to the next level of professionalism.
http://www.performertrack.com/
YOU CAN USE THE PROMOTIONAL CODE: 'FREC9' to get a $20 discount.
Insert it in the Coupon code field discount box at check out.

Next week we'll talk about Preparing for Auditions and Audition behavior.

This is just the first of a series of articles called "Manage your Talent"
I invite you to contact me personally, for more tips, or individualized coaching (in person or by phone).
I am taking on new talents, emerging talents, or professional performers who simply want to move their career up to a next level.

Talent Management Coaching is by the hour ($50 for students/$65 professionals) or by percentage with a Talent Management contract.

FMI: http://www.emmanuellechaulet.com/services.html
info@emmanuellechaulet.com

ALSO I will teach a class on this topic (The Business of Acting) in the spring of 2011 at the University of Southern Maine. Stay tuned...

and as always, I offer individual ENERGIZE sessions to clear your instrument to the next level of creative potential and stage presence:
http://www.starlightacting.org/IndividualSessions/IndividualSessions.html

Take great care of your beautiful Artist Selves,

Emmanuelle Chaulet

Spring is for Water; Hydrate for Health, by Patti McCabe

2010-04-16T14:34:00.000-04:00

Our monthly column from our Certified Holistic Health Counselor and nutritionist, and theatre stage manager extraordinaire:

As a Stage Manager, I always make sure there is plenty of fresh water in the rehearsal room and backstage for performances. But I’m not surprised to find that I’m more often thinking about refilling the supply at the coffee station!

Most of us are aware of the importance of drinking enough water. Getting our daily dose of water helps our organs perform their functions, keeps our skin clear and hydrated, and allows physical action in our bodies to flow smoothly. Even with this knowledge, it can still be challenging to drink all the water our bodies deserve daily. In the warmer months, when we tend to play hard, sweat and spend prolonged time in the sun, drinking plenty of water is critical. Those who are not drinking enough may experience poor digestion, sluggish thinking, skin breakouts, headaches, bad breath and general fatigue.

To start your day right, set a large glass of water by your bed each night and drink it when you wake up. Drinking water first thing in the morning pulls out toxins from the previous day and freshens your system for the day ahead. Keep a bottle of water accessible throughout the day, whether you are on the go or at a desk. Having a bottle of water close by will remind you to take a sip when thirsty. The first sip will usually let you know how much more water you need. A sip or two may be enough, or you may need a big glass. If you drink most of your daily water before early evening, you most likely will not be thirsty before bed. This is good, because drinking before bed and then waking to use the bathroom disturbs your peaceful night’s sleep.

Many people are also surprised to learn that dehydration can be a main cause of sugar cravings. Sometimes we think we are hungry when what our bodies really need is water. So the next time you find yourself reaching for that candy bar (especially when you know you don’t want it but think you need it), try drinking a glass of water first. Not only will you be allowing yourself a moment to become more conscious of your craving, but you may just find that you are better able to satisfy what your body truly needs.

What about quality? Some people like bottled water, while others prefer filtered water. The key is to like the taste of the water you are drinking, and the water should agree with your body. If the taste of plain water is unappealing, experiment to see how you can make it tasty and drinkable. Try adding a few mint leaves, a wedge of lemon, a sprig of parsley, slices of cucumber, a twist of lime or a squeeze of orange to make water more tempting, or to jazz up your routine. Also, drinking tea or juice and eating raw fruits and vegetables contribute to the hydration process.

As the sun starts to warm up, set the stage now for a more hydrated you. Try some of these tips to add more water into your daily routine, and feel your health and energy levels soar into the coming season!

Patti McCabe is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor who specializes in helping the performing arts community get more out of their lives by getting more out of their food. She received her training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City and is accredited through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She leads workshops on health and nutrition, and offers both individual and group counseling services in person and by phone. More information at www.pattimccabe.com and http://pattimccabe.wordpress.com

Spring Upward! Raise Your Vibration

2010-03-28T16:32:00.003-04:00

Dear Friends,

Spring is here!
We finally are able to come out of hiding and expand, leaving behind the dust and grit of winter..
Crocuses and daffodils are springing out of the ground, Tentative rays of sunshine warm our faces.
Spring means, at the same time leaping forward or upward and also 'a source of water.' Water is the flow, the breath, Life, Light. Water reflects emotions and thoughts as Dr. Emoto showed us in "Messages From Water"
Spring is the renewal, the detoxing of our deep cells, of our thoughts and of our souls.

Springing upward also means raising our vibration.
Many people wonder how to raise their vibrations.
It is a very subtle change in the energy field, yet it is unmistakable. It is the feeling of the diver going down to the bottom of the pool to then kick back up to the surface with a slight push. It is the sensation of the athlete jumping high over an obstacle, the emotion of the singer reaching the high note, or the sensation of accomplishment given by the perfect movement of the dancer.

Raising your vibration is the feeling of being "in the zone," with perfect timing, high creativity, hyper awareness, great intuition and pure joy.
But, you'll ask: How do you get that sensation systematically? Practice, practice, practice!

Where do you start?

-First notice: Next time your vibration is naturally high, try to make a note of what it feels like; observe yourself, note what brought you there. Perhaps it is a walk on the beach or a hike up a mountain. When you are in that perfect state, everything flows naturally, easily, and your judgment is sharp, accurate, your energy is high and your joy is intense. But it is a hard thing to remember as memory does not span vibration. However, the more aware you are, the better your body will be able to recall that sensation later.

-Then, repeat: When your vibration is high, your whole energy system is working perfectly. The energy system is like a pipe line system. If the flow of energy is blocked somewhere, you will feel it everywhere. The same way that if in your house the plumbing is clogged in the kitchen, it will sometimes overflow in the bathroom as well. Energy clearing is done though meditation, focused intention on the clearing of the chakras and aura, and with a solid foundation of self-love.

For energy to flow freely everywhere, the whole system must be clear. It means, that your whole body must be clear. Therefore, the 4 pillars of health, nutrition, sleep, physical activity, and energy clearing, all work in unison, like the cords of a guitar, need to all be in tune for the final accord to be harmonious.
This is why a high vibration is at the same time the result of good sleep, good nutrition, physical activity and regular energy clearing.

Practice practice practice, it will become easier as time goes on..

So spring forward to a high vibration,
Happiness and radiance are awaiting.
Emmanuelle Chaulet,

Emmanuelle Chaulet
Starlight Acting Institute, director

Energize! a holistic approach to acting
http://www.starlightacting.org

ONGOING:

-INDIVIDUAL ENERGY CLEARING/COACHING SESSIONS WITH EMMANUELLE CHAULET
by phone or in person, by appointment at Holistic Pathways, Gorham Village, Maine.
90 minutes sessions - student rates.
FMI:
http://www.starlightacting.org/IndividualSessions/IndividualSessions.html

-WEEKEND RETREATS IN MAY & JUNE:
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS APRIL 1
Performers: SPRING FORWARD!

Going beyond where Michael Chekhov left off, A TRANSFORMATIVE EVENT IN YOUR PERFORMANCE CAREER.

Solo or Duo Weekend Retreats on the week-end of your choice A LA CARTE between May 15 and June 15 in Gorham village, Maine:

GET READY FOR SUMMER STOCK

UNLEASH YOUR STAR POWER

Learn to charge up on energy, to radiate and expand your stage presence, to balance and clear your system for better performance. Renew, Recharge, Recover, Radiate...

Two days personalized for YOU and filled with: Energy Awareness for performers, energy clearing and private coaching with Emmanuelle Chaulet + massage, zumba, yoga, meditation, and retreat time to get you ready to hit the stage....

In addition, receive a copy of the unique book A BALANCING ACT, by Emmanuelle Chaulet and a personalized plan for your life and career.

A UNIQUE RETREAT FOR UNIQUE ARTISTS...

REGISTER BEFORE APRIL 1:

FMI : http://www.starlightacting.org/Retreats/Retreats.html

energize@starlightacting.org

Tuition: $445 students ($495 regular)
Rate increase of $25 after April 1.

Jeremy RENNER Academy Award Nominee for BEST ACTOR talks about Performance Stress

2010-02-25T10:06:00.001-05:00

Interviewed by Terry Gross on Fresh Air yesterday: listen to the whole interview here

GROSS: Now, when you were interviewed on ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, you mentioned that you had a few breakdown moments, but you had them privately in your hotel room. What caused them?

Mr. RENNER: Well, the strain - the physical strain was a first. And then it went to a mental strain, spiritual strain, in the sense of, you know, coming from California and having no experiences in the Middle East, and then it being during Ramadan, and just all - it was compiled, a thousand things compiled. And I just tried to hold it together and hold it together and hold it together. And then every once in a while, I have to go home with a bottle of wine and fully decompress. And sometimes, I just came out in a mental breakdown in a lot of ways.

Getting up there… Stage Confidence, Stage Presence

2010-02-11T21:05:00.000-05:00

Before an audition or a performance do you think about yourself in a positive light, or do you think that you are not right for the part? Do you doubt yourself, or are you over-confident? Do you think about what THEY want, what THEY will think, what THEY will expect? (THEY, being the casting directors, the audience, the directors, the reviewers…)
Do you focus your energy on everything you need to be and become for THEM? (the look, the body language, the voice, the talk, etc.)
Or do you go up there and give it your best shot without worrying about the outcome?

I used to worry about all of this and was terrified at the immensity of the task at hand. How could I become a perfect fit for all the expectations these people had of me? How could I fulfill their ideas, dreams and anticipations? How could I fulfill the expectations of my teachers, my agents, my parents, my partners, and of myself? Then, of course with so many demands on my shoulders, I would shut down and do a mediocre job.
Others, on the opposite, will be overly confident and over do it, coming off obnoxious or cocky. But arrogance is a form of insecurity too. It is its polar opposite.

So, how do you prepare yourself to come off at ease, relaxed and simply present on stage?

The answer is simple and complex at the same time, and I used to hate it when someone would tell me, “ just be yourself!” What does it mean? I have many selves, don’t you? I am an actress after all, a chameleon… Just being myself did not mean anything to me then, until I finally understood what it meant. It means, “just be present.”

Your presence, the “Who You Are,” or “Who I Am,” is simply revealed when you completely connect with the present moment. It is the feeling that happens when you bypass the chatter in your brain, the questions, “what will they think? What do I look like now? Did this sound good?” It is about letting go of the “I am watching myself,” to simply connect with the “ I AM.” There, that is it. Simple and beautiful, and hard at the same time.

It takes practice and self-control to connect with our “I AM” and quiet the chatter brain. It takes mindfulness, contemplation, stillness, patience and great compassion for ourselves. It takes self-care and self-love. It takes a connection with our source of inspiration and energy. It takes humility and surrender to a force greater than us. It takes a regular exploration of our Highest Creative Self and a let go of our smaller Ego self. It takes practice.

But it is your true way to shine on stage.

It is what will help you shine through your true presence, your true charisma, your true soul. It is what stars are made of.

So next time you "go up there," try to simply "be there"...

Emmanuelle Chaulet

Emmanuelle Chaulet is an acting coach, a holistic acting practitioner, CRPL3, adjunct faculty at the University of Southern Maine, Fulbright scholar and author of A BALANCING ACT. She is the founder and director of Starlight Acting Institute, which offers individual sessions, workshops and retreats. http://www.starlightacting.org
She can be contacted at: energize@starlightacting.org

Open the GATE! Actor Jim Carrey and others speak about spiritual awakening in the Entertainment Industry

2010-02-06T14:51:00.000-05:00

At an inaugural meeting of a new organization called, the Global Alliance for Transformational Entertainment (GATE) founded by John Raatz of the Visioneering Group, actor Jim Carrey reveals he had a moment of awakening and enlightment.

GATE hopes to support media and entertainment professionals use the power of the media for positive change and transformation in the world creating a network and a community of professionals committed to furthering global awakening through Entertainment and Media.

Peter Shiao, CEO of the Orb Media Group and one of the speakers at the event said. "We create images that people all over the world see as reality. With that power comes responsibility. This is about delivering rich transformational experiences that people want to pay money for."

As actors and performing artists you too have a responsibility... Seize the day and start transforming the world by transforming your inner-self...

See the complete article and a video at THE EXAMINER

Putting the Spotlight on Healthy Fats, by Patti McCabe

2010-01-24T18:08:00.003-05:00

It’s the half hour call and you are exhausted. How are you going to make it through the performance tonight? Like a ray of sunshine, someone brings you…what? A cup of coffee? Soda? Red Bull? Candy bar? Whatever it is, it’s your salvation of the moment.   Sound familiar? Believe me, I know the drill.   The problem is that the effects of caffeine and sugar are short lived. So how often do you find that you are back to where you started by the time intermission comes around?   The trick becomes finding a daily routine that supports you all the way to curtain call, thus eliminating the need for quick fixes that can have a detrimental impact on your short and long term health.

I have previously discussed the benefits of increasing your consumption of whole foods and decreasing processed and junk foods. Whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables will give you longer, more sustained energy. But in this post, I want to focus on another area, one that has become quite a hot topic in our society - especially given the prevalence of obesity issues. While a low-fat diet seems to have become one to be admired and emulated to improve health, the truth is we’ve become so obsessed with lowering our fat intake that we are missing out on the incredible benefits that healthy fats do provide.

Not all oils and fats are created equal. Heavily processed, hydrogenated, “trans” fats and oils that are used in prepared, packaged foods can be extremely damaging to the body. However, fats and oils from whole foods and other high-quality sources can steady our metabolism, keep hormone levels even, nourish our skin, hair and nails and provide lubrication to keep the body functioning fluidly. Our bodies also need fat for insulation and to protect and hold our organs in place.

A healthy percentage of high-quality fat in a meal satisfies and leaves feelings of energy, fulfillment and warmth. When there are excess fats and oils in the diet, especially heavily processed fats, symptoms can include weight gain, skin breakouts, high blood pressure, liver strain and an overall feeling of mental, physical and emotional heaviness. Signs of insufficient high-quality fats are brittle hair and nails, dry skin, hunger after meals and feeling cold.

There are many sources of healthy fats and oils. For sautéing and baking, try butter, ghee (clarified butter) or coconut oil because they do not break down when used at high temperatures. When sautéing foods at moderate temperatures, try organic extra virgin olive oil. Oils like flaxseed, sesame, toasted sesame, walnut and pumpkin seed are best used unheated in sauces or dressings on top of salads, veggies or grains. Other healthy fats are found in whole nuts and seeds and in their butters like almond butter or tahini. Whole foods such as avocados, olives and coconuts are great sources of healthy fat, along with wild salmon and omega-3 and omega-6 organic eggs.

When selecting oils, buy the highest-quality organic products you can afford, since cooking oils are the backbone of so many dishes. Good words to look for on the label are organic, first-pressed, cold-pressed, extra-virgin and unrefined. Words to avoid are expeller-pressed, refined and solvent extracted.

So, when you are reaching for a snack for a quick pick me up before a performance, consider these options:
•    A few cups of popcorn tossed with olive oil and sea salt
•    Apples and Cashew butter
•    Celery and Almond butter
•    Plain avocado or Whole Grain chips with guacamole
•    Salad tossed with flaxseed oil

I encourage you to experiment with these healthy fat sources and see which work best for you and leave you satisfied. By nourishing your body this way on a regular basis, you will start giving it the boost it needs to maintain optimal function on stage AND off.

Patti McCabe is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor who specializes in helping the performing arts community get more out of their lives by getting more out of their food. She received her training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City and is accredited through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She leads workshops on health and nutrition, and offers both individual and group counseling services in person and by phone. More information at www.pattimccabe.com and http://pattimccabe.wordpress.com

Great Review in the NEW ENGLAND THEATRE JOURNAL!

2010-01-17T09:42:00.001-05:00

I am thrilled that A BALANCING ACT just received a wonderful review in the highly respected New England Theatre Journal, a scholarly publication by the New England Theatre Conference.

My favorite sentences are:

" Chaulet readily concedes that she has picked up the trail where others ceased blazing, but she is deft in weaving the ideas together into a relevant system" ...

" Plainly, Chaulet makes her case. The craft of acting has had an unspoken need for a system that dedicates itself solely to balancing who we are with who we are required to become.The structure of Energize! is accessible because it provides an overview of various holistic centering techniques, and successful because it serves as a solid launching platform for those who want to develop their own pre- and post-performance rituals with further research."

By J.J. Cobb, Eastern Connecticut State University

You can get copies of the journal by contacting the New England Theatre Conference

Eric Rohmer, 'New Wave' master, dies yesterday at age 89

2010-01-12T15:34:00.000-05:00

Eric Rohmer left us yesterday...
In my memory remain long afternoons of delicate conversations while sipping tea, in the tireless pursuit of the understanding of the birth of feelings and love.
Weaving the subtle fabric which makes emotions and feelings, Eric Rohmer was, and will remain, a true writer at the camera.

Emmanuelle Chaulet
(Blanche, "Boyfriends & Girlfriends")

Happy New Year 2010! This Year, Make the Shift...

2010-01-02T15:26:00.000-05:00

2010 is the start of a powerful expansion time, with a realignment of many institutions, organizations, ideas and people. 2010 is opening for all of us the chance to finally raise the planet’s vibration to a level of understanding of the world where the small ego does not rule anymore.

We are ready! We are ready to move from our fearful small self to our Highest Creative and Compassionate Loving Self. Human beings are capable of many things, from the best to the worst. This constitutes our beauty and our strength as well as our most terrible weakness. We are now ready to power upward and reach our highest potential for the highest good of all.

Are you ready to do the necessary work on yourself to be part of the greatest transformation of the planet? Are you ready to change your ways in order to help the global shift?

Reconnect with your creative artist mission,
Listen to your soul,
There is bliss in doing what you are meant to do!

Starlight Acting Institute is here to help you raise your vibration, reach your highest creative potential, recover your energetic balance and reconnect with your creative self. Visit our beautiful new website and check our new offerings for Individual Energize Sessions and Solo Retreat Programs for all creative souls and performing artists.

This year, make the shift…

In Love and Light,

Emmanuelle Chaulet
Starlight Acting Institute, director and founder
http://www.starlightacting.org

January Specials:

Mention the promotional code 01/02/2010 and get the student rate for Energize Individual Sessions (in January only).
or
Choose a “Creative Soul” Reconnection Package: 3 sessions for $201.00 instead of $240 (a saving of $39!) Sessions from this package can be taken until the end of March 2010.

Gift Yourself With an Energy Refill This Holiday Season

2009-12-17T10:11:00.015-05:00

Are you burned out?

Have you worked so hard and performed so much this fall season that you'd rather crawl in bed until spring?

Perfoming is fun, but it often takes its toll on one's energy and stamina. Burnout is a frequent consequence of too many long hours in rehearsals, late nights, and stressful moments on stage or in a film set, or at auditions.

As a performing artist you constantly put yourself on the line, feel constantly being judged, and are repeatedly being challenged to go to new levels.

You ARE embodying the Work of Art, your body, your voice, your emotions and your spirit are what makes the show; and the show must always go on whether you are in shape or not. It is normal to sometimes feel overwhelmed and tired. Unfortunately, burnout is rarely acknowleged by performing arts schools. Good nutrition, exercise and sleep will help for sure, but often it will not be enough to give you a complete sensation of recharging of your inner-batteries.

The good news is that there are very powerful and efficient ways to recover quickly so you can be ready again for the upcoming JANUARY CASTING SEASON. Energy work is one of these powerful, quick and efficient ways to replenish your depleted energy.

Emmanuelle Chaulet (CRPL3, Energy Awareness Counselor, and Reiki practitioner) offers ENERGIZE Clearing and Coaching sessions for performing artists and creative souls.

ENERGIZE sessions clear, repair and align the energy system and help performers reach their highest creative potential as well as rebalance their emotions and energy system after performance. They are also perfect for healing performance anxiety, post-performance stress, creativity blocks and self-esteem issues or to reclaim your Highest Creative Self, your true emotional balance and develop deeper connections with your character.

Emmanuelle is a Certified RYSE® Practitioner Level III (CRPL3) graduate of SPATECH Institute and uses RYSE® as well as other energy healing modalities.

A clearing session lasts about 90 minutes.
A combo session (clearing/coaching) lasts about 2 hours.

Student discounted rates are extended to all performers until January 1!

Sessions are held by appointment at HOLISTIC PATHWAYS in Gorham, Maine and also available by phone and via distance modality.

To Gift yourself with a session (or ask for a gift certificate for the holidays) contact Emmanuelle Chaulet

ACTORS HAVE POWER says Robert De Niro, so USE it! says Emmanuelle Chaulet

2009-12-07T10:05:00.001-05:00

From Entertainement headline
to see the complete article click here:
De Niro: Actors have a lot of power in industry

07/12/2009 -

"The 66-year-old actor believes making movies has radically changed since he first started working because individual stars have so much power over what projects get given the go-ahead.

He said: "The young actors today have the power to make the decisions on the kinds of movies they want to do, because people want to see them. It's up to them really. I don't want to make it so heavy as to say they carry the responsibility, but they make those choices. "

I would argue that yes, they carry the responsibility to influence project so that the film not only entertains but challenges, teaches and raises the consciousness of the viewer..
YOU ARE POWERFUL ENOUGH TO CHANGE THE WORLD! and we need you to use this power NOW!
For more info about changing your attitude and belief to find and use your highest creative potential, read A BALANCING ACT

Emmanuelle Chaulet
author, acting coach, director

Announcing Patti McCabe's Monthly Nutrition Column:

2009-12-02T18:50:00.001-05:00

We are delighted to announce that Patti McCabe will now write a monthly column on nutrition for the performing artist!

Patti McCabe is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor who specializes in working with the performing arts community. She received her training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City and is accredited through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She leads workshops on health and nutrition, and offers both individual and group counseling services in person and by phone. More information at www.pattimccabe.com and http://pattimccabe.wordpress.com

December 2009:

Refueling the Rehearsal Day

Rehearsal days can be long and demand a lot of energy, focus, and attention – emotionally and physically. We certainly need to eat to keep ourselves well fueled, but having recently stage managed a show after a bit of a hiatus I was reminded of how easy it can be to default to a junk food and vending machine diet. I’ll be honest and say that I succumbed myself on more than one occasion, and while I believe whole heartedly in not wasting a lot of time regretting specific food choices in the short term – wow did I regret those choices! Not because I considered myself a bad person for making them, but because I could absolutely feel the difference in how my body responded as opposed to how I feel after making healthier choices. Many of us are eating just to keep hunger at bay until the next 10 minute break. But the sugar, fat, and salt contained in junk foods are simply empty calories lacking the vitamins and minerals our bodies need to maintain peak performance. By eating these foods to survive the rehearsal day, we are actually negatively impacting our ability to sustain our productivity for the director and fellow cast members.

When we fuel our bodies and our minds with fresh, whole foods – everything changes. Our energy levels stay higher, our minds sharper, and our emotions more stable. Here are some quick, healthier, snack options that you won’t find in a vending machine, but they take little to no time to prepare at home with your own ingredients – and you will save money to boot!

•    Cut up veggies (like baby carrots) and whole grain crackers with hummus

•    Rice cakes with nut butters

•    Dried Fruits

•    Nuts and Seeds

•    Fresh, whole fruit

•    Edamame with sea salt

•    Whole Grain tortilla chips with salsa

•    Popcorn (a whole grain, but try it plain or tossed with olive oil and sea salt instead of packaged versions containing too much butter and artificial flavorings)

•    Yogurt (to avoid the refined sugar in sweetened products, try plain mixed with fruit, nuts, and a little honey)

•    Avocados

If you don’t have time to pack your own food, take note of health food stores or cafes near your rehearsal space where you can get fresh fruit smoothies, vegetable juices, or pick up something from this list on your way.

Here’s a challenge - try replacing your usual rehearsal day snacks with ones you enjoy from this list for a week and notice the difference. You can even try keeping a food journal – write down what you eat during the day and how it makes you feel right after and then again two hours later. A food journal is an amazing tool to start becoming more conscious of how the foods you eat affect you.   Get support and motivation by sharing your experiences here!

Wishing you happy, healthy rehearsal days until my next post! ☺

THE FOUR PILLARS OF HEALTH

2009-11-15T08:36:00.007-05:00

I was teaching a workshop this weekend at the NETC conference in Sturbridge and we discussed what kind of support a young actor needs to sustain the ruthless rhythm of rehearsals until midnight while going to school full time and getting up early to catch the 7 am school bus. No time to pack lunch or dinner, not enough sleep, not enough rest... sounds familiar? All of this packed with the ever-flying emotions of being in a show, new friends, pressure, expectations, tension, stress...and homework...
Leading to sure burnout and emotional distress when all of it is over...

So what can you do?

The four pillar of health are Nutrition, Sleep, Exercise and Self Love. Without one of these pillars, your whole foundation will collapse and your house fall down...

NUTRITION: Patti will soon write more on nutrition for rehearsals but if you dont' have the time to pack lunch or dinner, you can always get the 'grab and go' drinkable meal supplements. They are filled with vitamins and will be better than pizzas!. Watch the sugar content, use the natural ones, and choose the ones that do not have caffeine. You can get a 6 pack for your week of nightly rehearsals ahead of time.. add a banana, a granola bar.. and it can replace (for a few days) a healthy meal and will not take room in your school backpack.

Drink plenty of fluids, (water, not sodas!) and get a good breakfast to start your day.

SLEEP: you need sleep! 8 hours... if you cannot get it in one shot, try cat naps, and short relaxations in your day (5 minutes each) they can refuel your energy even if your night is too short. Catch up on sleep when you can...

EXERCISE: it is important to daily fit at least a short walk outside, a yoga stretch, a zumba dance, a running or bicycle ride... whatever is quick and easy. Oxygen is important when you spend your time in a rehearsal room. So bunddle up and go out! You will feel refreshed, revitalized and you will act better...

SELF-LOVE: When you put yourself on the line everyday by being onstage and performing in front of people, it is important to spend time to appreciate yourself. Your body (and soul) is the instrument you play. CARE for it with love and appreciation, as if you were the Steinway or the Stradivarius.. YOU ARE THE WORK OF ART, YOU BECOME THE WORK OF ART..
So dare to be introvert: you might need time alone, to recharge, you might need to write in a journal, listen to music you love, or take a long bath. You might need to play with your pet, take a walk, read a book... do what feels good as long as it is healthy.
You will recharge your energy and feel more confident later on stage...

To go further read the book A BALANCING ACT

Emmanuelle Chaulet,
RP III, acting coach, energy awareness counselor

THE WHOLE SOLUTION

2009-11-11T15:11:00.004-05:00

by Patti McCabe, Certified Holistic Health Counselor

I have worked as a Production Stage Manager for a long time, and I know all too well the challenges we face in the theater industry (onstage and backstage) with eating on the run and trying to keep up our energy levels through long days of auditions, rehearsals, and performances. The trouble we get into is that we are often looking to artificial sources of energy to keep us going through the day. Caffeine, sugar, junk food, processed foods. These all give us something in the moment, but how long does it take for the rush to wear off and leave you craving for that next fix? And if we know this to be a problem, how do we break the cycle?

The first step is to start to understand the benefits of whole foods. Most people have heard about the concept of simple vs. complex carbohydrates, but they can’t really describe the difference. Carbohydrates have gotten a bad rap in recent years, but the truth is not all carbs are created equal.

Simple carbohydrates have short chains of sugar that break down quickly in the body. Your body works overtime trying to burn up this extra sugar it doesn’t need. This is what causes that all too familiar sugar rush, but once it’s burned up we are left to simply crash. Even worse, the excess sugar gets stored as fat. Simple carbs include processed foods, white flours and breads, cakes, cookies, etc.

Complex carbohydrates have long chains of sugar that are bound within the food’s fiber. The sugar releases more slowly into your blood stream, giving you sustained energy and leaving you feeling full longer. Complex carbs are those found in nature like vegetables and whole grains.

So let’s start with whole grains, which are an amazing source of essential enzymes, vitamins B and E, iron, and dietary fiber. They are also cheap (especially if you purchase from the bulk section of your grocery store) and keep very well in the fridge to have on hand for a variety of delicious, inexpensive, quick to prepare meals. All things I know are important to us when working on a budget and always on the run!

A personal favorite is Quinoa, which is one of the fastest cooking and healthiest of all the grains. It contains all eight amino acids, making it a complete protein. There are many amazing ways to prepare quinoa. I love starting the day with a healthy, hearty breakfast that I know will keep me full and energized for a long time. Try trading in this recipe for your usual sugary cereal or donuts and feel the difference!

Warm Quinoa Breakfast Cereal
(Adapted from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition)

Yields 1-2 servings

Ingredients:
1 cup pre-cooked quinoa
1/2-3/4 cup milk or dairy alternative (depending on the consistency you like)
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup golden raisins (or other dried fruit)
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (or other nuts/seeds)

• Place prepared or leftover quinoa in a sauce pan.
• Add milk, honey, cinnamon and raisins.
• Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until the cereal thickens slightly.
• Garnish with nuts or seeds

Patti McCabe is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor who specializes in working with the performing arts community. She received her training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City and is accredited through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She leads workshops on health and nutrition, and offers both individual and group counseling services in person and by phone. More information at www.pattimccabe.com and http://pattimccabe.wordpress.com

Workshop: Energy Techniques for Character Development:

2009-10-01T17:10:00.002-04:00

Upcoming afternoon workshop with Emmanuelle Chaulet,

Energy Techniques for Character Development:

Introduction: The Mind/body/spirit connection.

Energy awareness, Pre-performance stress analysis, pre-show preparation meditation and focusing, visualization. Reclaiming your highest creative potential. Lecture and exercises

Characters’ Vibration and Blueprint: a new way to develop your character

Listening to the character, peak performance visualization, character blueprint, luminous cord, dual consciousness, letting the character lead. Lecture and exercises.

Sub-Personality Work: the Voices in our Head: Tuning into the Actors’ Inner Facets.

Archetypes, voice dialogue, sub-personalities Choosing the best vessel. Tuning the antenna. Lecture and exercises.

Please note: this is not a beginner acting class

Tuition: $75 (includes a free copy of A BALANCING ACT a $24.95 value)

Location: Acorn Studios, Dana Warp Mill, Westbrook, Maine.

Date: October 25: 1 pm - 5 pm

Pre-registration required before October 20 (send an email to: mailto:energize@starlightacting.org

and we will send you the link to register)

Check our two new websites!

http://www.emmanuellechaulet.com

http://www.starlightactingbooks.starlightacting.org

Fall 09 Energize e-news letter:

2009-10-01T17:05:00.003-04:00

Dear Friends,

Fall just surprised us last week and we only have a few more weeks before the annual change away from daylight saving time, scheduled on November 1… Readjusting to darkness falling early is always a challenge for us up in Maine!

But looking at the ‘bright’ side of things ;=) we’ll get longer evenings, sitting by the fire or the stove, for writing, reading, knitting, storytelling, playing, rehearsing, watching good movies or plays, dancing, and for simply being…

Upcoming is a time of reflection inward and re-aligning to our inner-world. 2009 was a trying year for many. The earth is changing rapidly and we are called to adjust and re-align without question, or we will simply no longer be. It is now clear that we cannot continue on the path of self-destruction. As Eckhart Tolle justly points out: “we are running out of time!” The recent planetary catastrophes (tsunami again, along with earthquakes and various shifts) do not give us mixed messages, but say to us loud and clear: change!

So what are you willing to change? What are your new life-guiding principles going to be? Are you ready to walk the talk?

As you already know from your various acting teachers: actors should be able to walk and talk at the same time! The time has come to make the commitment to realign your beautiful selves and raise your vibrations so you can show the way to others. As actors, directors, performers, you have a responsibility to the world: the responsibility to show, demonstrate, educate, and teach, so the world can evolve to a better more peaceful place. You are so much more than entertainers: you are what Derek Rydall calls “Enlightened Entertainers.” You are the new “saltimbanques” (traveling acrobats) of the Italian and Molière traditions of theatre: you are the precious instruments of the change at hand and you are walking the tight rope of its creation.

So look-up, laugh, smile, balance and roll up your sleeves! The work of change is arduous and challenging but it is so much fun and so exciting…

Start it at the beginning: start it within….

F. Emmanuelle Chaulet

Starlight Acting Institute, director

Notes:

Eckhart Tolle’s website

Derek Rydall’s website

A BALANCING ACT gets reviewed in THEATRE TOPICS

2009-09-27T12:00:00.003-04:00

The renown academic journal of ATHE (Association for Theatre in Higher Education) THEATRE TOPICS just published a wonderful review of A BALANCING ACT in its September 2009 issue, written by Barbara Sellers-Young of York University.

Excerpts:

"In fifteen chapter and six appendices, Chaulet's carefully crafted
method takes the actor on a journey from personal awareness of his/her energy system, to an application of that knowledge in the creation of a character."

"Since Stanislavski's initiation of this trend at the beginning of the twentieth century with his use of yoga to train actors, systems of body knowledge have increasingly become part of mainstream performance training.. [..] Chaulet's A BALANCING ACT is part of this transnational discourse in actor training. Its strength is in the insight it provides regarding how an actor can integrate these discursive fields within a personal approach to performance, and this is the audience for whom it seems to be written."

To read the review, please go to Theatre Topics/project muse website.

Theatre Topics Volume 19, Number 2, September 2009 E-ISSN: 1086-3346 Print ISSN: 1054-8378 DOI: 10.1353/tt.0.0064

Happy start of the new performance season!

2009-08-30T20:52:00.002-04:00

As president Selma Botman of USM writes in her column, there are many calendars and we, in Academia, think in terms of School Year from September to May.

Performers too think in performance season, September to June; and then there is Summer stock!

Best wishes for the start of a new performance or academic season!

May you feel refreshed and energized by a wonderful summer of discoveries.

If you performed all summer, find the time to regenerate your strength and re-focus before hitting the ground and running!
Time alone, even a few days, writing, reading, resting sleeping...to be ready to start on the right track.

Personal health is so critical for good performance. To be creative, you need strength: physical strength, emotional strength and calm and grounding...

Focus on your heart and breathe deeply, and you'll be able to fly high...

For great exercises to bring your focus and energy to the next level: read A BALANCING ACT
10% discount until august 31... email energize@starlightacting.org
for more information or purchase via AMAZON at a discounted price.

New Actors for a NEW EARTH

2009-08-10T10:35:00.003-04:00

Eckhart Tolle explains it so well: it is without ego, but with enthusiasm that we do the best transformative work to create a New Earth and awaken Consciousness.

Actors and performers, I invite you to read his wonderful books and develop your acting practice, far from the Ego, but with Joy and Presence.

By letting the flow of awareness of the Consciousness of the Universe pass through you, you become alive, present in the Now and can transform, educate and inspire others...

As he beautifully says:
"Awareness implies that you are not only conscious of things (objects), but you are also conscious of being conscious.[..] Can you feel your own Presence?"

To me, it is very close to the dual consciousness of the actor on stage, and actors should find this very easy to do.. yet, the Ego is the greatest obstacle for performers, as our training mistakenly develops it too often. Our challenge is to recognize this illusory sense of self and find our true I AM presence far from the Ego.

FMI: Eckhart Tolle, A NEW EARTH, Awakening to your life's purpose

Feel the VIBE....

2009-07-15T05:21:00.005-04:00

Energize! A holistic approach to acting

an energy awareness training for performers
©2009 F. Emmanuelle Chaulet
[image : The Wave © JeanPierreRousset.com ]

In the beginning was the word … on a page, the intention, the idea, and the thought.
The thought vibrates as a wave, transforming the space and changing the atmosphere.
The vibration of the thought, as a wave, grows though space and time and creates manifestations of emotions, circumstances, events and stories. They unfold, unfurl, and break on the shore of the stage. The actor does not think but rides the wave –the vibration, the energy– and lets it grow, unfold, unleashing its power, its glory. The actor is the channel of this wave, flowing, fluid, moving through space and time. The actor-waterway lets the thought –the vibration– lead. He relinquishes full control. He lets go…

The actor watches the vibration-wave evolve through him, becoming fully human, becoming Character. The Character descends from the imagination of its creator, finding existence on the stage, and incarnating for a moment in the imaginary circumstances, in the actor’s body. The Character looks for flesh and bones to find its presence and lives for a moment, an hour, a few weeks. This fragile ball of light and thoughts suddenly becomes flesh, becomes real, and becomes a human story. The Character inhabits the actor’s body.

The actor, who is trained with the knowledge of energy awareness and has learned energy clearing techniques, has become skilled at using energy vibrations and does not get lost in them. The actor has learned to tune his instrument to the accurate channel and attract the Character’s frequency. The actor has learned to use his energy wheels of light and to process this vibration throughout his energetic body.

The actor’s body is invaded for a while and reflects the blueprint of the Character. A blank energetic canvas transformed into another being, the actor’s body changes like a chameleon, shape-shifting to reflect the new energy. Each cell, each bone, each muscle is transformed and takes on this new vibration… For a moment on stage, the Character’s love, pain, struggle, desires, challenges and fights become the actor’s ones.

The actor loves this sensation of being two. Like a mother carrying a child, being both and one at the same time, being one and being two. Being self and someone else, but still watching from the inside, from outside, beyond and above; watching closely to keep control and to let go at the same time. Like a dance with two partners, they intertwine and separate.

The actor becomes a Living Work of Art.

Then the applause breaks the magic and the actor must say goodbye, let the energy return to a ball and to the page, and let go of the mirage of the attraction, addition, and dependence. The actor must return to self and become one again…This is the dangerous moment when the actor is tempted to hold on, to keep the other self, and never go back to the monotony of daily normality. This is the risky instant when the self can be lost, and the Character wants to take over the flesh and merge with it.

But with willpower and energy clearing knowledge, with proper energy awareness training and practice, the actor can say goodbye for a while or forever, and return to his true self, to his joy, his happiness, his peace and his balance. The actor has learned to clear his instrument before and after the performance. The actor has learned to transform the Character’s energy and remove the negative pull at the end of a performance. The actor knows how to get rid of blocks and avoid the traps. The actor is an energy athlete.

Tomorrow it will start all over again.
It’s A Balancing Act.

An Actress with a Mission

2009-06-28T05:10:00.006-04:00

How an Iranian actress uses her work, in spite of it all, to teach, inform and educate...
Oscar nominated Shohreh Aghdashloo ( House of Sand and Fog, 24) plays in the intense movie "The Stoning of Soraya M." the role of an Iranian villager who stands up for her niece, who is accused of adultery and sentenced to death.
Sometimes acting becomes more than entertainment...

read more here:
the movie:

Interesting questions on practicing your self-clearings

2009-06-18T17:22:00.003-04:00

Images by Katheryn Caouette
© Chaulet 2008

QUESTION: I have noticed as I have practiced clearing the chakras, that I seem to have the most difficulty getting through the throat chakra and the 3rd chakra. What kinds of things can I do to work on areas that seem more stuck?

Emmanuelle Chaulet's answer:

Areas that are stuck are usually sign of a block. and when you reach a block you need to ask yourself: " What is this block telling me?" "Which part of me is trying to speak up?"

Throat chakra issues are about saying what you mean, expressing your truth, speaking up when something is a problem. Third chakra issues are about personal power, expressing oneself in the world with our will and our strength. The third chakra is also known as the "will center". It is our capacity to say no, to assert our authority, to assert our will.
So you need to ask yourself: "which are the issues when I don't speak up to say what bothers me and fail to assert what I want?"... I am sure something will come quickly to the forefront and you'll say to yourself: "Ah , that's it!"
Then, you want to keep clearing the issue by sending light, and raising your vibration above the block and perceiving the block clearing in your mind's eye.

Sometimes when blocks are too strong and too deeply entrenched, the help of a practitioner can really get you passed it.
To find practitioners in your area, look at the appendix of the book A BALANCING ACT.

Read more on clearing blocks on Chapter X. A technique using the polar opposite is quite efficient (read Chapter VIII).

QUESTION: [You express] the idea that the expansive feeling we experience on stage results in, or results because of, an expanding aura, and that we need to bring the aura back in closer to us after the show, to return to normal life. We all love that feeling of expansion. I think it's why many of us continue our lives in the theatre. The complication is that we don't want the feeling to stop afterwards! How can we protect the aura but keep the feeling of exuberance that accompanies the experience?

Emmanuelle's Answer:

This is a great question. The feeling of expansion is extraordinary, and we get addicted to it. You get it while performing, teaching, exercising, and also with sugar, alcohol and some drugs.
It is clear what the dangers associated with using sugar, alcohol and drugs are. However there are also real dangers associated with aura expansion while in a "normal" life setting such as in a dense grocery store, in a bar, or riding in a subway. The aura can rip and tear, it can collect lots of dirt and "parasites" so to speak. It can get real damaged. So it is very important to keep the aura closer to the body in normal day to day settings.

However, you can devote some time to expand the aura in safe situations like walking on the beach, hiking a mountain, or meditating...and keep getting that "high" in safe places.
The feeling of joy associated with it can also be called independently of the aura expansion. If you call on the vibration of joy to stay with you, and raise your vibration high enough, it will most likely stay with you throughout your day.

What is true however is that to keep your system clear is a way of life. As you become clearer and clearer, you will not want to do certain things anymore, such as go in dense and dark places. I myself cannot take the New York subway any longer. And I used to live in NYC and had no problems with it. I have a real hard time staying more than a half-hour in that energetic environment and had to adapt my timing and take the bus instead while I was in NYC last October.

So, in conclusion, to keep that feeling of expansion and stay safe, you need to find the right places to do it... I love expanding my aura while walking at the edge of the water on the beach where all the elements are fusing together: water, sun, wind, and earth. You should try it over the summer!! (and remember to bring it back closer when you go home)...

Warm Regards,

Emmanuelle

LAST CALL to register for the JUNE 13, 2009 workshop: Energize

2009-06-08T14:03:00.003-04:00

LAST CALL to register for the JUNE 13, 2009 workshop: Energize: a Holistic Approach to Acting
The Mind/body/spirit connection

REGISTER NOW!
To register email: mailto:energize@starlightacting.org
to be connected to the paypal registration link.

The workshop will give an introductory class on:

-Energy awareness, What are chakras, aura, the Energy system (overview)

-Applications in acting, bridging inside-out/outside-in approaches,
(lecture and exercises)

with Focus on Post-Performance Blues: Finding closure after the emotional roller-coaster of performance

-Post-performance stress analysis,

-Post-show closure meditation, visualization, character withdrawal.
(lecture and exercises)

Please bring a yoga /gym mat (or blanket) and pillow, water,
and... your questions!

WHEN: Saturday June 13, 1 pm-5 pm

WHERE: Pierre Studio and Gallery

Dana Warp Mill,
Suite 350, 90 bridge street
Westbrook, Maine.

FEE: $60 /participants (students $50)

Pre-registration is required.. This is not a walk-in class.

Looking forward to having you in the class...

Emmanuelle Chaulet

Emmanuelle Chaulet
Starlight Acting Institute, director

Energize! a holistic approach to acting
http://www.starlightacting.org
http://balanceyouract.blogspot.com

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Do you feel the cloud too?

2009-06-04T22:24:00.003-04:00

Do you feel irritable? anxious for no reason, upset, angry, frustrated, or overly emotional? It could just be that there is inbalance in your environment.. not just in you!
At HearthMath Institute there is a study about how to dissipate the dark cloud of negative energy that is currently around the earth energy field. By using our heartfelt intention and meditation techniques we can collectively rebalance the earth energy field and ourselves...
Just vizualise GAIA, the planet Earth in love and light... send positive energy and emotions of peace, harmony and love to the planet... every little drop can help get us to the tipping point...

For more information please check:

New Density Dissipation Lock-In
A cloud of mental and emotional distortion has built up in the earth’s planetary field environment from cumulative negative emotions, Institute of HeartMath founder Doc Childre observes in a new tool he has created to help people dissipate the cloud. Click to Article…

Did Kiefer Sutherland become Jack Bauer?

2009-05-26T11:28:00.003-04:00

Obviously, the star of 24 is not seeing clearly the frontier between his own self and his character self. Behaving more and more violently as Jack Bauer does, he was charged with assault after headbutting a fashion designer at a party.

Now the two men have come to an understanding after Kiefer apologized, and charges might be dropped, but this reminds us of our ongoing question: isn't it a case of post-performance stress? Does Keifer Sutherland have a hard time letting go of Jack Bauer? After all, he has performed 8 seasons of 24 hours...killing, torturing and saving millions of people in the process. Has violence become so "normal" for him that in real life he has no discernment?

Does he drink because he can't shake the character off?

Emmanuelle Chaulet and Bridgette Murphy: LATE NITE CONVERSATIONS, a radio show with Allan Holender

2009-05-15T21:31:00.006-04:00

Last night Emmanuelle Chaulet was guest on the radio show LATE NITE CONVERSATIONS.
It was a fascinating discussion with actress and speaker Bridgette Murphy, and Allan Holender, author and founder, The Zentrepreneurship Centre (www.zentrepreneurism.com) on emotional balancing, passion, purpose, energy, higher self, and the future of the world ....

To listen to the radio cast:

LOG IN..JOIN IN ...http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Papa-Zen
click on:
LATE NITE CONVERSATIONS WITH ALLAN HOLENDER (Date: May 14, 2009)

A new kind of BlogTalk Radio for a changing world. Author, Futurist and radio personality, Allan Holender mixes his brand of "hot talk" with "cool jazz". Join Allan for some very cool late nite chatter with intelligent optimists and unreasonable people. "All progress depends on the unreasonable man or woman"- George Bernard Shaw. So grab a pillow, your slippers and a glass of wine (optional!) and log in. Your Thursday night will never be the same again!

LINK: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Papa-Zen

JOIN IN THE CONVERSATION....

SPRING CLEAN YOUR ACTING SELF! Holistic Acting Workhop - Saturday, June 13

2009-05-07T11:34:00.001-04:00

Energize: a Holistic Approach to Acting

Introductory workshop with Emmanuelle Chaulet

(for committed actors)

The Mind/body/spirit connection,

Energy awareness, What are chakras, aura, the Energy system (overview)

Applications in acting, bridging inside-out/outside-in approaches,

(lecture and exercises)

with Focus on Post-Performance Blues: Finding closure after the emotional roller-coaster of performance

Post-performance stress analysis,
post-show closure meditation, visualization
character withdrawal.

(lecture and exercises)

WHEN: Saturday June 13, 1 pm-5 pm

WHERE: Dana Warp Mill, Westbrook, Maine.

FEE: $60 /participants (students $50)

Payment required by June 1.

REGISTER NOW: To register email:

mailto:energize@starlightacting.org

THE BOOK: A BALANCING ACT, the development of Energize a holistic approach to acting will help students go further and retain a lot more of the presented information. $24.95 (Starlight Acting Books 2008)

Starlight Acting Books offer a 10% discount on the book for individual students attending workshops. to get the discount

mailto:energize@starlightacting.org

First Annual Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education Conference

2009-04-08T11:08:00.004-04:00

April 24 – 26, 2009
Converse Hall, Amherst College, Amherst MA

"From Contemplative Mindfulness to Energy Awareness, the case study of THE 299 “Holistic Acting” at The University of Southern Maine"
presented by F. Emmanuelle Chaulet

Contemplative Mindfulness leads the way to Energy Awareness.
By stilling the mind we can start listening to our energy system signals and understand the world in terms of vibrations and wave patterns that can be cleared, repaired, and aligned for better performance, more energy and peaceful, but powerful goal manifestation.
This opens the doors to infinite possibilities such as concentration sharpening, creativity development, stress reduction and better awareness of world energy patterns. It intensifies spiritual consciousness, activates abundance manifestation, as well as provides tools for a powerful stage presence.

http://www.acmhe.org/events.html#conf

Elizabeth Gilbert (EAT, PRAY, LOVE) on creative genius

2009-03-28T09:05:00.002-04:00

Eighteen minutes of pure delight....
Do take the time to watch!

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

ANPACT (Association for the New Paradigm in Acting and Creative Techniques) is born!

2009-03-27T10:37:00.003-04:00

Emmanuelle Chaulet (Starlight Acting Institute) and Laura Vannah (Bright Star ProductionZ) joined forces to create ANPACT: the Association for the New Paradigm in Acting and Creative Techniques: a networking group discussing the new paradigm currently growing in the performing arts, actor training and acting techniques, including, but not limited to: Spirituality and Acting, Holistic Acting, Energy work, Chakra work, Shamanism, Native American Animal Totem work, Shadow work, Spiritual Gesture, Hypnotism, Breath work, Dream work, Voice Dialogue, Meditation, Contemplative Mindfulness and many more emerging techniques. ANPACT was co-founded by Emmanuelle Chaulet and Laura Vannah

To receive information, start networking and learn about upcoming events, you can join one of the two listserve groups respectively on Facebook or Linkedin:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=59421728714#/group.php?gid=59421728714

http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=1861360&trk=anet_ug_hm

The official website is under construction and hosted at: www.anpact.org

What's with Zumba?

2009-02-14T15:35:00.006-05:00

I started Zumba a few weeks ago and I have to say... I am hooked! and it seems there are more and more women of all ages and shapes in my class every week who are getting hooked too.. The class seems growing like a field of weeds... or rather beautiful rich flowers that love moving and swaying in the sun.... Zumba has taken the world of fitness into a dance spreading like fire...

What is so attractive in Zumba?

I guess Zumba stirs our deepest energies of movement, activates the Flowers of Life of our bodies, and gets the energy circulating fast and furiously, with all these curvy moves and salsa hip circles and rapid, trance-like vibrations.

Zumba brings the feminine out in all its power: the seductive power of pure, joyful, healthy sexual energy, transmuted into vitality, fun, and joy.

The class is filled with giggles, laughs, thrills, excitement, as ladies (and men too.. but in my class they have not shown up yet) move their hips, butts, arms, legs, and cadence on hot, salsa, merengue, and other latino rhythms.

It brings our fire out and burns and releases all the blocks and restraints. Watch out as it releases your power to say no, to express your own views, to ask for what you want and to set your boundaries...

It reclaims our feminine power, our joy, our movement from deep buried past lives, or far away cultures, when, where our body was sacred and not stained by guilt and repressed freedom.

Someone jokingly asked if the Spanish songs of Zumba where 'dirty'. Our instructor justly said: no there is nothing dirty about these songs!.. They are about life, joy, love, sex.. pure joy and freedom of movement in our third dimension body.

Zumba is fun movement, it is tease, it is seduction, it is spicing up your body...

Enjoy,

Happy Valentine's Day!

For a Zumba class near you please visit: Zumba
http://www.zumba.com/us/

KCACTF Region 1 Workshop January 31

2009-01-26T14:15:00.008-05:00

1:00-3:00 p.m.
Workshop at KCACTF with Emmanuelle Chaulet
(room Hammerstein-Four Point Sheraton hotel, Leominster MA)
FREE for conference participants.

Post-Performance Blues and Pre-Performance Jitters:
A Balancing Act

Learn how to find emotional balance and true closure after the end of a show. This workshop will assist participants to learn how to keep the character’s strength, protect integrity when playing negative personalities, say goodbye to a character, re-balance the inner self and keep creative balance and energy throughout the roller coaster of a performing artist’s life.
Emmanuelle Chaulet will lead an introductory workshop based on her book A BALANCING ACT.

Photo Jean-Pierre Rousset

President Barack Obama's inaugural speech calls for a "Sense of Responsibility"

2009-01-20T13:40:00.006-05:00

Here is what A BALANCING ACT calls for actors' sense of responsibility: (page 228)

A Responsibility To The World
© Emmanuelle Chaulet 2008

"From ancient times on, actors have been the ones to give humanity the ability to see, feel, and realize their human condition.
It is now a responsibility for actors to go back to the spiritual aspect of their work. I am talking about the development of a mindset, which will share in the engagement of taking the entire human race toward evolution.

Actors are conduits, channels of energies that go beyond their immediate understanding. They are pure servants to the powerful forces of literature, imagination, and creation. They are like the priests and priestesses of the ancient temples serving the altars of spiritual life for mankind. It is so important that they reconnect with this responsibility right now, because they do not realize how huge their impact on society is. Almost every soul on the planet watches television nowadays, and an enormous percentage of what people watch consists of movies. Movies have become the new religion. People desert churches on Sundays, but faithfully turn on the tube every night to see what’s on and to try to forget the misery of their little lives in front of stories that either show them a better one, or exorcise their deepest fears.

Actors are no longer — and they have never been — insignificant artists that just entertain. They are showing to the entire world ideas, examples, and thought patterns that will fashion the future of humanity. Better than priests, politicians or philosophers, they carry the huge weight of shaping a new society, the one that will make or break world peace. It is crucial that they realize the importance of their role. Windows on humanity and teachers, actors show what the depth of a human soul can hold, and teach what one should or should not do, what kind of consequences decisions can lead to. They enable humans to visualize themselves in a mirror. They permit regular folks to see what is outmoded in their lives. They make people think about, reflect on, and question their condi- tions. They show new and better ways to do things. They denounce
behaviors that are destructive and negative by performing plays on human rights and violence. They lead the way to behaviors that create a better world, with stories showing exemplary courage or compassion. They can teach us about our environment, our history, our connection to the earth and the cosmos. They can lead us to more tolerance and understanding of our differences by showing us other cultures, other religions, other races. They can warn us of dangers that threaten the rest of humanity. They also enact for the rest of us a general catharsis of our deepest wounds, fears, desires and dark sides. Through their intense performances we transcend what we dare not do, or wish we should have done, in real life.

Actors are like spirit guides as they can, through a film or a play, teach us what we have to learn to move ahead in our evolution. Yet, in order to achieve all of this, they must choose the correct
scripts, the ones that will hold insight and positively influence the audience. "

You can read the whole article in A BALANCING ACT.

Daniel Day Lewis on creating and letting go of a role

2009-01-17T10:18:00.004-05:00

Posted by the_independens

Full article on Arts and Entertainment

by Chris Sullivan
Excerpt here:
.....

"This preparation, for which Day-Lewis is now notorious, has been the cause of much heated discussion – and some public concern. He crudely tattooed his hands and trained as a real fighter, twice a day, seven days a week, for nearly three years, for The Boxer (1997). His trainer – the former world champion Barry McGuigan, no less – remarked that he could have turned professional.

For In The Name of the Father (1993), he slept in an abandoned jail and ate only prison rations. For The Crucible (1996), he lived in the film set's replica village without electricity or running water and built his character's house with 17th-century tools.

But it was his method work as Bill the Butcher in Scorsese's Gangs of New York (2002) that attracted most attention. He trained as a butcher, caught pneumonia while on set (having refused to change his threadbare coat for a warmer one because it hadn't existed in the 19th century), and wandered about Rome (where Gangs was filmed) in character, fighting strangers. "I had to do my preparation," he says with a grin. "And I will admit that I went mad, totally mad. I remembered the days of fighting on the Millwall terraces and they stood me in good stead for Bill the Butcher. He was a bit of a punk, a marvellous character and a joy to be – but not so good for my physical or mental health."

Day-Lewis plays down most of the rumours about his working methods, and is clearly sick to death of hearing them. "For me, it seems obvious, as that is what I do," he stresses, sounding baffled. "And I think, 'Well, if people think it's odd, then what can I do?'"

One soon realises that it is Day-Lewis's quest for perfection that allows him to take on these different roles, these lives, and (apart from his family) that is what he lives for. "You go to these great lengths to imagine another world and time and imagine a man, like Plainview, living in those times – and having spent your imagination on that, it seems more fun to live there all the time than jumping in and out," he says. "That is the playground you've created, so why not stay there and play? It gets rid of that notion of playing between times, which often people talk about – waiting for the next shot. I don't buy that. Whatever you can do to give yourself a sense of continuity can only add to the work.

"I have always been intrigued by these lives I have never experienced. And I love the pure pleasure of doing the work, no matter if that work involves some kind of discomfort – even though I don't see it as that, one just deals with the day-to-day challenges of the character. I do it out of curiosity and I enjoy it. But the way people would have it, it is like a game of self-chastisement and it has never been that way for me – it's all just a big, funny game."

For Michael Mann's The Last of the Mohicans (1992), the actor was able to prepare for the role of James Fenimore Cooper's 18th-century hero Hawkeye by living off the land for six months, learning how to hunt, fish and skin animals. But where did this jovial, happily married family man find the seething ferocity of Plainview?

"Well, we all have murderous thoughts throughout the day, if not the week," he replies with a wicked glint. "We all live under some repression; we have to, it's part of the deal. And what is more invigorating than to unleash some of that stuff? But I cannot account for where any of this comes from. It comes from the unconscious and I cannot account for what ferments in my unconscious. That part of the work doesn't take part in the conscious; one just hopes there is a cave somewhere in your mind that you can ransack.

"But so much of the work relies on consciously allowing things to emerge in spite of yourself," he adds. "Consciously always looking for the instinctive – that animal part of yourself – and even though somewhere inside you sculpt and organise with some reason, there is always something a little more chaotic going on."

So engrossed was the actor in the role that, when asked how long the shoot was, he answers: "I don't know – maybe 12, 14 weeks. I really couldn't tell you. But the joy about great work is that you are not looking for the finishing line. Quite the opposite. As with all artistic endeavour, you lose yourself; it's like time out of time, a period when I lose myself and the clocks stop."

How do the wife and kids cope with having a father who, for long periods, is someone else? "For There Will Be Blood, my wife and kids were with me throughout," he replies. "And they did go a little bit crazy living with Plainview all the time, but the kids thought it was a laugh in the end to have this different bloke as their dad and both did a pretty decent impersonation of me. My wife is amazingly tolerant. I knew that from the word go. She just believes, like I do, that if you are attempting anything of a creative nature, no rules apply."

One of the hardest things for Day-Lewis is letting go of the characters he has so lovingly created. "Well, absurd as it might seem, when you've been someone else for that amount of time, it's even more absurd when it's all over." He laughs. "Then the joke is on all of us, because once a curiosity is unleashed you can't just tie it up again. It does take time to let go. There is no great part of you that wants to stop doing that work, and no matter how much you're begging for it to stop you need someone to put a restraining order on it."

Luckily for me, on the day we met, Plainview had long since vacated the premises."

View full article here

KCACTF Region I workshop/Saturday January 31. Leominster MA

2009-01-16T20:43:00.003-05:00

Saturday January 31, 2009 1-3 pm
Free to conference participants

"Post-Performance Blues and Pre-Performance Jitters: A BALANCING ACT"

In a question and answer format, using participants’ experiences and stories while sharing various case studies from her own coaching practice, Emmanuelle Chaulet will lead a workshop on balancing emotions
and acting, and in particular on pre performance stress and post show closure.
For some actors, characters tend to linger around after the show is over, leaving actors drained and emotionally burnt out. Others have intense stage fright. Using insight from her technique "Energize! a holistic approach to
acting," and her book " A BALANCING ACT," Emmanuelle Chaulet will help participants find emotional balance and true closure after the end of a show. Topics will include: Post Show Blues, saying goodbye to a
character, rebalancing your inner self, keeping the character’s strength, protecting one’s integrity when playing negative personalities, and keeping our creative selves balanced and energized throughout the roller coaster of a performing artist’s life.

FMI go to KCACTF website

ANNOUNCING HOLISTIC ACTING CLASS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE

2009-01-16T14:11:00.005-05:00

THE 299: Holistic Acting

(Topics in Theatre) F. Emmanuelle Chaulet

Friday, May 22, 2009 & Friday, May 29, 2009 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 23 & Saturday, May 30 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 24 & Sunday, May 31 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

"Going beyond where Michael Chekhov left off..."

Acting as a mind, body and spirit practice

Invaluable tools to rebalance and heal post-performance stress disorder

Cutting edge information about recovering your Highest Creative Self,
the essence of your character and true emotional balance

In this class you will:

• Discover the anatomy of your energetic system (chakras, aura, flower of life, and much more)
• Reach higher levels of creativity and expression with meditation
• Deepen the connection with your character
• Crack the blocks in your way to perform at your highest potential
• Learn post-performance closure techniques
• Regenerate, rejuvenate, refill, and rebalance

Explore this powerful new tool for performing artists!

A BALANCING ACT, the development of Energize! a holistic approach to acting, by F. Emmanuelle Chaulet is the text book required for this course.
Foreword by Lisa Dalton, co-founder of the National Michael Chekhov Association.
Paperback, 330 pages. $24.95 Available at USM bookstores, on Amazon.com, Google books and www.starlightacting.org

The Instructor: F. Emmanuelle Chaulet is Adjunct Theatre Faculty at the University of Southern Maine. An international film actress, director and acting coach, she is the director / founder of Starlight Acting Institute. Lead film roles include “Boyfriends and Girlfriends” by French New Wave master Eric Rohmer; “All the Vermeers in New York” by Jon Jost, 1991 winner of the best American independent film award; and “Sundowning” by Jim Cole, winner of Cinequest Emerging Maverick award. She trained with the Michael Chekhov technique and was a Fulbright Scholar at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York. She studied the energy systems with Nancy Risley, Bernadette Curtis and Lasca Hewes and is a certified RYSE® III practitioner, Reiki practitioner, and Gaiadon Heart facilitator. She has developed a unique method “Energize! a holistic approach to acting,” which is developed in the book “A Balancing Act.” She has been included in “Who’s Who in America” since 2007.

University of Southern Maine Summer Sessions
Gorham campus,
Maine
www.usm.maine.edu/summer

NEW REVIEWS on A BALANCING ACT

2009-01-06T20:30:00.008-05:00

A Must-Read For All Artistic Minds!,

January 6, 2009

By	Katherine G. Matzell (Portland, ME) -

Emmanuelle Chaulet's "A Balancing Act", though geared mostly towards the actor, is a necessary text for all artists. Chaulet's approach to explaining why we go in and out of balance with our lives and the many roles we play reminds us of why we practice our craft in the first place: It is our very human desire to find an interconnectedness and balance between ourselves and the world around us. But actors seek additional connectedness in the world through channeling other characters, which can lead to emotional and spiritual injury. This book provides the reassurance necessary to re-energize the actor that is so easily overloaded by experiences of unhealthy artistic practice. This book stops the artist in his or her tracks to start back at the beginning with a lesson on the well being of the individual.

Chaulet guides the reader through a thorough and detailed explanation of the energetic system and its tremendous role as the powerhouse of the actor. In addition to this complete guide to the energetic system are wonderful stories of her own experiences as a working stage and film actress, and as a mother, daughter and wife. Chaulet takes on the role of the gentle and reassuring teacher in this book, encouraging us to clean up the energy we put out and filter the energy we take in, so that we can create a free-flowing connection with the world that is strong, healthy, and sustainable.

A quick and refreshing read, this book vibrates with the passion and care that Chaulet encourages us to create from our own energetic centers. It was over before I was ready to let go!

(see review on amazon.com)

The Drama Book Shop, Inc.
250 W. 40th St.
New York, NY 10018
Tel: (212) 944-0595
Staff Review

In A Balancing Act, F. Emmanuelle Chaulet clearly and effectively describes her holistic system of combining acting techniques with work on the energetic system within the body. She has been using this approach, which she calls “Energize!” for about twenty years as a teacher working with students; as a director working with actors; and as an actor working on herself. She focuses on the Strasberg [and Michael Chekhov]* technique[s] of acting, so actors trained in this technique would be the most likely to respond to the vocabulary she uses and to the exercises she proposes. As a young actress, Chaulet found that the techniques she was using left her unable to let go of the darker sides of the characters she was portraying, creating an unhealthy imbalance in her life. She discovered that by applying work on the energetic systems to her acting she could approach her craft from a healthier angle. The title of the book refers to balancing all aspects of one’s life and art, including the polarities within the human body, the use of varying acting and movement techniques, and finding balance between one’s life on and offstage. Through simple and precise descriptions of exercises related to acting, energy, and a combination of the two, Chaulet has written a useful and comprehensive book on acting.
The book is essentially divided into four sections. First, there is a brief autobiographical section, focusing on Chaulet’s life as a young actress in France and as a student at the Lee Strasberg Institute in New York City. Here she describes her problems with the techniques she was studying, and how she came to polarity therapy as a way to deal with the imbalances these techniques had left in her life. In the next section she describes in detail the energy systems working within the body, and how they affect one’s emotions and daily life. She illustrates how important it is to clear the energy system to create room for positive artistic energy, and provides many exercises on how to do this. In the next few chapters she describes how to use her system in combination with different acting techniques, and these chapters make up the bulk of the book. Using a vocabulary that will be familiar to most actors, she describes many exercises in their pure form, and then adjusts them to her system. She starts with the “outside-in” and “inside-out” approaches to finding characters; then discusses the importance of movement to finding characters and objectives; moves on to using her system to clear actors’ blocks such as stage fright and expectations; and finally has a whole chapter dedicated to playing real-life characters. The last section of the book is about letting go of characters after the run of a show and finding balance in one’s day to day life.
Structurally, the book is simple and comprehensive. It is broken up into chapters which are further divided into many small sections, though there is no division between sections and subsections. This can be somewhat confusing. For example, exercises on a particular technique seem to hold the same weight as the description of the technique itself, where there should be some distinction. But other than that, I found the book easy to follow. Chaulet cites diagrams and illustrations when discussing abstract energy systems, making it easy to cross reference her descriptions of colors, lights, images and energy flows with a tangible image. She includes appendices with step by step instructions of the long and short form of the exercises she discusses, lists of action verbs, and various resources for different forms of energy therapy, wellness centers, and acting schools that use energy work. For a book that begins with an apology to the reader for “stylistic peculiarities that will surprise an American reader,” I was in fact surprised at the clarity with which the Energize! technique was presented.
Whether or not the idea of energy and chakras resonates with you, this book presents effective acting tools. Her language is clear and precise, and the vocabulary she uses will be familiar to most actors. Many of the exercises that I learned in grad school and found very effective are presented here in new ways, and described clearly in step by step form. Furthermore, her explanations of the chakras and energy systems are tangible and never come off as ephemeral or wishy-washy. I found her take on some Strasberg and Chekhov exercises fresh and exciting, and some of her original exercises strike me as very useful. She seems to have found healthy and innovative ways of approaching a technique that can be emotionally draining and sometimes harmful. And although some background in energy and visualization work would help to understand some of the theories she explores, she writes simply and elegantly, and any actor with an interest in polarity therapy and the energetic system would find this book very interesting and useful.

*corrected by BalanceYourAct Blog

Quote of the day

2008-12-19T22:44:00.002-05:00

We Are Human Beings, not humans doing....
- Lasca Hewes, Gaiadon Heart master teacher

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year!

2008-12-15T10:02:00.005-05:00

May 2009 bring Peace, Abundance, Happiness, Tolerance, Compassion, Joy and Prosperity to all.

In times of change like the ones we are living, it is important to look at the glass half full instead of half empty: savor simple joys like watching blue jays and red cardinals play on the white snow, or the warmth of a crackling fire, or the scent of hot mulled cider... We need not buy more things, just give simple gifts that reconnect us with our deep sense of pleasure and gratitude. Stop shopping and start feeling (and giving) gratitude.

The holidays are for sharing, for understanding and friendships, but not for competing with more toys or fueling our egos with more possessions.

Lead the way for a meaningful holiday season.
Enlighten your family and friends with the gift of sensibility. Give gifts of appreciation and spiritual awareness. You will receive a deep sense of accomplishment and peace for the year to come.

Happy Holidays to all!

Emmanuelle

Photos: © Jean-Pierre Rousset
www.jeanpierrerousset.com

New York City Energize acting group is forming

2008-12-04T22:09:00.002-05:00

A New York City Energize/ A BALANCING ACT acting group is forming. The purpose is to explore the use of acting tools outlined in the book A BALANCING ACT and especially explore character preparation with a holistic acting approach. Sean Demers, former company member with Emmanuelle Chaulet is the contact. Please email him for more information at:
seandemers@aim.com

The group is informal and will be an outlet for exploration, research and rehearsals.

ENERGIZE Workshop Announced at USM 2009 Summer Sessions

2008-11-27T13:54:00.004-05:00

WHEN:
MAY 22-24 and 29-31 2009

WHAT : A workshop on Energize a holistic approach to acting.
developing the information outlined in the book A BALANCING ACT
with F. Emmanuelle Chaulet

WHERE: University of Southern Maine, Department of Theatre and Summer Sessions

FMI: energize@starlightacting.org
and check: http://www.usm.maine.edu/summer/

more info to come...

November 22 at the New England Theatre Conference

2008-11-22T12:22:00.007-05:00

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Warwick, RI:
Emmanuelle Chaulet and Ann Marie Shea, Dean of NETC College of Fellows

With Beverley Lord of AACT (American Association of Community Theatres)

BACKSTAGE.COM PUBLISHES REVIEW OF A BALANCING ACT

2008-11-07T07:54:00.001-05:00

A Balancing Act: The Development of Energize! A Holistic Approach to Acting,
by F. Emmanuelle Chaulet

October 31, 2008
REVIEW By Jackie Apodaca, actress and Faculty at the University of California Santa Barbara

While reading F. Emmanuelle Chaulet's book, I completed a very enjoyable run as Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. On closing night, after walking offstage from the wrenching wedding scene, I burst into tears. In the dressing room, I mentioned it to the actor playing Hero, who admitted she had experienced the same thing. I couldn't shake those feelings for the rest of the evening. Such an experience is precisely what Chaulet's method grapples with: How can actors who convincingly pretend they're having heart-rending, tumultuous experiences let those experiences go at the end of a scene? How can actors fully and believably take on other people's lives without damaging their own?

For the entire review please click here: read review

New Event: Book Signing at the NETC Conference Nov 22

2008-11-06T21:35:00.000-05:00

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR A BALANCING ACT:

NOVEMBER 6-9, 2008: Book presentation at the American Society for Theatre Research (ASTR) conference, in Boston, Massachusetts at the Scholar’s Choice Table (Book exhibit, Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers).

NOVEMBER 22: Book signing at the NETC conference:
F. Emmanuelle Chaulet will be next at the New England Theatre Conference on Saturday, November 22 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick, RI from10 am- 5pm. Look for her at the University of Southern Maine Theatre Department’s table in the exhibit area. She will have her book available for perusal and will answer questions.

For directions, please check: http://www.netconline.org/

Successful Event at The Drama Book Shop Last Sunday

2008-10-14T16:29:00.000-04:00

Drama Book Shop, NYC October 12, 2008
Book signing and workshop with F. Emmanuelle Chaulet

Among people in attendance were Amanda McHugh, actress; Natasha Missick, actress; Joe Martin, director and author from Washington DC; Janice Orlandi, artistic director of the Actors Movement Studio in NYC; and Sean O'Connor, NYC actor and award winning playwright.

Photos by Jean-Pierre Rousset

Book Signing and Q & A at the Drama Book Shop in NYC, Sunday, October 12, 2 pm

2008-09-15T09:48:00.000-04:00

Post-Performance Stress

Healing and Recovery

a Q & A and book signing with Emmanuelle Chaulet author of

A Balancing Act

The development of Energize! a holistic approach to acting

In a question and answer format, using participants’ experiences and stories while sharing various case studies from her own coaching practice and from her book A BALANCING ACT, Emmanuelle Chaulet will lead a discussion on balancing life and acting, and in particular on post performance stress healing and recovery.
For some actors, characters tend to linger around after the show is over, leaving actors drained and emotionally burnt out. For others, the intensity of performance leaves them in a state of over-excitement and incites them to risky behaviors. Using insight from her technique "Energize! a holistic approach to acting," and information from her book, Emmanuelle Chaulet will help participants find true closure after the end of a show.
Topics will include: Post Show Blues, post show closure, saying goodbye to a character, rebalancing your inner self, keeping the character’s strength, protecting one’s integrity when playing negative personalities, and keeping our creative selves balanced and energized throughout the rollercoaster of a performing artist’s life.

A BALANCING ACT presents:

- acting as a mind, body and spirit practice
- actors as emotional athletes, spiritual stuntmen and stuntwomen exposed to a constant roller coaster of emotions
- acting techniques using discoveries from holistic and energy healing modalities
- holistic performance health management advice

Answering an urgent –yet never addressed–need, this book offers:

- an understanding of post-performance stress disorder
- invaluable energy awareness tools to heal post-performance stress disorder
- cutting edge information about recovering your Highest Creative Self, the essence of your character, and true emotional balance

for more info please check the NEW YORK DRAMA BOOKS SHOP INC

Jack Nicholson Had Warned Heath Ledger of the dark impact of "The Jocker"

2008-08-21T10:51:00.000-04:00

Before he died, Ledger told reporters that it took a ton of energy to play the role, but that it was the most fun he ever had.

"It was one of those moments where I was asked if I'd be interested in playing The Joker, and I knew five seconds later exactly how to play it," he said.

[...]
"Yeah, I could see someone getting really crazy off of that," says Maz Jobrani, a real-life stand-up comic. "A lot of times, comics will then get upset at the audience for not understanding them, and they go, 'You don't understand me, I'm funny, you people are horrible, you people should go to hell!'"

Jobrani adds that many comics, like The Joker, are a little bit crazy — and it's their peculiar worldview that makes them funny.

In his interpretation of The Joker in the new film, The Dark Knight, actor Heath Ledger thrives on that insanity.

"I keep coming back to the way he physically incarnates madness," says Levitz. "Leave the makeup aside, leave the costuming aside — if you had Heath Ledger in plain clothes, who's a very handsome, well-presented, very affable looking man — if he walked in a room and started acting in the behaviors that he uses for The Joker, you'd get the hell out of that room fast. And that's pretty cool."

Ledger's Joker may be enthralling for viewers, but playing the role took its toll.

The Australian actor told reporters that he barely slept while playing the part. Even when his body was exhausted, he couldn't stop his mind from reeling, he said.

The challenge of the role wasn't lost on Jack Nicholson. When told of Ledger's death, the actor's immediate response was: "I warned him."

To read the entire article click here

‘Post-Dramatic’ Stress: Negotiating vulnerability for performance

2008-06-25T03:46:00.000-04:00

by Dr. Mark Seton, Honorary Research Associate,
Department of Performance Studies, University of Sydney

To read the whole article please go to http://hdl.handle.net/2123/2518

ABSTRACT:
The greatest accolade given to actors is that of bravery rather than technical competency. We admire actors who ‘lose themselves’ in a role or who ‘expose’ themselves through their vulnerable portrayals. Yet at what cost? Some actors move from role to role with apparent ease while others seem to ‘live out’ their latest roles often prolonging addictive and potentially destructive habits. Schechner observed “the cool-down ought to be investigated from the point of view of both performers and spectators”. From my participant-observation of sites of actor training, I have witnessed advice in dealing with vulnerability, in the aftermath of performance, that suggests that actors either “develop the heart of a dove and the hide of a rhinoceros” or just “get over it!”. I discuss the lack of preparation for performers to negotiate what I have coined, evocatively and provocatively, ‘post-dramatic’ stress. I review the limited research that has sought to highlight the neglect of actors’ wellbeing in training and performance contexts and, subsequently, I proffer some options for negotiating this vulnerability. I argue we can teach and learn ways in which vulnerability can become a transformative process rather than something that has to be either defended against or denied.

Book aims to help keep actors sane, balance emotions

2008-06-13T12:37:00.000-04:00

by Gorham Gazette, Emma Bouthillette

Faint sounds of a flute trickle in through the window of Emmanuelle Chaulet’s office on the second floor of Corthell Hall on USM’s Gorham campus. With nothing but a desk lamp on, the office is dark and cool. On the wall, Chaulet displays her certificates and awards. Newly hung is a framed cover of her recently published book.
Chaulet, 47, has always been involved in performance arts, an international actor in films and theater in the U.S. and France. Chaulet is now a director, teacher and author.
Originally from France, Chaulet spent time studying and performing in New York. Now a Gorham resident, she began working for USM and directing performances in 1994. As an adjunct faculty member, Chaulet teaches an introduction to acting course and manages the university’s performing arts events.
Chaulet joined the list of published faculty this year with her book, “A Balancing Act”. In April, Chaulet’s book was one of 30 works selected and honored at USM’s Authors’ Wall Ceremony. At the ceremony, Chaulet presented the book to the audience and received a framed cover of the book. Besides the one that hangs in her office, another is displayed on the Authors’ Wall.
“Its an honor to me because not all the books faculty published this year were selected,” Chaulet said.
Chaulet decided to write the book because of encouragement from her students and colleagues. She said “A Balancing Act” is geared toward actors, giving them a method to keep them sane, help develop creativity and balance their emotions. It is a balancing act she had to overcome on her own.
She said she turned from acting to directing when she felt her emotions playing various roles were becoming too intense.
“As a director, I realized many actors had the same problem I had,” Chaulet said.
The problem was that as actors, people become consumed by the roles they play and often have a hard time returning to themselves, she said. In her book, Chaulet includes an interview Oprah Winfrey conducted with actor Anthony Hopkins, known for his role in “Silence of the Lambs,” who said the dark roles he has played have taken a toll on him.
“When you are a performer, you go through many roles and you go through something I call ‘post performance stress,’” Chaulet said.
Chaulet recognized the need for actors to overcome their roles and to hold more balance between their acting and real lives.
“A Balancing Act” sums up all the research Chaulet has been conducting on energy work, holistic healing and applying the techniques to acting. After all her research, Chaulet said the book is the only one of its kind in publication. She intends the book to be a tool to help actors work on their own holistic healing and develop their highest creative self.
READ MORE

Quote of the day from Felicity Huffman:(ABC's Desperate Housewives)

2008-06-12T08:26:00.000-04:00

In this business, you work a lot, and then you don't work forever. It's feast or famine. You're worth something, and then you're worth absolutely nothing. It comes and goes. And so when it actually does come, the acknowledgment is nice, even though at the same time you know it's very ephemeral.
Read more:

QUOTE OF THE DAY from Sir Ben Kingsley:

2008-06-10T20:59:00.000-04:00

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

The power of now: the habit of being fully present is a great gift because it affects how we love, attend to life, how we give. It's all we have.

READ MORE:

A Holistic Actress: portrait of Rekha Sharma

2008-06-06T17:20:00.000-04:00

Rekha Sharma is an accomplished Canadian film, stage and television actress, whose ancestors originated from the state of Uttar Pradesh in India.

Rekha first studied at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, followed by studies in Massage Therapy. She first became a Holistic Counselor.
Rekha found her love of acting in fifth grade in a school play; however, it was later (in her early twenties) after dabbling in a variety of things that Rekha made the decision to pursue an acting career. She studied at the Ivana Chubbuck Acting Studio and later at the Lyric School of Acting. Most recently, she has worked with renowned acting coach, Larry Moss.

Her stage productions include Prisoners, Counter Offense, and David Mamet's Oleanna. Rekha’s feature films include Whisper (2007), Memory (2006), Fierce People (2005), Edison (2005), The Chronicles of Riddick (2004) and The Core (2003). Her latest film Traveling (2008), stars Jennifer Aniston, Aaron Eckhart and Martin Sheen.
She is currently working on the Emmy (2007) and Peabody (2006) award winning Sci-Fi series, Battlestar Galactica, in which she plays Tory Foster, chief-of-staff to President Roslin (Academy Award nominated, Mary McDonnell).

Her holistic interests show when she isn’t acting: she loves painting, playing Sarangi (an Indian classical instrument), yoga, meditation and the arts.

Rekha supports numerous charities, including Hurricane Katrina victims in the Southern States, Tsunami victims in Southeast Asia, and housing for outcast women in India. In Vancouver, she supports women’s shelters, has taught acting to street youth on the Downtown East Side, and supports numerous local venues for the performing arts.

This definitely shows her spiritual involvement in a greater purpose as an actress.

"Rekha’s passion for the arts and human rights fuels her dynamic and inspiring performances" says India Journal.

She certainly is an example to follow....

Read more:

Body-mind Meditation Boosts Performance, Reduces Stress

2008-06-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

A team of researchers from China and the University of Oregon have developed an approach for neuroscientists to study how meditation might provide improvements in a person's attention and response to stress.

The study, done in China, randomly assigned college undergraduate students to 40-person experimental or control groups. The experimental group received five days of meditation training using a technique called the integrative body-mind training (IBMT). The control group got five days of relaxation training. Before and after training both groups took tests involving attention and reaction to mental stress.
[...]
The experimental group showed lower levels of anxiety, depression, anger and fatigue than was the case in the control group.
To read more:

A cry for help

2008-06-06T07:28:00.000-04:00

Intimates of the Academy Award winning actress Tatum O'Neal have told that her arrest for buying cocaine, which took place near her Lower Manhattan apartment, came as a surprise.

"I would call it a cry for help," says one friend.

O'Neal, is the daughter of actor Ryan O'Neal and the ex-wife of John McEnroe.
She was abandoned by a drug-abusing mother (actress Joanna Moore) at age 7 and began using drugs by 14 and wrote about her struggles with and recovery from a heroin addiction in her 2004 memoir, "A Paper Life."

The actress completed rehab in 1996.
During her arrest, she claimed that whe was buying drugs to research a part about a junkie.

She also said: "I 'm still sober!...Just when I was about to change that and wreck my life, the cops came and saved me! I was saved by the bell, by the guys in the Seventh Precinct."

To read more: click here

Playing "Wit": demanding one-woman show about cancer leaves actress exhausted

2008-05-31T10:55:00.001-04:00

For the lead role [in "Wit," a play about living with -and dying from- cancer] of Vivian Bearing, a 50-year-old university professor who is diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic ovarian cancer, Janina Birtolo underwent the most dramatic physical transformation the long-time community actress has ever made for a role.

Not the least of the changes: Cutting hair that’s been same below-the-shoulder length for more than a decade. The actress chopped it into a shaggy pixie cut expressly for this role, since the bald cap was too time-consuming to put on every night.

"It’s been exhausting," says Birtolo minutes before one of the last rehearsals in the Tobye Studio, the intimate 100-seat space at the Sugden used for more avant-garde performances.

"I haven’t been good about doing the rest of my work. I’m so drained after putting out emotions in the show," says the freelance writer, who, since 2001, has also performed regular one-woman shows — as many as three times a week in season — throughout the county.

Read the whole article: Facing the end: Local actress takes difficult character through cancer and into clarity in Naples Players’ "Wit"

ATHE CONFERENCE DENVER COLORADO

2008-05-28T21:53:00.000-04:00

If you are planning to attend the ATHE (Association for Theatre in Higher Education) conference in Denver Colorado July 31-August 3, make sure to stop by the Scholar's Choice book display, and ask for a copy of a A Balancing Act for perusal. Orders will also be taken right there and then and given a conference discount...
Don't miss this opportunity!

FMI check the ATHE web site: www.athe.org/conference/index

Book Signings and Q & A with Emmanuelle Chaulet during the Southern Maine Combined Theatre Auditions, June 9 & 12

2008-05-21T10:12:00.000-04:00

Two book signings and Q & A sessions are scheduled on JUNE 9 and 12 (Monday and Thursday) from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Dana Warp Mill 90 Bridge street, in Westbrook Maine, during the Southern Maine combined theater auditions, an annual tradition for the theater community.

While waiting for your slot or just after your audition, stop by the book signing table and discuss with Emmanuelle Chaulet performance anxiety, post-performance stress, etc.. Discover ways to healthily manage these frequent symptoms, boost your creativity, connect with your character and develop charismatic presence. Learn about holistic acting...

Acorn Productions will once again host the auditions.
The auditions take place on Monday, June 9th and Thursday, June 12th from
7 to 9:30 p.m. in the Acorn Studios, 90 Bridge St. in Westbrook (the
Dana Warp Mill).
The book signings are at the same time and at the same location.

The auditions offer local actors a chance to
showcase their talents in front of several key producers of live
theater in Southern Maine. Although most companies are looking for
professional actors, Acorn Productions is committed to making the arts
accessible to all members of the community, and any actor is welcome
to audition regardless of their level of experience.

Companies that have already committed to attending the auditions are:

Acorn Productions
AddVerb Productions
AIRE Theater Company
City Theater of Biddeford
Good Theater
Heartwood Regional Theater Company
Knight's Bridge Theater
L/A Arts
Portland Stage Company
Public Theater
Auditioning actors are asked to perform two contrasting monologues of
no more than five minutes total. If an actor wants to audition for
Acorn's Naked Shakespeare Ensemble, at least one of the pieces must be
a Shakespearean speech of at least ten lines of verse. All actors
will also need to provide approximately 10 current headshots and
resumes.

Actors interested in auditioning can contact Acorn Productions at
854-0065 or register on-line at www.acorn-productions.org.

For more information on the book signings please contact: energize@starlightacting.org

See you then!

A Balancing Act now available in NEW YORK CITY!

2008-05-20T21:25:00.000-04:00

We are very excited to announce that
The DRAMA BOOK SHOP, Inc.
250 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
is now carrying A BALANCING ACT.

Stay tuned for more info on upcoming booksignings/ events and reviews......

On reading A Balancing Act

2008-05-13T20:39:00.000-04:00

A Balancing Act is a great book for anyone- not just actors- to have. What’s really incredible about it is that the approach it presents to acting extends to one’s everyday life and in that way, becomes almost something of a self-help book.

I was incredibly excited to read it, and perhaps that was because I was interested to read something written by a professor of mine, but after beginning the book, I almost forgot entirely about the connection I had with the narrator and got so involved in the information that was being presented that I was no longer excited, but rather sort of enlivened, in a way.

The writing style is great because it begins fittingly at the beginning, allowing the reader to get involved with the subject matter as the narrator does, and in consequence, to invest almost as much emotion as the narrator. When the narrator discovers herself in need of balance and searching for a way to get there, you - the reader- find yourself also needing that balance and luckily, it is given to you in the form of this holistic approach to acting.

What I find really interesting is that everyone, no matter what their job, career, etc., finds themselves acting in every day life. By just being, and exploring the world as a human being, you use your body as your instrument and act accordingly. As an actor, you control our emotions and movements as an art, but as a human being, you must control your emotions and movements too, therefore it is just as crucial for you to figure out that sense of balance emotionally and creatively. This book allows us to explore that and it extends beyond the art of acting.

I also found solace in the section about actors as nomads. That is definitely something that could potentially weigh on an actor emotionally so it is important that they develop a center and a way to reconnect with themselves and find some sort of home within. That translates to real life again, when I have found myself living in between Maine and New York and currently sleeping on a hard wood floor in a temporary apartment! This sense of home balances a human being out and for an actor, it is imperative that the actor be at his or her best in order to perform at the healthiest possible level, presenting the most vibrant performance possible.

Separating self from character was a really important issue within this approach and one that I think many actors in the past have overlooked. I couldn’t help but think such an approach to acting would have greatly benefited actors who unfortunately seemed to be overtaken by their work- Marilyn Monroe, Heath Ledger, for example. It is important that you are able to separate reality from your work and for many who become so emotionally invested in it, it becomes easy to forget your truest self as a human being. Losing touch with that side of yourself becomes incredibly dangerous and thus, A Balancing Act, is something that could help you achieve that balance. In order to safely escape from the world of another character, you must be balanced, otherwise you’re walking on dangerous waters and your body cannot truly be used as an instrument for your craft if it isn’t in good working order.

I will say that this book is something that I actually intend to use. And perfect timing, considering my adventures in New York. I think it is incredibly useful for life, as well as for acting. Clearly it is a perfect way for any emotional actor connected with his or her spirit and sense of balance to explore healthy methods of achieving the highest creative ability. I think its great, and I am incredibly glad that I bought it.

Hillary Sproul,
model, actress, stylist (NYC)

University of Southern Maine Authors' Wall Ceremony

2008-05-03T20:07:00.000-04:00

F. Emmanuelle Chaulet and her book A BALANCING ACT, the Development of ENERGIZE! A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ACTING were honored at the annual USM Authors' Wall ceremony on Thursday April 24, 2008 at the USM Glickman Library in Portland, Maine.
The beautiful top floor function room overlooking Casco Bay hosted a lovely reception at which more than 20 USM authors were honored.

Each author received a framed book cover and explained to the audience what their work represented. USM Interim President Joe Wood spoke to the audience as well as Provost Mark Lapping.

Emmanuelle Chaulet, adjunct Faculty and Artist in Residence at USM Theatre Department expressed her gratitude for receiving such an honor, and recognized the participation of many people in the completion of her 10 years of research and 3 years of writing.
In particular she named: Lasca Hewes, her master teacher, Bernadette Curtis, owner of Holistic Pathways in Gorham, Jeannine Owens graphic designer, Susan Picinich Associate Dean, USM College of Arts and Sciences, her husband, photographer Jean-Pierre Rousset, and all the students and actors she has worked with and used as "Guinea pigs." Some of them she said, are now pursuing prestigious careers in Maine, Florida or New York.

She said she hoped her book would help actors around the world find balance in the midst of their emotionally challenging and chaotic careers, giving them tools to cope with performance stress, and ways to connect with their highest creative selves.

Her book had already been sold in ten US states, as well as England, New Zealand, Germany and France.

A Balancing Act (336 pages, illustrated $24.95) is available on line and at the USM Portland and Gorham bookstores.
For more information or to order the book please check:
www.starlightacting.org/balancingact.html

Above: F. Emmanuelle Chaulet and President Joe Wood, Photo Jean-Pierre Rousset.

Mythology of the Neurotic Artist

2008-04-17T07:48:00.000-04:00

There's is a time honored mythology of the neurotic artist who creatively feeds off his or her own trauma –that creativity is a function of inner friction. I've never fully subscribed to that. You can have a healthy, happy life and still be indelibly connected to the deeper sorrow of the world. You don't need to create personal trauma to experience darkness, In fact, in some rarefied theological schools of thought, one could argue the opposite.

From In Cahoots with Tony Taccone, interview by Ellen Mclaughlin for American Theatre Magazine September 2006

Resonance

2008-04-15T21:40:00.000-04:00

What you think or feel resonates with the rest of the world...

As actors, you can have an impact on the whole planet.
Think about it, and play with it.....
The world is your oyster, it is precious.

Becoming a Creative Channel- Shakti Gawain

2008-04-10T21:12:00.000-04:00

"Great works are not created by the ego.They arise from a deep inspiration on the universal level, and are then expressed and brought into form through the individual ego and personality."

" Creative people usually function as channels in only one area of their lives (such as art, science, or business) and have no idea how to do it in the rest of their lives. Thus, they are often terribly out of balance."

Shakti Gawain, Living In The Light

Find balance

2008-04-10T11:13:00.000-04:00

Every day, ask yourself: "What can I do today to treat and nurture my instrument?"
It need not be long, or expensive, it can be a small caring gesture that will place you at the center of your universe.

It is not selfish, it is an artist's act of self-preservation.

Artists need to nurture and care for their instruments.

If you were a pianist, would you let your piano get out of tune?
If you were a dancer, would you sleep poorly and eat junk food?
If you were a writer, would you avoid solitude and drown yourself in over-activity?

As actors, your instrument is you.

Don't send yourself to Boot Camp,

Treat yourself!

Listening to your instinct and your character - Jodie Foster

2008-04-07T20:24:00.000-04:00

"I'm happy to say I have learned a few lessons from the young performers with whom I've worked during the course of my 43 years in the entertainment business.

One of my best teachers was Abigail Breslin, the heartbreaking young actress from "Little Miss Sunshine."

This month we costar in "Nim's Island," an adventure tale about a little girl living on an otherwise uninhabited island with her father and e-mailing a neurotic adventure writer in San Francisco. That would be me.

When we were filming last summer in the Australian rain forest, Abbie, who turns 12 this month, taught me that although it's a good exercise to try to execute a director's vision, it's an actor's job to bring a full character to the table.

And that means defying arbitrary designs dictated by technical exigencies or a director's preconceived notion of the character.

Some things about a character just can't be decided while a director orders room service in his hotel.

The greatest gift an actor has is instinct. Sometimes that instinct has no grand intellectual vocabulary. Sometimes you just have to say "no."

Abbie knows exactly how to say "no" if it doesn't feel right. That was a lesson I wished I'd learned when I was her age.

Somehow she's learned to do it so sweetly and with such goodwill that directors don't even notice.

When she doesn't feel that the character should shout in a scene, she'll simply say, "Listen to it quiet. Isn't that better?"

My new rule for those of us actors still plagued with people-pleasing: Go with your instinct, even if it means saying "no." Los Angeles Times Magazine April 6, 2008

For the full article please click here:

Fatigue - Burnout

2008-04-07T09:48:00.000-04:00

From: Princeton University: Guidelines for theatre safety

Fatigue is a serious safety concern that should be considered during all stage productions. With performance dates approaching, most crew members can become severely overworked.

Follow these simple guidelines to avoid fatigue:

* Get proper rest. The average person requires 8-9 hours of sleep per night.
* Limit drugs that might contribute to fatigue (tranquilizers and cold/allergy medications)
* Reduce caffeine, nicotine and alcohol which can also contribute to fatigue.
* Take frequent breaks while working. Repetitive or long work sessions can reduce one’s ability to concentrate on the work at hand.
* Plan ahead. Having your building materials and equipment ahead of time can increase efficiency and reduce the work time required.
* Know when to quit. Recognize signs of fatigue – loss of concentration, slow reaction times, memory loss – and knock off for the day.

For the full article please click here.

Sleepless in Los Angeles: Heath Ledger

2008-04-07T09:27:00.000-04:00

From: Ian Munro in New York, Kate Benson and agencies
January 24, 2008

“Less than three months ago, Heath Ledger described his sleepless nights and mental exhaustion as he wrestled with his role as the "psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic" Joker in the new Batman film.

One night he took a sleeping pill, Ambien, to little effect. He took a second, slept for an hour, but then woke, his mind racing.

"Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night," Ledger told The New York Times.

"I couldn't stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going," he said, while admitting he also "stressed out a little too much" about his role in the Bob Dylan film I'm Not There.

Yesterday, the 28-year-old Australian film star was found dead.”

For the full article please click here:

The Risks of the Trade

2008-04-06T08:29:00.000-04:00

From an article by Kristin Kloberdanz

"Many actors relax after work with their favorite drink or a pack of cigarettes. But the obvious dangers of smoking aside, daily drinking can creep into problem drinking or even alcoholism, in people susceptible to the disease. "By and large, people in theater do not lead a hugely healthy lifestyle," Brandfonbrener says. "Actors are a pretty high-stress group. It's their long hours, their hard work, their intensity, and their personality." And until recently, cocaine and other drugs were a familiar part of film actors' landscape: Even if they weren't using them, drugs were as plentiful and available as candy. It's no wonder that the acting industry is rife with stories about famous stars struggling with their addictions."

To see the whole article please click on: http://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/actors

Marion Cotillard on leaving the character of Piaf

2008-04-04T15:39:00.000-04:00

Even the greatest actors admit it: leaving a role can be hard. You can experience post-show blues or post-performance stress. Actually, the better the performance, the harder it seems...

Here is what Marion Cotillard, Academy Award Winner 2008 (Best Actress in a Leading Role for "La Vie En Rose") says about her experience with the role of Edith Piaf:

TELERAMA INTERVIEW 1/31/2007

“ It was about letting this moment happen when the character appears. I do not know how to explain this process; that we are going to feel a person, a presence, inside of ourselves. I let myself be taken by something, not to say someone… The idea was to try not to control anything: by controlling the smallest intonation, I was afraid to take away the life of the character, and to deprive myself from pleasure.
[...] On the second day of the film shoot, I heard this voice coming out of me. It wasn’t my voice! What a shock! It was more than a voice actually: I felt in my body, the walk of Edith Piaf. It was almost mystical: the moment I had seen her, Piaf almost never let go of me again. It is not about being possessed, it is more about the feeling of being inhabited.”

LE MONDE INTERVIEW 2/3/2007

At one point though, I will have to leave Piaf.
I seemed so obvious to me before the shooting and it is so hard today. I am going through a time of mourning; I feel that I am seeing her every day; that I go to places haunted by her without knowing it. Now, I will have to take back my place within my whole body.

Do you experience Post-Performance Stress?

2008-03-31T15:23:00.000-04:00

Examples of symptoms that might sometimes happen to you:

Take our survey!

• Do you feel emptied out? Exhausted?
• Do you feel overly excited? Restless?
• Do you feel sad? Depressed?
• Do you feel lonely?
• Do you have a hard time sleeping?
• Do you have a hard time forgetting the character and coming back to your normal self?
• Do you feel confused?
• Do you need to eat a lot?
• Do you want to drink alcohol more than usual?
• Do you crave sugar?
• Do you feel a loss?
• Do you cry easily?
• Do you feel overly emotional (get over-excited or have angry outbursts)?
• Do you feel a sense of void in your life after the show is over?
• Do you feel terrible about yourself and criticize your performance, reviewing each detail?
• Do you feel fear?
• Do you feel exhilaration?
• Do you need to have people around you?
• Do you feel numb?
• Do you get sick?

List your own symptoms and how often they happen:

Mental Stress? Physical Stress? Emotional Stress?

Do a self-evaluation and post your comments.
It would help others to know they are not alone...

© Starlight Acting Institute 2008

Caring for your instrument

2008-03-27T21:46:00.000-04:00

ENERGIZE SPRING 2008 NEWSLETTER
© Emmanuelle Chaulet 2008

Happy Spring!

It doesn’t feel yet like it in Maine, but the calendar says: it is time to get out of our shells! After the going inward contraction of the winter, spring is the time to expand, try new things and explore the world.

The seeds you have planted are now growing to see the light and will bloom in an abundance of colors and scents. Take this special moment to reflect on your own growth, and plant new seeds:

- Have you planted the seeds of self-care?
- Have you planted the seeds of a renewed spiritual commitment to your own growth?
- Have you planted the seeds of finding time for yourself?
- Have you planted the seeds of living in the present?
- Have you planted the seeds of gratitude?

The famous “Secret” of success is to change your vibration to a higher frequency that will attract what you love and want, instead of focusing on what you don’t want. Thought is power, thought is energy and will manifest in the tangible world. If you change your thoughts you can change your world.

This spring, watch your spiritual seeds grow, nurture them with water, sun, light and tender love and care. You’ll see an abundance of blooming results in a few weeks.

Be patient, (there is no need to tug on the young plants like a farmer once did!) just patiently watch, wait and enjoy the time, like you would do while watching a child grow. This is your spiritual evolution you are watching enfold.

As actors, you have a responsibility to the world: to teach and show a new way so we, human beings, learn to coexist in peace and respect each other and our planet. Your mission is no smaller than that.

You are a Living Work of Art, so take care of your precious instrument: yourself.

Namaste,
Emmanuelle Chaulet

Find support, invaluable information and powerful exercises in:

A BALANCING ACT,
the development of Energize! a holistic approach to acting

($24.95. ISBN: 978-0-9799063-0-5. 336 pages –Paperback-Illustrated) is currently exclusively available through:
STARLIGHT ACTING BOOKS:
By credit card, on line (shipping in a few days) at:
www.starlightacting.org/balancingact.html

Email: energize@starlightacting.org;

and by mail at:

Starlight Acting Books, P.O. Box 171, Gorham, Maine 04038.

Also available, at the University of Southern Maine Portland Bookstore, 96 Falmouth street, Portland, Maine, 04104; and at selected drama & theatre independent bookstores around the country.

Here are a few readers’ reactions on the book.
send your own comments to :
energize@starlightacting.org

"Emmanuelle Chaulet's work was a revelation to me. I found that her work with the 'Disowned Self' was a relevant to my work as a playwright as it was to my work as a performer. A Balancing Act is long overdue!"
Carolyn Gage, award-winning lesbian-feminist playwright, performer,
director, and activist

“I wish I had discovered Energize and A Balancing Act while I was training as an actor, it would have given me a stronger spine and a more colorful spectrum of the character 's energy. Our vital force is our engine, so how can an actor perform and not be aware of that energy? It is about time to accept the osmosis between art and energy...”
Marie Preaud-Hamann, actress, model, & photographer

“Just letting you know that I have just finished reading [A Balancing Act] Energize- it has taken me a while as I wanted to really enjoy every part of the book. I absolutely loved it and felt it addressed a lot of the issues that I face as an actress. I already work with the Michael Chekhov technique and feel that this takes it all a step further and answers questions that I still didn't think had been answered. I am looking forward to putting it all into practice and will be reading it again. I would highly recommend this book. Please pass on my best wishes to Emmanuelle and thank her for creating such a much-needed acting book.
Warmest wishes”
Claire Cordingley, actress. London

“Hi Emmanuelle,
What a beautiful book! The cover is gorgeous and the color inserts are beautiful.
You did a wonderful job. You must be so happy with this.
And I am so thrilled to have an RPT bringing this work out into the theatrical world.
Best to you,”
Nancy Risley, author, RYSE, Tools for Life, Holding Your Personal Power and Life Force and developer of RYSE

"Members who experience post-performance stress disorder may be interested in a new book, A Balancing Act, by Emmanuelle Chaulet, international film actress and theatre director, Fulbright scholar and adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern Maine Department of Theatre."
Actors’ Equity Association -Winter Newsletter 2008

An Actor's Purpose

2008-03-27T19:35:00.000-04:00

An Actor’s Purpose

© Emmanuelle Chaulet 2008

Eckhart Tolle, two times bestseller author (The Power of Now and A New Earth: Awakening to your Life’s Purpose) says, “We are running out of time.”

There is no more time. Wherever you look there are conflicts, environmental issues, abuse of one culture by another, of one class by another, and of one race by another. Things must change now or humanity will simply destroy itself and its planet.

We, as actors, are a prime instrument of the change necessary to awaken the human race to a new consciousness and understanding. We are the contemporary teachers that can show, demonstrate and engage people in choosing the right path and make the right decisions so the planet finally evolves to an era of peace, understanding and compassion.

People nowadays generally watch movies more than they go to church, read books, or study spiritual teachings. Movies – and plays -– are an extraordinarily powerful way of teaching humanity. We cannot let film – and theatre– become a tool of oppression that keeps people in a state of numbness. We as actors, must rise to the challenge and transform the way we work to bring it far beyond entertainment. As actors, we are spiritual acolytes serving a greater good and we must reconnect with our higher purpose, our higher selves and raise our vibration so we can lead the way. We are much more than entertainers. We are spiritual leaders.

So, let’s examine our state of consciousness and raise it to the next level of awareness so in turn, we raise the consciousness of others. “To work on your art, work on yourself,” says Chekhov. We as actors need to learn the tools, and study the extraordinary potential of energy. With the knowledge and understanding of the subtle energetic system, we can develop our presence, our “radiation” to touch the audience – and the casting directors – at a whole other level. We can bring the consciousness of our spectators to a higher state, transform the world AND keep ourselves sane and balanced throughout that journey.

The human energy field is the part of the iceberg below the water line: the biggest, strongest, most powerful and stabilizing part; yet it is invisible. It connects you to the subtle realms of higher vibrations, and to your higher consciousness. It can elevate you to your Highest Creative Self, your Highest Acting Self.

Your next challenge is to understand the anatomy of this energetic system, practice its mechanism, and learn how to use it to its greatest potential.
The truth is: it is very easy….
You only need the very tools an actor uses every day: mind power and imagination!

So play with it, explore and Energize your work.

Emmanuelle Chaulet
Adjunct faculty/ Artist in Residence,
University of Southern Maine Department of Theatre
Author, A Balancing Act: the development of Energize! a holistic approach to acting
Paper back -336 pages – Illustrated
Published in 2008 by STARLIGHT ACTING BOOKS

To get the book visit:
http://www.starlightacting.org/balancingact.html
to contact Emmanuelle: energize@starlightacting.org

This Blog's Intent

2008-03-27T14:42:00.000-04:00

Welcome to A BALANCING ACT Blog.
This blog is a forum to discuss holistic acting techniques, and in particular Energize! a holistic approach to acting.
We welcome your comments and feed back on the book:
" A BALANCING ACT, the development of Energize! a holistic approach to acting,"
by F. Emmanuelle Chaulet and published by Starlight Acting Books
http://www.starlightacting.org/balancingact.html

Discussion topics can include: energy work for actors, post-performance stress, pre-performance anxiety, the actor's higher purpose, connecting with the essence of your character, character withrawal, post-performance blues, finding closure, life style choices for optimal performance, and finding your highest creative self...

Write, share, discuss, learn, enjoy...

Energize your work!

Emmanuelle Chaulet