Mind Blank on Stage? A 3-Step Reboot for Your Brain
Your Improv Brain
Real-Life Practice: Dance Fitness Experience
Jen shares how she used analogous fallback moves during fitness teaching to admit mistakes, reconnect, and entertain the room.
That feeling of your mind going completely blank on stage is a top fear for any performer. But what if it's not a personal failure?
This week, I explain how this is often a biological response to being overwhelmed, not a lack of ideas.
In this episode, you'll learn a simple, three-step system to effectively reboot your brain when it crashes. This practical technique works with your body's natural responses to get you out of your head and painlessly back into the scene, turning a moment of panic into a moment of connection.
You'll also learn the final, most important safety net all improvisers have.
Read and share the web article for this episode, which includes the YouTube video and this podcast. Find it here.
In this episode, I refer to an earlier episode called "A Source of Great Improv Ideas (bonus: Get Out of Your Head)". This was episode 26.
Find the YouTube here.
Read the article and find the podcast here.
Downloadable content
Download the Free Post-Show Reflection Guide: Sent to your inbox when you subscribe to either newsletter (and added to the footer to each message if you're already subscribed).
NEW! Comprehensive guides all about getting notes as a student, or giving them as a teacher. Two guides, big discount if you get both! https://improvupdate.com/notes
Get a booklet with six exercises to help you get reps in challenging scenes called "Exercises to Ruin You"
Get more downloadable booklets here: https://improvupdate.com/downloads
Review the show
Please consider leaving a review wherever you review podcasts. Don't know where? Here are some options.
It helps out! Thanks!
Support the show
- Like this episode or show and want more? Support us with a one-time tip: https://learn.improvupdate.com/products/support
- We love our podcast host Capitvate.fm! Contact to ask me anything, anytime. You can support the shows by signing up with Captivate here: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=yzjiytz
- We have our newsletters on Kit.com. We also have our tip form with them, and sell products on their platform. Easy, and they don't take a cut! Check Kit out and support the show using this: https://partners.kit.com/ijdkivtf8ndd
- Transcriptions by MacWhisper. I use and love the Pro version (subscription free!) - you can get it too using this link: https://gumroad.com/a/20303251/ivpqk
- Schedule posts? We use Metricool (reasonable for multiple accounts/brands/shows). Support us using our link: https://f.mtr.cool/VZBOZR
- Support the show and get creative templates and assets: https://share.uppbeat.io/p4od8inwhc2j
About
This podcast was created, written, and is hosted by Jen deHaan. Jen has certifications related to healthy communities (Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy), nervous system regulation and soon teacher training certification on community resilience. She has a BFA in teaching creative arts to adults. You can find her full bio here.
This episode was and edited and produced by StereoForest.com.
This podcast was made in British Columbia, Canada by StereoForest Podcasts.
Mentioned in this episode:
Student and Teacher/Coach Guides about NOTES in Improv
Find more information, Table of Contents and links to get the guides at https://improvupdate.com/notes
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
The AI-powered Podcast Player
