The Dojo Actors

Article precap: 1️⃣ Theory 2️⃣ Practice 3️⃣ TL;DR summary 4️⃣ References 5️⃣ Recommended citation Given that I'd never even vaguely entertained the idea of committing to a PhD until one of my future advisors suggested it on a Zoom call (hi Steven!), it surprises me how frequently Dojo actors ask about postgrad research. After all, it's a life move very few of our folk make.

Article precap: 1️⃣ Theory 2️⃣ Practice 3️⃣ TL;DR summary 4️⃣ References 5️⃣ Recommended citation "Sports can make people feel mortal or truly immortal, imbue life with meaning or call it into question; they can solidify identities and self-worth or undermine them; they can make athletes feel all alone or an integral part of something special; they can be vehicles for asserting personal freedom or constrainers of our sense of freedom."[1] Switch out "sport" for "acting" and "athletes" for...

The content we consume influences the person and performer we become. This is a drum we'll bang until the Dojo desists: our content diet matters more than we think. Historically, we've published a round-up of our favourite reads at the end of each year. This year, however, we thought we'd mix in a few of our fave podcasts, TV series, and films for a little extra variety. A conscious content diet doesn't have to be boring or restrictive.

When most people think of actors, they imagine the glamour of movies, television and the stage. Yet few people realise actors are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts than the general population. Because behind the glitzy facade lie the pressures of performing in the public eye, challenging working conditions and taxing emotional demands.

"Relax" is a tricky note for us actors to receive. On the one hand, performance contexts are inherently stressful.[1] On the other hand, "relaxing" will likely improve our performance.[2] Still, it's a vague note. It neither specifies the perceived "problem" nor the suggested "solution". In this article, you'll learn what directors / teachers actually mean by this note (jump there now) and what to do about it (jump there now).

Raise your hand if your actor self can relate to any of the following: Engaging in "a range of self-critical cognitions and behaviours".[1] Exposure to "high levels of [...] evaluation and critical assessment".[2] Existing "within high pressure competitive and often hostile or critical environments".[3] Experiencing frequent "setbacks, disappointments, and failures".[4] External expectations of "body weight and shape."[5] "Financial difficulty and job instability."[6] "Social media or...

Aaand we're back with part two of our series on self-determination theory for actors! Eight months after part one, yes, but the window is shrinking with each instalment! (For new Dojo friends, we procrastinated on publishing part one for 18 months.) We'll refer ourselves to our own article on commitment issues 🫡 In part one, we introduced one of six mini-theories under the self-determination theory umbrella: basic psychological needs theory.[1] We'd recommend that read for moments when...

"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." ~ Zig Ziglar One of the biggest unlocks we've had in applying sport psychology to our personal process as an actor was fully absorbing the following: peak performers don't become peak performers because of superior external circumstances and / or internal experiences that make their achievements inevitable.

If you've been following along lately, you may have noticed the Dojo is on a bit of a mission. From our bigger picture pieces on making peak performance and peak experience concrete, to our more detailed posts on specific tools (e.g., preparatory routines and mental rehearsal), the Dojo is in its let's πŸ‘ proper πŸ‘ move πŸ‘ the πŸ‘ needle πŸ‘ era. Actors need access to the same wealth of psychological skills training as athletes, dancers, and musicians. Period.

It's a shame so few actors know that we don't have to "feel good" in order to "perform good".[1] Oh, the heartbreaks and headaches we'd spare ourselves... However, it's understandable that we might want to feel good regardless. As has been pointed out, "It is useful to remember occasionally that life unfolds as a chain of subjective experiences.