Center Stage
This month I honed my performance skills.
As I mentioned in previous blog posts, I am an introvert and I am most content when I am out of the spotlight. I do, however, understand the importance of challenging myself and confronting my fears in order to learn and grow. My infatuation with dance was born out of this inner awareness.
I have always adored the performing arts and through my years of dance I mastered the technique of getting into character. As I have proceeded through my life journey I have witnessed how this skill is also a useful tool, when needed, in combating my reclusive self.
This month I was invited to be part of some special events to celebrate the Children’s Book of the Year Awards, Book Week and the Canberra Writers Festival. I was truly honoured to be included in these prestigious events. Being involved also meant I found myself center stage on several occasions throughout the month. A wonderful opportunity for this introvert to extrovert and perform my new role as an author.
At some of the functions I attended I was fortunate to meet others in the industry, including those that I have looked up to and admired for many years. As I shared my phobia of public speaking with one of these industry greats he smiled and explained “It is all an opportunity to act. Most authors are introverts and their public persona is a performance”. Those words resonated with me instantly, I was back in my dance class.
Taking to the stage, following this epiphany, was magic. I was no longer Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern the shy one with the very long name. I was Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern the vivacious author (well something like that).
This concept of performing an extroverted version of myself married quite nicely with my vow to have fun! As I knew this month would require a lot of energy, I consciously decided to take each day as it came, savour every moment and have fun at all accounts (credit goes to my dad for encouraging me to do this). I threw caution to the wind and used every opportunity to catapult out of my comfort zone and character build.
My commitment to refining my performance skills and being a bit of a geek (I love to learn), I decided to attend Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton’s performance at the Canberra Theatre, purely from a “research” perspective (that’s my story and I am sticking with it). I was thrilled to see these Children’s literary rock stars and bask in their brilliance. Andy and Terry were true entertainers on stage, they were performers and the kids loved every minute (and so did the adults). They captivated each and every member of the audience and their down-to-earth nature made me an instant fan. I gained a lot from watching these literary stars center stage and the standout for me was the amount of fun they seemed to be having. They were unregimented and exuberant.
I feel I have come a long way this month. It has been a month of growth and sheer delight as I faced my own fears center stage. I bravely and confidently stood up in front of 400 students and delivered a ‘Charlie’s Adventures…in Hawaii’ presentation for a Book Week event, I spoke at the National Museum of Australia at the inaugural Canberra Writers Festival and cheerfully networked with industry elites. No-one would have known that every fibre of my being was trembling on each one of these occasions. I was acknowledged for my presentations and the children at the Book Week event (those very important souls I write for) gave me a heavenly response. After all these special moments I relished in the fact that my comfort zone was a distant mirage.
Exploring the craft of acting and performing through my years of dancing has proved to be invaluable. It has been a life lesson I draw upon constantly. It has helped this quiet and shy girl stand tall when needed. As my mum would say “I am a born performer” and now I can add the role of extrovert to my acting repertoire.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH
Canberra Writers Festival
Author Visit – Book Week 2016
