Second Post: Presence is Living

1. How does Patsy Rodenburg define Presence?
Patsy defines Presence as a jolt of energy between people, such as a shared eye contact or a moment. It's when your energy is fully connected to the world and what surrounds you, receiving energy back in return. It is pretty much a shared force of energy between yourself and the world. The only way to experience an emotion, moment, or the world completely is to be fully present. Patsy also notes that moments of complete presence are usually easily remembered and cherished. Presence is being alive, within yourself, others, and the world all at once.

2. What are some ways that Presence is lost? When do you feel a loss or weakness of presence?
Presence can be lost by urban living, or even walking around campus. When someone is surrounded by hundreds of people, it's not possible to be present with every single one. Presence is also lost when people go into the state of the First or Third Circle, as opposed to the Second. I feel a loss of presence when driving alone, walking around campus, sitting in a giant auditorium full of people, or when I am sleep-deprived--I'm too focused on imagining sleep and comfort.

3. What is First Circle? When have you experienced yourself in First Circle?
First circle is focusing your energy solely on yourself, or inside yourself. It is being too engulfed within yourself that you are unable to communicate with the outside world as well. I experience first circle when I am surrounded by possibly dangerous strangers, in an uncomfortable environment, or even when Third Circle individuals force an unwanted interaction.

4. What is Third Circle? When have you experienced yourself in Third Circle?
Third circle is focusing one's energy onto the outer world, but not individually. It is used as a means of controlling others and as power. I am actually not fond of being in Third Circle much at all. I find it necessary in business to be charming, but I still try to stress it to the individual. A major drawback on my lack of Third Circle is the fact that I do not give well presentations, because in my mind I want to communicate it specifically to each individual but that's not possible in the situation. A situation with Third Circle that I have experienced is babysitting. While I want to feel equal and connected to the children, I know that I must assume an authoritative role at times. I am so good at playing with the children, but not at ordering them around.

5. What is Second Circle? Relate a personal experience (in performance, athletics, etc) when you have been in Second Circle.
Second Circle is connecting with someone's or the world's energy. It is an equal share of energy and life. To me, it is living. It is the most powerful energy of all, and something that I can definitely never forget. When I see someone I find interesting, I always feel an enormous sense of presence when our eyes are met. My old friend always told me my eyes said a million things, even if people sometimes misread them. I will always choose to be present more than not, and people usually notice that about me. I know this question asks only for one personal experience, but I'm going to list three because I found this to be a very enlightening and helpful read on understanding my presence.

1. When I was performing my monologue last semester in front of my class, I was asked to give it 1000% the second time. My first line being, "You know what, jackass?" I channeled my energy on anger and experience. As I said the line once more, giving much more energy and effort, I felt a jolt of shock because it was just very present for me. However, that energy shocked me so much that I was thrown out of my presence right after. My luck!

2. My old friend has three dogs. One of the dogs is the youngest, but biggest of the three. Another of the dogs is the oldest, but at least three times smaller. They hate each other. The oldest dog will growl if the other dog even nears him. The oldest dog will also growl when he hears something outside, like visitors coming inside. As I spent most of one of my summer's at this house, I was there a lot. I sat next to the oldest dog a lot because he was cute and actually sweet. Whenever he would start to growl, I would stroke his fur and shh him. I would give him my calming energy and it would actually work. My friend and her family thought it was so weird, but I think that that was presence.

3. One instance, my friends and I went out to have dinner. My friend across the table kept coughing and coughing. I felt compassion. For no reason, my first instinct was to grab his hand and "send him my energy" through my eyes. He stopped coughing. I was literally shocked out of my mind, cause I didn't know exactly why I did it or why it worked. I blame presence.

First Post

1. Why are you taking this class?
I am taking this class to further my knowledge of theater and the proper movement to convey certain emotions/characters.

2. What is your major?
My major is Theater.

3. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
 I am an ambivert. If asked which plays a bigger role however, I would say extrovert.

4. What questions/subjects/hobbies are you most interested in?
Acting, dancing, writing, movies, singing, yoga, music, cooking, decorating, learning new things in general

5. What does presence mean to you? Do you have "it"?
To me, presence means being completely in a situation. It means not being distracted, or present elsewhere, such as on the phone or computer while talking to someone. I think it means being fully aware and engulfed in a moment, activity, or action. It means giving your all to whatever it is that you are doing. I feel that my overall presence is always great, except if I am too sleep-deprived.

6. How do you feel about your body?
I feel negatively about my body due to lack of exercise and health problems.

7. In what ways are you confident or proud about your body or your ways of moving?
I am very confident about my waist and being able to move it really well, in dancing or other activities.

8. In what ways are you self-conscious about your body or ways of moving?
I am not confident of my legs because they are very unhealthy, but I need to be able to rely on them for many activities like walking, running, or pretty much everything. I also am very unskilled at accessing my core or stomach muscles. I am self-conscious of my unhealthy skin problems, which I am still working to fix.

9. What do you hope to get out of this class?
I hope to learn the proper techniques to moving on stage, and also be able to master my body movements more than I am now. I also hope to become more flexible.

10. Where will you be in five years? In ten?
I will never be able to know where I will be in that many years or hope to know. I find the mystery of it all to me much better. However, hopefully in five years, I will receive some mystery opportunity for a wonderful job, allowing me to move away to somewhere new. It would be wonderful if I could be a professional actress, but it is hard to achieve that. I will work my butt off to get there though! In ten years, I may be a professional in whatever working field I end up being successful in. I'll have my own house by then, and maybe a lucky lad with me too. In both of those time periods, I know for certain I will strive to be happy and always learning new things.