I'm fairly new to the improv scene (under 1 year experience under my belt) and am just curious what people tend to use as energy boosters before practice/class/performance. Lately I've just been drinking straight-up coffee but I'm curious to see what other people do as more sleep is probably not an option for me and I'm working on fine-tuning that balance between awake and chattering my teeth on stage. Any other dietary routines or rituals people do as well?
What energy drink/caffeinated beverage/wonderdrug do you use?
- Thread starter JDLP
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I go through phases, but mostly, I try to drink coffee before improv. I used to do Red Bull.
I also try not to eat a lot right before improv, because then I feel sluggish and tired, and not even coffee will save me.
Exercise seems to help too. Some nootropics are great, but expensive.
Psyching myself up works better than anything else. Once you figure out how to do that in ways that work for you, you can give yourself all the energy you need.
I also try not to eat a lot right before improv, because then I feel sluggish and tired, and not even coffee will save me.
Exercise seems to help too. Some nootropics are great, but expensive.
Psyching myself up works better than anything else. Once you figure out how to do that in ways that work for you, you can give yourself all the energy you need.
Arizona green tea with ginseng and honey (in a can) and then Aquafina water
Caffeine boosts adrenaline, ginseng increases blood flow, honey soothes the throat, water is a vital human nutrient.
I also recommend stretching, push-ups, a walk, etc. a little before a show, but then relaxing right as you're about to go on.
Caffeine boosts adrenaline, ginseng increases blood flow, honey soothes the throat, water is a vital human nutrient.
I also recommend stretching, push-ups, a walk, etc. a little before a show, but then relaxing right as you're about to go on.
One rehearsal I coached I brought sweets. It was among the least focused rehearsals we had. We attributed the lack of focus to the sweets. So I wouldn't advise them.
I used to use energy drinks in abundance. One time I was so tired and on an energy drink, I basically was awake but could process nothing onstage. A scene partner would say a simple sentence and I would just be blinking. Nothing would stick in my head.
Ergo, I don't advise energy drinks (more simply caffeine). Instead, I advise rest and sleep.
Exercise I believe is a better form of pick-me-up for improv. Stretch, do energy warm-ups, and do exercises that build your associative memory before improv. That's a "natural" way to go about doing these kinds of shows.
And if you're tired? Just admit to it. Perform tired. See what that experience is like. There's no reason to ABC ("always be caffeinated") when performing.
Ben
I used to use energy drinks in abundance. One time I was so tired and on an energy drink, I basically was awake but could process nothing onstage. A scene partner would say a simple sentence and I would just be blinking. Nothing would stick in my head.
Ergo, I don't advise energy drinks (more simply caffeine). Instead, I advise rest and sleep.
Exercise I believe is a better form of pick-me-up for improv. Stretch, do energy warm-ups, and do exercises that build your associative memory before improv. That's a "natural" way to go about doing these kinds of shows.
And if you're tired? Just admit to it. Perform tired. See what that experience is like. There's no reason to ABC ("always be caffeinated") when performing.
Ben
