An actor must cultivate concentration as it is their most essential skill. Concentration allows an actor to focus their attention wherever and whenever needed, whether on stage or off, and remain focused with a specific intention. Just as an Olympic runner or first responder must remain intensely focused in high-pressure moments, actors and litigators must also master concentration to take control of unpredictable situations.
1. Concentration
• There are few things that we can control when
we walk into court each day.
• As unstable and unpredictable an
environment that the courtroom is, there is
one thing that we still have control over:
where we put our attention.
• We can put it all on ourselves or on something
else outside of yourself.
3. Concentration
• The essential building block for an actor (i.e.,
his DNA) is his concentration.
• An actor must be the master of his
concentration.
4. Concentration
• An actor must be able to gather his attention
and put it where he wants to put it – on set,
off set – any place, any time.
5. Concentration
• The ability to focus your attention at will is
critical for every performing artist.
• Concentration is the muscle that allows you to
focus. It’s the first necessary essential thing.
• The type of concentration that I’m referring to
is a focused alertness with a specific intention.
• Here are two examples.
6. Concentration
• First, an Olympic runner lining up at the
starting line right before the gun goes off.
7. Concentration
• Second, a paramedic or first responder in a
moment of crisis without all of the chaos.
They take control of the situation immediately.
This is the kind of focus that both acting, and
litigation, demands.
8. Concentration
• “To take the heat off yourself – to transfer the
point of concentration outside of yourself – is
a big battle won.” – Sanford Meisner
