How do you stay connected with your partner while doing the Meisner Technique?

Hey everyone,
Over the next several weeks, we’re going to be sharing some of the wonderful questions and answers from our very first webinar. I hope you find these helpful!
Here we go…
 One part of the technique I’m finding particularly challenging right now is staying connected to my partner while being distracted by my activity. What’s your advice for managing distractions while always remaining focused on my partner’s life?
Well, that’s easy! It’s called practice. Practice, practice, practice, practice. That’s why we meet twice a week. It’s why we want you to meet a minimum three times a week outside of class.
For those that are joining us that aren’t currently studying the Meisner Technique or haven’t had any introduction to it, suffice it to say one of the core foundations that Sandy came up with, the principle behind the Meisner Technique, was his clear belief that people are horrible listeners in life. And then put them in a heightened situation being in front of other people, and ‘bad’ listening goes to ‘horrific.’
So before he could even begin to teach the principles and the craft of acting, he needed people to be world class listeners to be able to show up. And so he created a process to make that happen, and so this first question deals with that stage of the training.
Back to the question: “I’m finding myself distracted, it’s hard to be focused on something else and stay wide open to my partner.” I get it, that’s why we go through this technique and through this process.
The answer is “practice” and initially we try to do the technique but eventually with enough practice and seasoning, literally it starts doing you. I use that phrase all the time, you don’t even have to think about it anymore. Where you are today, what’s considered ‘good work’ for you now will be different in two weeks, and you’ll grow and just keep growing.
Listen to our alumni in those testimonials, they’ll talk about the evolution, to be patient, to be humble, to work hard, to trust that it is going to lead somewhere, and to understand that the best way to really advance this (because it really is a technique) is to practice, practice, practice, and with as many different people as you can.
That’s my answer: patience and practice.
 
I HAVE A GIFT FOR YOU
I’d like to invite you to check out my Artistic Family Newsletter. These newsletters are for any actor in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, New York, Europe and beyond because my goal every week is to empower, inspire and educate any actor living anywhere who has the burning desire to really do this.
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ANOTHER GIFT FOR YOU
When you register today I’ll also send you the link to my latest Q&A Webinar that was held a few weeks back. This hour long video Webinar was a wonderful exchange between myself and dozens from our Artistic Family members so I hope you’ll enjoy the information as much as I enjoyed sharing it.
Ok, see you next Wednesday so until then my very best to you,
Jim