Originally we named this sin ‘not listening’ but inattentiveness was not only neater, but better represented what we meant by encompassing the non-auditory forms of this vice.
Further obvious focus-savers are: dressing comfortably, not turning up hungry, wearing a watch so you have the time and, on shownights, avoiding dealing with ticketing or venue issues – preferably recruiting someone other than the cast to deal with ‘stuff’.
Other external distractions are much harder to deal with and, depending on your sensibilities, the best you can do is an element of ‘fake it until you make it’ or else being aware of the fact you are distracted. Reviewers or friends in the audience, uncontrollable laughter, being in love or in grief, and morning sickness number amongst these evils.
Brilliant and so true. Improv’s fun but without concentration you can be the last in the room to pick up on an opening.
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