gerlash

I WAS LOOKING at various photo albums posted on Facebook by colleagues and friends, taken during music festivals, concerts and theater productions—complete with the outlandish costumes that were a hallmark of the 1980s.

The fashions may have changed, but the audiences have remained the same: unpredictable.

For the most part, many of our more established performers can rely on audiences that are with them for the entire show, engaged and invested in everything they do. These are the crowds that sing along with the songs, get up from their seats and dance, and cheer with all their might until the curtain call rolls around.

However, as all performers know only too well, this isn’t always the case. All of us have had to perform for, well, our share of tough crowds.

Checklist

We have differing definitions for what a tough crowd is: It could be anything from an abnormally quiet audience (so quiet that we can hear crickets in the venue); or one that ignores a performer outright by talking loudly while the show is going on (I’ve fallen prey to this type of audience and dub myself the “hired help” in this instance); and still another type that considers us invisible, as if we’re not there.

So how does a performer prepare for what could possibly be a tough crowd, besides that requisite vocal warm-up and cosmetic primping? And what does one do once in front of that audience, when the world seems like it’s coming to a fiery, apocalyptic end?

I don’t exactly stand in a corner and give myself a pep talk. But I mentally prepare myself for whatever could possibly happen out there.

There’s a checklist that I keep in my head: Will I be performing during dinner/dessert? Is there alcohol that will be served? How will I deal with clanging silverware? What is my audience? I sit quietly and psych myself up for anything and everything. Most of the time it works, but there are instances when it doesn’t.

Forging ahead

In the not-so-distant past, I did a corporate gig, at one point dueting with one of my good friends. He and I were really getting into the song, putting forth our emotions, feeling every lyric.

When the song was over and we faced the audience to take a bow, we received sparse applause (in a room of about 500 people, I counted maybe 10 clapping for us). Yes, it might seem arrogant and egotistical to place a high expectation upon an audience, but I’ll be honest, I felt bad for myself—and even more so for my duet partner, who is a much more established performer than I am. Throughout the rest of my set, I had him in mind.

While singing solo, I spotted a little girl (she must have been about 10 years old) watching the performance with full attention. At that moment, the rest of the people in the room virtually disappeared, and I did all my songs for her. If not for her, forging ahead would have been more difficult. I was thankful that she was there.

At some gigs, friends show up to keep me company. These are people who know me inside-out, which means they can tell when a show is going south. They can feel my anxiety level rise. I seek them out in the crowd and strive to make eye contact. It’s to them that I “broadcast” that I’m starting to feel a bit antsy.

Calm me down

They then look right back at me, and “calm me down.” No one needs to say or do anything. All it takes is one look, and I’m fine.

For the most part, I am so thankful for the audiences that come to see my shows. They are some of the most incredible, receptive and engaged crowds I’ve ever seen.

But once in a while, a tough one comes along, and all I can really do is just keep doing what I love to do, shrug my shoulders, and move forward.

Eh, that’s show business, I guess.

Shameless plugs

Joanna Ampil (“Miss Saigon,” “Avenue Q,” “Les Misérables,” “Jesus Christ Superstar”) will perform in a concert titled “West End Girl” on Sept. 18 at OnStage Theatre, Greenbelt 1. Her special guest is Ariel Rivera, with music by Gerard Salonga and FILharmoniKA. The concert is presented by AmbientMedia.

Joanna is an amazingly talented singer and actress, and this concert is sure to be a treat. Be there!

Log on to ticketworld.com.ph or call 891-9999.

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20100908-291224/How-to-deal-with-a-tough-audience

I am very much challenged by my role in Xanadu. There are many things to contend with, lots of new skills to learn and get used to. I will need complete focus to pull this off. I can’t wing this!

7. How do you deal with intrigues? 

Thankfully, I’ve had very little intrigue to deal with in my career in general. When I was 21, I would get upset. Nowadays, I never even give them a second thought. For someone in showbiz, I honestly don’t care that much about what other people say or think about me. Everyone is entitled to his opinion.

8. The best thing said about you? The worst?

The best? My reviews for my role as Kate Monster/Lucy The Slut in Avenue Q especially the praises I got from director, Bobby Garcia when he wrote an article about the women in that show. The worst? That I somehow reminded someone of Celine Dion. I’m not a fan of Celine’s.

9. Who makes you laugh?

My cousin, Niño. We always have a great time. He’s hilarious. 

10. What is your favorite expression? 

Do the Roar from Shrek IV

11. If you were a fictional character, who would you be? Why?

I would love to be the Vampire Lestat or Edward Cullen. They are the two best vampire characters in fiction in my opinion. I’m obsessed with Vampire Stories. The idea of immortality, never getting sick or old has always been extremely appealing to me.

12. If you were to be born again with a Siamese twin, who would be your twin? Why?

I would love to be the twin of Angelina Jolie. I’m completely in love with her. She is a bad-ass goddess!

13. What name would you have given yourself?   

I like the name Ariana. Rachel is super common.

14. How will you describe your first kiss?

Thrilling except the guy I kissed turned out to be gay and in love with my best friend, who is a boy.

15. What is your greatest fear?

Driving. I’ve tried taking lessons but I’m just too afraid. I feel like I might kill someone cause I’m blind, can’t multi-task and have poor reflexes.

16. Electric chair or life imprisonment?

Life imprisonment, of course.

17. The most expensive item you bought for yourself?

My Rolex watch that replaced the one my mom gave me and I lost.

18. The best place on Earth?

Amanpulo. If you’ve never been there, you have to go. It’s unreal. By far, the most perfectly beautiful beach in the world.

19. Given the opportunity to come face to face with God, what question would you ask Him?

I would ask Him why good people like my stepmom (Rio Diaz) had to suffer so much, why a vibrant, generous person could be struck down with cancer at such a young age. I still miss her and sometimes think how my life would be so different if she were still around.

20. If you go to hell who would you want to be with you?

It might be more bearable down there with funny people. So ya, maybe Will Ferrell or something.

21. If you have wings, where would you go? 

I would fly everywhere, all over the world. I’d love to see the pyramids of Egypt.

22. Where are you now? Heaven, hell, limbo?

Heaven! This is the happiest I’ve ever been.

23. What is your fetish?

Shaved head and salt and pepper hair on a man. My boyfriend has both and I’m always touching his head. It’s very relaxing.