Perspectives on Performance

POP Podcast E04: Andrew Gaines –Could we all benefit from a community where fierce, stressful competitiveness gave way to mindful kindness and supportive interaction?

Louise’ guest Andrew Gaines not only believes this is true, but has spearheaded a global movement to do just that – The Great Transition Initiative.

Both Louise and Andrew are exponents of Moshe Feldenkrais. The ‘Feldenkrais method’ is a somatic universal method for improving human life through better movement, sensation, posture and breathing (think Alexander technique and Pilates).

Although less well known within Australia, there are millions around the world who have benefited from Feldenkrais’ methods. Many performers who have studied overseas (Louise as opera singer in Vienna for example :>) have been exposed to these techniques in order to enhance their performances in many of the Arts.

Andrew has practiced as a psychotherapist during his long career, using Feldenkrais principles in therapy. But don’t try contacting him on that channel anymore! He has wholly dedicated his time to the Great Transition Initiative. When Louise asked ‘where could he be contacted’ during the interview, he quips: “Nowhere!” (which we hope means: everywhere there is mindful kindness to be found ;>).

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POP PODCAST E03: CASSIDY LACREME – How many separate interviewees would you need for: a world famous singer, Marilyn Munroe model, TV gangster actor, and Malaysian social media superstar? In Cassidy’s case, only one. She’s done it all, and continues to do it – with her latest post going viral to 9.5 million viewers.

Louise and Cassidy share stories about ‘stage fright’, how to engage with (and manage) your audience and reflect on the ‘careful what you wish for’ treasures and traps of popularity.

Cassidy has chosen to base herself back in Australia, closer to family and friends after a long and sometimes risky and frenetic stay in Singapore. But your emotional health isn’t the only thing to consider – it’s your physical health too. Louise and Cassidy reflect on occasions during their lives when those golden vocal cords have needed special care and rest.

In a stand up illustration of stage positioning, posture and movement of the gaze the two unpack techniques for attracting and deflecting attention, engaging and throwing focus and the curious ‘movement followed by static’ method.

You’ll learn about a raft of cultural performance differences – how one holds oneself, postures of deference and gendered evaluation; everything from pop star to magician’s assistant.

Cassidy is promoting her forthcoming book, describing her life experiences: ‘How to be a woman of influence – a cautionary tale’. You’ll love this laid back, insightful and in-depth interview.

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EP-02 JEFF CIVILLICO – It’s easy to be envious of those who have always known exactly what they wanted to do with their lives. Las Vegas entertainer and philanthropist Jeff Civillico is an enviable prime example.

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Jeff’s first insight into his future life’s work came at the tender age of seven in a street performance at the unlikely venue of Harvard in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Called out from the crowd, he has been spinning plates on sticks and balancing 12 foot ladders on his chin ever since, to the delight of audiences – young and old.

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Louise and Jeff discuss the ways in which performers have adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic. For physical entertainers like Jeff, the emphasis has moved away from large room acrobatics to small screen sight gags, and what he calls ‘hosting’ (the ability to use comedy and ‘calling out’ to increase audience engagement and interaction). Listen out for the ‘bottle flipping’ story, where the performer becomes the audience member, and vice versa – a master stroke in connection and inclusion.

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Jeff and Louise reflect on some interesting and surprising elements of performance and motivation:

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>We are all performers

>Life versus formal training

>Virtual presentation and framing

>Flow, energy and the ‘temperature’ of your audience

>Show structure and pacing

>Finding something bigger than yourself

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In a fabulous conclusion to Jeff’s origin story, he speaks of a reunion with his street performer mentor – they both performed together many years later in Jeff’s Las Vegas show.

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It’s all about giving back and acknowledging where you came from for Jeff. This is also beautifully evidenced by his Win-win shows that offer free entertainment for kids in hospital – now delivered on Zoom to any location in the world.

You can find out more about Jeff HERE!

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EP-01 SAM KEKOVICH – Although Sam is not the only footballer who transitioned to sports commentary, he certainly is the only one to turn his hand (and mouth) to cultural comedy, brilliant and controversial ‘Lambassador’ for the Australian meat industry and much sought after keynote speaker.

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But as Sam reveals to Louise, it hasn’t always been a painless slide down the splintery bannister of life. Early stardom and a huge public profile in his football career turned out to be an incredible start during his teenage years, but was relatively short lived. Only after a big thud back to earth did Sam begin adapting his disciplines in repetition, practice, word play and improvisation to complement – as he puts it with tongue firmly in cheek – his ‘erudition and good looks’!

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You’ll quickly notice the self-deprecating, intelligent, sincere and straightforward family man behind the ranting, satirical character, having survived some pretty impassioned (and failed) ‘gag-orders’ over the years. Freedom of speech and expression being important themes to Sam in these sometimes stiflingly politically correct times.

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Louise and Sam unpack some really insightful elements of public performance:

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> The ‘low, slow and loud’ factor

> Presence and gravitas

> Confidence and delivery

> Presentation and content

> Audience ‘horse sense’

> Conversation versus lecturing

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It’s an action packed 15 minutes, and in Sam’s words:

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“You’ll know it makes sense!”

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POP Trailer Episode –  Louise interviews a cavalcade of fellow performers from’ all walks’ in this must listen series, for anyone wanting to enhance their presence or profile. Join Louise and her superstar guests as we delve into the mind of the performer.

A sneak peek…

Welcome to the Perspectives on Performance (POP) podcast

Louise interviews a cavalcade of fellow performers from’ all walks’ in this must listen series, for anyone wanting to enhance their presence or profile. Join Louise and her superstar guests as we delve into the mind of the performer.

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