The purpose of this Business Acting course is the acquisition of greater expressive power for later use in business communications. This is done through learning & then practicing in class exercises specific communication tools borrowed from Acting & live theatre. This participatory & experiential course concerns itself with live communication in public space, & with empathetic listening and assertive influence among live people present in the room.
The course teaches Seven Stages to Expressive Power -- steps through which a Speaker motivates & inspires Listeners, & presents the Speaker’s “Best Possible Self”. The Seven Stages guide participants through a change in self-perception, & provide practical tools of influence rooted in the basic concept of “Action”.
This is not a course in professional lying. Instead, it teaches expressive power to better communicate what you believe -- in live, interpersonal, face-to-face communication.
This course does not prescribe pat, “correct” answers regarding correct behavior in a boardroom, etc. Nor does this course try to mimic the acting of movies or television – acting that would be rendered ineffective if reproduced before a live audience.
Instead, the course teaches basic techniques in interpersonal communication, and helps participants become more purposeful, expressive & effective and how to overcome their own inhibitions or less-effective methods of communication. Instead of attempting to turn out uniform, interchangeable public speakers, the course prepares participants with an innovative arsenal of unexpected yet practical tools of influence, so that they can present their Best Possible Selves.
Stage One of the Seven Stages is “Enthusiasm, Curiosity & Respect” -- which the participant must bring to the course & make evident in all exercises. Participants must work from a desire to have greater control in how one influences others.
The course has been referred to as “cross training for business people”, or even “the fundamentals of charisma”. This course will not improve your PowerPoint; instead, it will improve the person in front of your PowerPoint.
Key take-aways of this course are:
a) Understanding the concept of “Action” & knowing how to use it to influence others;
b) a new, empathetic & assertive Speaker-to-Listener mindset;
c) visual, aural & temporal communication tools with which to create a greater human connection between Speaker & Listeners, including: focus, body language, posture, stillness & movement, gesture, key words, inflection, vocally commanding a room, progression of thought, objective, & dynamic diversity;
d) new awareness of your public self & public credibility;
e) methods to manage tension or “stage fright”;
f) & greater involvement of your humanity when communicating.
(2010-GH)
