ARTICLES


Maintaining the Fourth Wall:
Keeping Your Concentration and Focus Onstage
Backstage Feature - July 30, 2004
Featuring Gabriel Martinez


Actor: Gabriel Martinez—Use Breathing Techniques

Credits: Theatre: "The Green Dragon," "As Five Years Pass," and "Hitchcock in the Twilight Zone."

Current Project: Short drama "Capsule," which will be presented Aug. 12-13 at the Producers Club as part of the Riant Theatre's Strawberry One-Act Festival.

Concentration Tips: "As an actor in the theatre, I find myself using breathing techniques frequently. While on a set for a TV or film role, I find it harder to remain focused. There are so many things going on at once that sometimes I find myself going to a quiet area in order to get away from the chaos. Sometimes you feel as if you've given a great performance, only to find out that you have to shoot it again because you didn't grab a cup with the same hand or didn't turn the same way. Emotionally, you must keep revisiting that place where you are most comfortable."

Distraction Action: "This summer I worked in a theatre in which the air conditioning kept tripping the lighting. While I was on stage, the power shut off completely, and the audience began to laugh. I started to get nervous, but I took a few deep breaths and simply tried to ignore the technical difficulties and remained in character until the power came back."

Audition Ideas: "Never ask to start over, and keep the character constant. Know your monologue back and forth, so that when you go in, you feel as if you nailed the audition. The more confident you are going into an audition, the more focused you can be despite distractions, and the better it will turn out."