The book
Read Performance Thinking
Five principles, sixteen chapters. Each section opens on a short abstract; the full text is one tap away. Most chapters close with a “Reprise” — the book’s own summary.
Develop a Performance Mindset
Thinking like a performer: non-linear, holistic, project-focused, built on deliberate practice.
Non-Linear, Holistic and Project-Focused
Chapter II. Practice Makes Perfect
11 sectionsPractice Makes Perfect · 5:45AM · HOMEWORK · Practise a lot · Sweat the difficult bits · Have heroes · Practise until it’s second nature · Practise a lot · Sweat the difficult bits · Have heroes · Practise until it’s second nature
Build Connected Ensembles
How genuine ensembles -- in jazz, theatre and business teams -- create together and stay connected under pressure.
Chapter VI. Getting Connected
10 sectionsGetting Connected · First Circle: The Circle of Self and Withdrawal · Third Circle: The Circle of Bluff and Force · Second Circle: The Energy of Connecting · Carmine Gallo · Walking Blind · The Counting Game · Switching Places · Clap, Slap, Stamp · Build a Story
Chapter VII. Directive Leadership
1 sectionsDirective Leadership
Have a Purpose, Tell a Story
Great performances have form, purpose and a story that keeps being reinterpreted for a new audience.
Great Performances Have Form and Purpose · Dame Darcy Bussell
Tell the Story in Everything You Do
Rehearse Creatively
Playing, experimenting and taking risks in rehearsal so the real performance can be trusted.
Playing, Experimenting and Taking Risks
Chapter XII. How to Rehearse
4 sectionsHow to Rehearse · Sketch 1 · Sketch 2 · Sketch 3
Delight the Audience
Performing at every level, from psyching up to staying connected to the audience in the moment.
Chapter XIV. How to Perform
7 sectionsHow to Perform · Get Psyched Up · Calm Down · Stay Aware · Stay Focused · Stay Connected · Tell the Story
Performance Thinking: Case Study · Delivering a Great Performance · The Performance Falters · Rediscovering its Purpose · Turning Technique into Art · Engaging the Audience · Building Connected Ensembles, Rehearsing Creatively · Performance Thinking in Action