Here are suggested ways to engage students with this video and with activities related to this topic.

• Viewing the video: Use the following suggestions to guide students’ viewing of the video.
  • Before viewing: Introduce the topic of physical tension in performance and ask students to discuss it in the context of their own performances. For many performers, managing physical tension in their body when they are performing is an important skill.
  • After viewing: Ask students what they think about the approach to managing tension shown in the video. Is it as surprising to them as it was to the performer? What new approaches might they take to managing tension in their own performances? Ask them to brainstorm in small groups and then share their ideas with the class.
• The coach mentions that she uses the word “surrender” in coaching this performer—“You’ve made this bold choice, now just surrender to it”—explaining that it is a difficult word to embrace. Ask students to put themselves in the performer’s shoes and imagine how they would respond to this advice and what it might mean to them. Invite students to share their thoughts in a discussion.

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