[NoHo Arts District, CA] – In this month’s Soaring Solo blog, Jessica Lynn Johnson talks about “Creating Boundaries as a Solo Artist.”
“Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others.” – Brene Brown
Solo artists are a special breed.
Unlike most of humanity, we willingly choose to courageously share our highs, lows, loves, and losses in front of friends, family, and even total strangers.
This act of bravery can cause the misconception that we are open books and that the door is always open to our inner and outer world.
While being an artist does have a great deal of responsibility attached to it, it does not mean that we are giving away our right to privacy and boundaries simply because we boldly chose to write and perform an autobiographical one-person play.
In this month’s blog, I’ll suggest three ways of creating boundaries as a solo artist so that you maintain a strong sense of self and safety throughout your solo journey.
Let’s dive in!
- Do NOT share it all.
As a truth teller, you might feel pressure internally or externally to “tell all” in order to have a really inspiring and entertaining solo show.
Yes, it is so powerful and freeing to speak our truth from stage. Bravely expressing ourselves honestly and authentically can be riveting and transformative for ourselves and for the viewer.
However, the fact is, the stories we tell in our solo art can have an impact on our reputation, relationships, livelihood and many other areas of our lives.
For example, if we are venting about the dysfunctional dynamics in our current work environment, that could possibly negatively impact our job. If we reveal a private disagreement we had with a friend, lover or family member, that loved one may feel betrayed and the relationship could suffer. If we talk about a traumatizing incident we survived, but are not healed from yet, we may later feel emotionally dysregulated and overexposed.
All of that said, it is up to you alone to determine what you are ready to share in your show. You do not owe the audience your deepest secrets, your hardest traumas, or your most embarrassing and regrettable moments. After you have assessed the possible outcomes of sharing particular content, you alone are equipped to make the judgment call as to where to draw the line between oversharing and healthy self expression.
- Do NOT let the audience overstep
Once we share our stories from stage, the audience can make assumptions about what you are willing to talk about off stage.
For instance, you might be chatting with people post-show and an audience member might want you to expand upon a certain story that you told in your performance. They may have intrusive questions to ask or declarations to make about you and your life. Never feel pressured to answer, expand, or engage if you do not feel at peace about it. Simply because they bought a ticket and spent an hour of their lives supporting your art, that does not entitle them to an all-access pass to your inner world. Politely thank them for supporting your work while enforcing a boundary.
You may even realize that after leaving your blood, sweat, tears and truth upon the stage, you don’t have anything else to give after the curtain goes down. In fact, you might need to switch gears entirely and talk about anything other than the subject matter in your show. It is perfectly fine to say that you need time to recuperate and cannot engage deeply after your show.
You could also experience audience members who want to trauma-dump all over you because they related to aspects of your story. While it can sometimes be very meaningful to bond with someone after your show, it may also be too much for you to take on unless you happen to be a professional therapist. Even then, you are not obligated to do an impromptu therapy session in the theatre lobby.
Taking all of this into consideration, you might include a trigger warning in your promotional materials to responsibly forewarn your audience about any sensitive subject matter so that they are not blindsided or retraumatized. You can also list resources in your program for further healing, counseling and education about the content in your show if it is of a traumatic nature. This way, if you are confronted by a very emotional audience member, you can gently refer them to the program resources and lovingly wish them well while maintaining your personal boundaries.
- Do NOT take in all feedback.
Everyone loves to tell you how your solo show can be improved. Humorously, the most unwarranted advice tends to come from people with zero experience in solo theatre, acting or writing.
Other times, we may have highly talented and informed members of our audience who actually do know the genre of solo theatre and therefore feel it’s their duty to give you notes after the show.
Regardless of one’s level of knowledge of solo theatre, no one has the right to spew their opinions on you if you don’t wish to receive them.
Be mindful of who you invite into your creative collaboration. Not everyone has your best interest at heart, nor the professionalism to be of service to you and your project.
If someone launches into “constructive criticism” after your show, and you do not want their input, you have the right to draw a boundary. For example, you could say, “Thank you so much for coming to support the show. I am really not in the headspace to receive feedback right now, but if I change my mind, I will reach out.” It might feel awkward for you to be this direct, however your wellness as a solo artist, and a human being, is worth it.
Of course, there are many other boundaries that can be created as solo artists, but I think this is enough to chew on for today.
I hope this month’s blog on creating boundaries as a solo artist helps you to assess your own comfort levels as a solo artist so that you can feel safe on and off stage.
Please continue to persist along on your solo journey. It may not be easy, but it is so worth it!
Jessica Lynn Johnson
Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo LLC
SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com
www.SoaringSoloStudios.com
Enjoy these Solo Theatre Resources to Further Guide You on Your Solo Journey!
Tune in and support the Soaring Solo Community as we share our stories from stage!
Award-winning director and developer Jessica Lynn Johnson hosts a slew of powerful solo show script readings and full staged productions addressing various impactful and inspiring topics.
This enticing lineup can be found by CLICKING HERE FOR MORE INFO.
Start Writing Your Own Solo Show One Freewrite at a Time With “FREEWrite Friday”!
Join BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST WINNER Jessica Lynn Johnson for FREEWrite Friday!
Utilizing thought-provoking writing prompts, Jessica will lead you in writing exercises that are sure to assist you in the development of your solo show.
A one-person play is not typically written in one fell swoop. Rather, the Soaring Solo Methodology teaches that the creation of solo art is much like that of creating a Mosaic…one beautiful piece at a time.
All that is required to attend this inspiring event is a willingness to explore, having a pen, paper, or some other means of capturing your thoughts, the ability to access Zoom, and signing up on this page as your official RSVP.
We look forward to having you join the Soaring Solo Community in this event because your story matters!
CLICK HERE TO RSVP and obtain the Zoom link and password.
Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One-Person Play Development Class ONLINE!
No matter where you are in the creation of your solo show, idea phase, curiosity phase, full draft written, touring the festival and college market, BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST and founder of Soaring Solo, Jessica Lynn Johnson, will meet you where you are at and take you to the next level! All that is required to attend is a willingness to explore, a pen, and some paper. No previous writing or performance experience necessary, and no need to have written anything to bring to class. Each week Jessica will guide you in exercises to help generate and stage NEW material! So come and meet other creatives in a supportive space for expression and exploration! The class is ongoing and so you may pop in and out as you please as long as you RSVP BY CLICKING HERE for this FREE ONE-PERSON PLAY CLASS.
Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation
Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation with Jessica Lynn Johnson to discuss the possibilities for your solo show!
Jessica brings her 15+ years of solo theatre expertise to work privately with solo artists from all over the world on an as needed basis.
A 1 on 1 Consultation is for you if…
-You are curious about creating a solo show, but you need writing prompts to help you generate material.
– You are tossing around ideas for your solo show, but you need some accountability and encouragement to commit those ideas to the page.
-You have already written some material, but you need expert feedback on editing, story structure and play formatting.
-You have a great first draft, but need guidance on how to utilize multimedia and solo theatre technique in order to make your show a dynamic piece of solo theatre.
-You already premiered your solo show and now you want some tips on how to tour colleges and festivals, and garner accolades and great reviews!
-You have heard great things about Jessica’s work and you’re curious about hiring her as a Director & Developer for your solo show, but first, you want to feel her out and see if she is the right fit for you and your project.
Wherever you may find yourself on your solo journey, Jessica will help you overcome whatever immediate obstacle stands between you and your solo success.
If you resonate with many of the things on this list, then take the next step by emailing SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com for more information.