“Stomp Out Loud” – a show that speaks to you
Posted on 29. Nov, 2007 by Per Bristow in Communication, Performance
Talk about communication!
I just saw “Stomp Out Loud” in Las Vegas. What a show! All of the cast members are master percussionist using both hands and feet, creating the most amazing rhythms together. Talk about team work. And what is so fascinating is how they master the art of non-verbal communication. Not a word is spoken throughout the entire show, and we don’t miss words one bit. In fact, adding words would have been completely superfluous. And in addition to their masterful communication via sound and rhythm, the show is funny – really funny. In fact, my kids, nine and six years-old, were howling in laughter.
Obviously, in a show of this caliber, there was none of the old school theatrical gesturing to make a point – just honest, truthful communication. A gesture here, a wink here, a sigh here was all that was needed.
Often when people teach or speak of the art of non-verbal communication they often speak of posture, gestures, how to stand, how to look people in the eye, etc. Physicality is no doubt important in communication. However, many who follow this kind of advice end up coming across as artificial. They haven’t learned or developed the inner process of non-verbal communication.
While actors these days are all into achieving a completely truthful emotional state in the given circumstances – a state of “being” rather than “acting” – many speakers still take on a “speaker stance” and act their speech rather than be and communicate truthfully.
In “Stomp Out Loud”, every little emotional response to their fellow actors or to the audience came across beautifully because the behavior was true. As a result, the show was fascinating, engaging and extremely funny.
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