The power of listening and the power of the theater audience

(From my original Blogspot)

Have you ever heard an actor receive a complement from an audience member, only to have him or her say in response, "Thank you, but YOU were such a great audience." That used to sound like false modesty until I have thought more about the concept of what a great audience can do for an actor, or a person.

Communication experts agree that it takes two active participants to have a conversation. The speaker forms the message to be conveyed while the listener, equally as active, decodes the message. Also, the speaker and listener constantly modify each other by the energy that they are sending out. Are they positive? Attentive? Distracted? Have you ever tried to share a detailed event with someone who wasn't listening carefully? If so, you likely found yourself feeling devalued in your attempt and skipping to the end of your story quickly. But what about when someone was wrapped up with interest in what you were saying? You likely felt more excited about what you were saying and shared additional details or feelings, knowing they would be well received. I believe that acting (and watching an actor) is also a form of communication.

I just finished participating in a community event in which I performed a monologue over fifty times for different groups. For the teens who texted and talked during the performance, I was probably one of the most boring acts they'd ever seen. To the audiences I was privileged to perform for who hung on my every word, they muttered as they left, "that was just awesome." I wasn't awesome. They were.

We make other people awesome when we hang on their every word. They feel like they matter; like their contributions are wanted and needed. Our reaction to others literally helps them become their best. Let's be a good audience to those in our life who matter to us most.