Applause Quote by Karen Pryor
““In due course I would learn how to cover up for this event, but on that awful day I knew of nothing to say but: 'Well, I guess they aren't going to do that either, heh, heh." FINALLY Hoku and Kiko stopped staring suspiciously through the glass long enough to go over the six bars, gracefully arcing in and out of the water against the glass, making the beautiful picture they were supposed to. I waved frantically at Chris to stop right there, to quit while we were ahead. I thanked the politely clapping audience and suggested they come back in a month and see what Hoku and Kiko could really do (I didn't have the courage to order them to KEEP clapping, and louder, please, so that Hoku and Kiko would do the applause jump). Then I yanked out the mike plug, raced down the ladder into the trainers' little sitting room underneath the stage, and took up smoking again.””
About This Quote
A performer reflects on a chaotic, improvisational moment, feeling pressure to manage audience expectations while grappling with personal anxiety and the urge to escape.
In simple terms: Managing performance anxiety and improvisation.
Key Takeaway
Authenticity over forced applause.
Themes
performance anxiety
improvisation
audience expectations
self-doubt
escape behavior
Mood
tense
reflective
humorous
Type
anecdotal
observational
self‑critical
When to use this quote
- live shows
- public speaking
- creative rehearsals
- high‑stakes presentations
- spontaneous events
Key Concepts
stagecraft
psychology of performance
social pressure
Practical Applications
- coaching performers to embrace uncertainty
- designing resilient performance protocols
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance authenticity with audience expectations?
- What strategies help you stay present when improvisation is required?
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