Embodied character performance is a term used to describe the complete immersion of an actor into a role. This involves more than just reading lines and wearing costumes. It’s about becoming the character, embodying their thoughts, emotions, and actions. The goal is to create a believable and authentic portrayal that captivates the audience and draws them into the story. To achieve this level of performance, actors must develop a deep understanding of the character’s backstory, motivations, and psychology. They must also use physicality, voice, and speech to bring the character to life. In this article, we will explore the techniques and tips used by professional actors to fully embody a character and deliver a powerful performance.
Understanding Character Embodiment
What is character embodiment?
Definition and Explanation
Character embodiment refers to the process of fully immersing oneself in the persona of a fictional character while performing or acting. It involves physically and mentally becoming the character, incorporating their thoughts, feelings, and actions into one’s own being. This technique is crucial for actors, as it allows them to portray a character convincingly and effectively.
Importance in Acting and Performance
Embodied character performance is essential for creating a believable and engaging portrayal of a character. By fully embodying a character, an actor can:
- Connect emotionally with the character and the story.
- Respond authentically to other characters and situations.
- Make subtle and nuanced choices in their performance.
- Communicate the character’s inner life and motivations to the audience.
Achieving character embodiment requires a deep understanding of the character’s background, personality, and motivations. It also involves developing physicality, voice, and other performance skills to embody the character fully. In the following sections, we will explore tips and techniques for fully embodying a character.
Character embodiment vs. method acting
Character embodiment and method acting are two distinct approaches to embodying a character in a performance. While both techniques aim to help actors create authentic and immersive performances, they differ in their focus and execution.
Comparing and contrasting techniques
Character Embodiment
- Emphasizes understanding the character’s emotional state, thoughts, and motivations
- Involves creating a psychological and emotional connection with the character
- Requires imagination and inner exploration to create a character’s reality
- Often used in more naturalistic styles of theatre and film
Method Acting
- Focuses on the physical and external aspects of a character
- Involves copying the mannerisms, gestures, and voice of the character
- Often involves the use of external stimuli such as imagined sensory experiences
- Often used in more theatrical styles of theatre and film
Advantages and disadvantages of each approach
- Advantages:
- Encourages a deeper understanding of the character’s inner world
- Can lead to more authentic and nuanced performances
- Can help actors connect emotionally with the character and the audience
-
Disadvantages:
- May require more time and effort to develop the character’s inner life
- May not be suitable for all types of performances or genres
-
Can be challenging to maintain consistency in performance
-
Can provide a clear framework for creating a character’s external traits
- Can be helpful for actors who struggle with emotional connection to a character
- Can be effective in creating a specific character type or style
- May rely too heavily on external factors and can limit an actor’s ability to create their own interpretation of a character
- May not encourage a deep understanding of the character’s inner world
- Can be limiting in terms of range and flexibility of performance
Preparation and Research
Understanding the script and character background
Before delving into the tips and techniques for embodying a character, it is essential to understand the script and the character’s background. This involves analyzing the script and understanding the character’s motivations, as well as researching the historical and cultural context of the character.
Analyzing the script and character motivations
To fully embody a character, it is crucial to understand their motivations and actions within the script. This means analyzing the character’s dialogue, actions, and reactions to other characters and situations. By understanding the character’s motivations, you can develop a deeper understanding of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
One way to analyze the script is to read it multiple times, taking notes on the character’s actions and motivations. You can also discuss the script with other actors or directors to gain different perspectives on the character and their actions.
Researching the historical and cultural context of the character
In addition to analyzing the script, it is important to research the historical and cultural context of the character. This includes understanding the time period, location, and social norms that influence the character’s actions and motivations.
For example, if the character is from a different culture or time period, it is essential to research the customs, beliefs, and language of that culture. This can help you better understand the character’s actions and motivations, as well as provide insight into their emotions and reactions.
Additionally, researching the historical and cultural context of the character can help you develop a more authentic accent, dialect, or mannerisms. By understanding the character’s background, you can better embody their personality and behavior on stage or screen.
Overall, understanding the script and character background is a crucial step in fully embodying a character. By analyzing the character’s motivations and researching the historical and cultural context, you can develop a deeper understanding of the character and provide a more authentic performance.
Creating a character biography
Developing a detailed backstory for the character
Before an actor can truly embody a character, they must first understand the character’s history and motivations. This is where creating a detailed backstory comes in. A backstory should include the character’s childhood, relationships, and major life events. It should also include the character’s values, beliefs, and personality traits. This information will help the actor understand the character’s motivations and how they fit into the story.
Incorporating physical and psychological traits
In addition to a character’s backstory, it’s important to consider their physical and psychological traits. This includes their appearance, body language, and mannerisms. An actor should research the character’s physical appearance, including their height, weight, hair color, and clothing style. They should also pay attention to the character’s body language, such as their posture, gestures, and facial expressions. Additionally, an actor should consider the character’s psychological traits, such as their emotional state, mental state, and behavior patterns.
By taking the time to develop a detailed character biography, an actor can gain a deeper understanding of the character and how they fit into the story. This will help them fully embody the character and deliver a more authentic performance.
Identifying the character’s objectives and obstacles
- Setting clear goals for the character
When developing a character, it is important to set clear goals for them. These goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). By having clear objectives, the character will have a sense of purpose and direction, which will guide their actions and decisions throughout the story. For example, if the character is a business owner, their goal might be to expand their company and increase profits.
- Identifying external and internal conflicts
In addition to setting clear goals, it is also important to identify the external and internal conflicts that the character will face. External conflicts are those that occur between the character and the world around them, such as other characters or the environment. Internal conflicts, on the other hand, are those that occur within the character themselves, such as their own fears, desires, and motivations. By identifying these conflicts, the character’s objectives and obstacles become more clear, and the story becomes more compelling. For example, if the character is struggling with a fear of failure, this could be an internal conflict that affects their ability to achieve their external goal of expanding their business.
Physicality and Movement
Using body language to convey emotions
One of the most powerful ways to embody a character is through the use of body language. Nonverbal communication can convey a wide range of emotions and thoughts, and it can be a highly effective tool for actors to convey the inner lives of their characters. Here are some tips for using body language to convey emotions:
- Understanding nonverbal communication: Before you can effectively use body language to convey emotions, it’s important to have a solid understanding of nonverbal communication. This includes things like facial expressions, gestures, posture, and tone of voice. Each of these elements can convey different emotions and thoughts, and understanding how they work can help you use them effectively in your acting.
- Practicing specific body language cues: Once you have a good understanding of nonverbal communication, you can start practicing specific body language cues that correspond to different emotions. For example, clenched fists might indicate anger, while a furrowed brow might indicate confusion or frustration. By practicing these cues in isolation, you can start to build a vocabulary of nonverbal communication that you can use in your acting.
- Combining body language with dialogue: Body language is most effective when it’s used in conjunction with dialogue. This means that you should practice delivering lines while using specific body language cues to convey the emotion or thought that the character is experiencing. This can help to create a more nuanced and realistic portrayal of the character.
- Being mindful of context: It’s important to be mindful of the context in which you’re using body language. Different emotions or thoughts might be conveyed in different ways depending on the situation. For example, a character might feel nervousness in a high-pressure situation, but they might express that nervousness in different ways depending on the context. By being mindful of context, you can use body language to convey a wider range of emotions and thoughts.
- Experimenting with different body language: Finally, it’s important to experiment with different body language cues to find what works best for you and the character you’re portraying. Different actors may have different physicality and movement styles, and it’s important to find what works best for you. This might involve experimenting with different facial expressions, gestures, or postures to find what conveys the emotion or thought that you’re looking for.
Creating distinct physical patterns
Developing unique mannerisms and movements is a crucial aspect of embodying a character. It helps to create a distinct identity for the character and make them more memorable to the audience. To achieve this, actors should focus on the following:
- Creating unique mannerisms and movements: Actors should experiment with different physical gestures and movements to find those that suit the character they are portraying. This can include everything from the way they walk and talk to the way they gesture with their hands. It’s important to find physical patterns that are unique to the character and not simply mimicry of the actor’s own mannerisms.
- Incorporating the character’s profession or lifestyle: The character’s profession or lifestyle can greatly influence their physical patterns. For example, a character who is a dancer may have more fluid and graceful movements, while a character who is a construction worker may have more rugged and masculine movements. Actors should take into account the character’s background and occupation when developing their physical patterns.
Additionally, it’s important to be consistent in the use of these physical patterns throughout the performance. This helps to reinforce the character’s identity and make them more believable to the audience.
Using space and props effectively
As an actor, using space and props effectively can greatly enhance your portrayal of a character. Here are some tips for utilizing the stage or film set to enhance the character:
- Use the environment to inform the character’s behavior: The environment can provide important clues about the character’s backstory, personality, and motivations. For example, if the character is in a cluttered and messy room, it may suggest that they are disorganized or have a chaotic personality.
- Use the environment to create contrast: Contrasting the character’s behavior with the environment can create an interesting dynamic. For example, if the character is in a sterile and clean environment, it may suggest that they are a neat and organized person.
- Use the environment to create tension: The environment can be used to create tension and conflict in the scene. For example, if the character is in a dark and creepy basement, it may suggest that they are in danger or facing a challenge.
In addition to using the environment, props can also be used to reinforce character traits. Here are some tips for using props effectively:
- Choose props that reflect the character’s personality: Props can provide important clues about the character’s backstory, personality, and motivations. For example, if the character is a writer, they may have a typewriter or a notebook as a prop.
- Use props to create contrast: Contrasting the character’s behavior with the props can create an interesting dynamic. For example, if the character is holding a weapon, it may suggest that they are aggressive or dangerous.
- Use props to create tension: Props can be used to create tension and conflict in the scene. For example, if the character is holding a ticking bomb, it may suggest that they are in danger or facing a challenge.
Overall, using space and props effectively can greatly enhance your portrayal of a character. By taking the time to consider how the environment and props can inform the character’s behavior, you can create a more fully realized and believable portrayal.
Vocal Techniques
Developing a character voice
Developing a character voice is a crucial aspect of fully embodying a character. The way a character speaks can reveal a lot about their personality, background, and motivations. Here are some tips for developing a character voice:
Analyzing the character’s speech patterns and accent
Before you can develop a character’s voice, you need to understand their speech patterns and accent. Analyze the character’s background, such as their geographic location, social class, and education level, to determine their speech patterns. Consider whether the character speaks in a formal or informal manner, and whether they use slang or formal language. Additionally, research the accent typical of the character’s region to ensure that your portrayal is accurate.
Experimenting with different vocal qualities
Once you have a good understanding of the character’s speech patterns and accent, it’s time to experiment with different vocal qualities. This includes aspects such as pitch, tone, pace, and volume. Try different variations of each quality to find the one that best suits the character. For example, a character who is confident and assertive may speak with a strong, deep voice, while a character who is timid and nervous may speak with a higher-pitched, quieter voice.
It’s important to be mindful of the character’s emotions when experimenting with different vocal qualities. For instance, a character who is angry may speak with a more aggressive tone, while a character who is sad may speak with a softer, more mournful tone. By experimenting with different vocal qualities, you can create a unique and distinct voice for each character you portray.
Incorporating dialects and accents
Researching and practicing specific dialects and accents
- Understanding the Basics: To incorporate dialects and accents effectively, it is crucial to have a strong understanding of the sounds, intonation, and pronunciation of the particular dialect or accent. Research the phonetic characteristics of the accent and familiarize yourself with the distinctive features of the dialect.
- Listening and Observation: Immerse yourself in the accent or dialect by listening to native speakers, watching performances, or viewing films in the target language. Pay attention to the rhythm, stress patterns, and speech styles to get a better feel for the accent or dialect.
Ensuring authenticity and avoiding stereotypes
- Avoiding Stereotypes: It is essential to be mindful of not perpetuating stereotypes when incorporating dialects and accents. Be sensitive to the nuances of the accent or dialect and refrain from exaggerating or caricaturizing the speech patterns.
- Consulting Native Speakers: Seek feedback from native speakers or language experts to ensure accuracy and authenticity in your portrayal of the accent or dialect. They can provide valuable insights into the correct pronunciation, intonation, and usage of the language.
- Contextualizing the Character: Keep in mind the character’s background, social context, and upbringing when portraying the accent or dialect. This will help you to create a more well-rounded and believable character.
Breathing and vocal warm-ups
- Techniques for maintaining vocal health
- Proper hydration and diet
- Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- Resting and avoiding overuse of the voice
- Exercises to improve projection, range, and articulation
- Diaphragmatic breathing
- Deep breathing through the diaphragm
- Exhaling completely before inhaling
- Lip trills
- Vibrating the lips to loosen up the muscles
- Scales and arpeggios
- Warming up the voice with various scales and arpeggios
- Vocalises
- Singing vocal exercises that target specific aspects of vocal technique, such as range, articulation, and agility.
- Diaphragmatic breathing
Proper breathing and vocal warm-ups are essential for any performer, as they help to maintain vocal health and improve projection, range, and articulation. By incorporating these techniques into your daily routine, you can ensure that your voice is ready for any performance.
It is important to remember that vocal health is not just about physical technique, but also about taking care of the body as a whole. Proper hydration and diet, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and resting and avoiding overuse of the voice are all important for maintaining vocal health.
In addition to these general practices, there are specific exercises that can help to improve projection, range, and articulation. Diaphragmatic breathing is a technique that involves deep breathing through the diaphragm, exhaling completely before inhaling. This helps to strengthen the diaphragm and improve breath control.
Lip trills are another exercise that can help to loosen up the muscles in the mouth and throat. This exercise involves vibrating the lips, which helps to improve articulation and reduce tension in the mouth.
Scales and arpeggios are a great way to warm up the voice and improve range and agility. By singing various scales and arpeggios, you can loosen up the muscles in the throat and prepare the voice for more challenging material.
Finally, vocalises are specific singing exercises that target specific aspects of vocal technique. For example, you can use vocalises to improve range, articulation, and agility. These exercises should be tailored to your specific needs and goals, and should be practiced regularly to see improvements in your vocal technique.
By incorporating these breathing and vocal warm-up techniques into your daily routine, you can ensure that your voice is ready for any performance. Whether you are a seasoned performer or just starting out, these techniques can help you to fully embody your character and deliver a powerful performance.
Emotional Connection and Subtext
Understanding subtext and its importance
Subtext refers to the underlying emotions, thoughts, and motivations that a character is experiencing, but not necessarily expressing directly. It is the unspoken dialogue between characters, conveyed through their body language, tone of voice, and other nonverbal cues. Subtext is an essential tool for actors as it allows them to convey complex emotions and thoughts in a more nuanced and authentic way.
It is important to understand subtext because it allows the audience to connect with the character on a deeper level. By revealing a character’s inner thoughts and emotions through subtext, the audience can gain a better understanding of the character’s motivations and desires. This creates a stronger emotional connection between the audience and the character, which in turn can make the performance more engaging and impactful.
Moreover, subtext can also help actors to create a more authentic and believable performance. By focusing on the underlying emotions and thoughts of the character, actors can avoid relying on surface-level emotions and actions, which can come across as forced or artificial. Instead, they can tap into the subtext to create a more nuanced and realistic portrayal of the character.
There are several techniques that actors can use to reveal subtext through their performance. These include:
- Paying attention to the text: The script is the first place to look for clues about a character’s subtext. By carefully analyzing the words and actions of the character, actors can begin to uncover the underlying emotions and thoughts that drive their behavior.
- Using nonverbal cues: Body language, tone of voice, and other nonverbal cues can be powerful tools for revealing subtext. Actors can use these cues to convey a character’s inner emotions and thoughts, even when they are not expressing them directly.
- Connecting with the character’s motivations: By understanding a character’s motivations and desires, actors can tap into the subtext and create a more authentic and believable performance. This involves finding the emotional truth of the character and connecting with it on a personal level.
Overall, understanding subtext and its importance is crucial for actors looking to fully embody their characters. By revealing the underlying emotions and thoughts of a character, actors can create a more nuanced and realistic portrayal, which can lead to a more engaging and impactful performance.
Connecting emotionally with the character
One of the most crucial aspects of fully embodying a character is establishing an emotional connection with them. This involves identifying the character’s emotional state and practicing techniques for evoking emotions.
- Identifying the character’s emotional state
To effectively embody a character, it is essential to understand their emotional state. This can be achieved by analyzing the script or the character’s backstory to determine their motivations, desires, and fears. It is also important to consider the character’s relationships with other characters and how these relationships impact their emotional state.
For example, if a character has experienced a recent loss, their emotional state may be one of sadness, grief, or anger. Understanding these emotions will help the actor to portray the character in a more authentic and nuanced way.
- Practicing techniques for evoking emotions
In addition to understanding a character’s emotional state, actors must also develop techniques for evoking emotions. This involves using various acting techniques, such as imagery, physicalization, and subtext, to connect with the character’s emotions on a deeper level.
One technique for evoking emotions is imagery. This involves creating vivid mental images that help the actor to connect with the character’s emotions. For example, an actor playing a character who is experiencing grief might imagine a specific place or object that represents their loss.
Physicalization is another technique that involves using the body to express emotions. This can include facial expressions, body language, and movement. For example, an actor playing a character who is angry might use furrowed brows, clenched fists, and rapid breathing to convey their anger.
Subtext is a technique that involves using underlying meaning or implication to convey emotions. This can be achieved by using double entendres, irony, or other forms of wordplay. For example, an actor playing a character who is pretending to be happy while secretly feeling sad might use phrases like “I’m just fabulous” or “I’m over the moon” to convey their true emotions.
By practicing these techniques, actors can develop a deeper emotional connection with their characters, which can result in more authentic and nuanced performances.
Using subtext to enhance character relationships
When it comes to creating compelling and believable characters, subtext can be a powerful tool. By adding layers of meaning beneath the surface of your characters’ dialogue and actions, you can build tension and conflict that enhance their relationships and make them more dynamic and engaging on-screen.
One way to use subtext is to build tension and conflict between characters. By having characters say one thing but mean something else, you can create a sense of hidden agendas and unspoken feelings that can add depth to their interactions. For example, a character might say “I’m just doing my job” when confronted with an ethical dilemma, but their body language and tone of voice could reveal their true feelings on the matter.
Another way to use subtext is to create a sense of connection and intimacy between characters. By having characters share their thoughts and feelings indirectly, you can reveal their emotions and personalities in a more subtle and nuanced way. For example, two characters might be having a seemingly lighthearted conversation, but their choice of words and tone of voice could hint at deeper feelings and shared experiences.
Overall, using subtext to enhance character relationships can add a richness and complexity to your storytelling that can make your characters feel more real and relatable to audiences. By adding layers of meaning beneath the surface of your characters’ interactions, you can create a sense of tension, conflict, and connection that can help bring your story to life.
Rehearsal and Performance
Rehearsal techniques for character embodiment
- Practicing movements, vocal patterns, and emotional connections
- Movement: Developing a character’s physicality involves studying their posture, gait, gestures, and facial expressions. By mimicking these movements, an actor can create a more authentic portrayal of the character. For example, a stooped-shouldered, hesitant character might move slowly and cautiously, while a confident, energetic character might have a more upright posture and dynamic movements.
- Vocal patterns: A character’s voice can reveal a lot about their personality and emotions. Actors can practice different vocal qualities, such as pitch, volume, and tone, to convey various aspects of the character’s identity. They may also study regional accents, speech patterns, or vocal inflections to add depth to their portrayal.
- Emotional connections: To truly embody a character, actors must develop emotional connections with their roles. This involves exploring the character’s backstory, motivations, and relationships with other characters. By understanding these aspects, actors can better access the emotions their characters are experiencing and portray them convincingly.
- Collaborating with other actors and the director
- Group rehearsals: Actors can benefit from working with their fellow cast members to refine their character portrayals. By observing and interacting with other characters, they can gain insight into the relationships and dynamics within the story. This collaborative process can also help actors find new ways to interpret their roles and deepen their understanding of the character.
- Director’s guidance: The director plays a crucial role in helping actors embody their characters. They can offer valuable feedback on an actor’s performance, suggesting adjustments to movements, vocal patterns, or emotional connections. Additionally, the director’s vision for the production can inform an actor’s interpretation of the character, ensuring that each actor’s portrayal contributes to the overall story.
By employing these rehearsal techniques, actors can effectively embody their characters, bringing them to life on stage or screen.
Overcoming obstacles during performance
When performing a character, it is important to be prepared for any obstacles that may arise. Here are some tips for overcoming memory lapses and unexpected circumstances, as well as adapting to changes in the script or performance environment.
Dealing with memory lapses and unexpected circumstances
Memory lapses can be a common obstacle for performers, especially when dealing with complex scripts or multiple characters. To overcome this, it is important to practice deep and active reading of the script, as well as creating detailed character profiles and outlines. Additionally, it can be helpful to rehearse with a prompt book or cue sheet, which can provide reminders of key plot points and lines.
Unexpected circumstances, such as technical difficulties or last-minute changes to the script, can also pose challenges. It is important to stay flexible and adaptable, and to be prepared to improvise if necessary. Maintaining a strong connection to the character and the story can help performers stay focused and grounded, even in unexpected situations.
Adapting to changes in the script or performance environment
Sometimes, changes to the script or performance environment are necessary, such as revisions to the script or changes to the performance space. To adapt to these changes, performers should be open to feedback and willing to make adjustments to their performance. It can also be helpful to collaborate with other performers and the director to find solutions and make necessary changes.
In addition, performers should be prepared to adapt to different performance environments, such as outdoor or non-traditional spaces. This may require different techniques and approaches, such as projecting voice or adjusting movement to accommodate the space. By staying flexible and adaptable, performers can overcome obstacles and fully embody their characters, even in unexpected situations.
Evaluating and refining character embodiment
Evaluating and refining character embodiment is a crucial aspect of the rehearsal and performance process. By receiving feedback from directors, fellow actors, and audience members, you can identify areas of improvement and refine your character embodiment. Here are some tips for evaluating and refining character embodiment:
Receiving feedback from directors, fellow actors, and audience members
- Be open to constructive criticism: Receiving feedback can be challenging, but it is essential for growth as an actor. Approach feedback with an open mind and be willing to listen and learn from others.
- Ask for specific feedback: Instead of asking for general feedback, ask for specific feedback on particular aspects of your character embodiment. For example, ask your director or fellow actors for feedback on your body language, vocal tone, or facial expressions.
- Observe other actors: Watch other actors in performances and take note of their character embodiment techniques. This can provide valuable insights into different approaches to character embodiment.
Refining and adjusting the character embodiment based on feedback
- Prioritize feedback: Not all feedback is equally important. Prioritize feedback that aligns with your goals for the character and the play.
- Experiment with different techniques: Don’t be afraid to try new techniques or adjust your approach to character embodiment. Experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you and the character.
- Practice consistency: Consistency is key to effective character embodiment. Practice consistency in your character’s behavior, mannerisms, and speech patterns to ensure a believable and cohesive performance.
By evaluating and refining your character embodiment, you can create a more nuanced and compelling performance. Remember to be open to feedback, prioritize feedback that aligns with your goals, experiment with different techniques, and practice consistency in your character embodiment.
FAQs
1. What does it mean to fully embody a character?
To fully embody a character means to completely immerse oneself in the role and portray the character’s traits, mannerisms, and emotions as accurately as possible. It involves understanding the character’s background, motivations, and goals, and using that understanding to guide the performance.
2. How do I get started with embodying a character?
The first step in embodying a character is to thoroughly research and understand the character’s background, motivations, and goals. This can involve reading the script, studying the character’s physical appearance and mannerisms, and discussing the character with the director or other members of the production team.
3. How do I develop a character’s voice and speech patterns?
Developing a character’s voice and speech patterns involves understanding the character’s background and personality, as well as the context in which they are speaking. This can involve studying the character’s accent, dialect, and manner of speaking, as well as the tone and content of their dialogue.
4. How do I physically embody a character?
Physically embodying a character involves using body language and physical movements to convey the character’s emotions and personality. This can involve using specific gestures, facial expressions, and posture to portray the character’s feelings and attitudes.
5. How do I stay in character during a performance?
Staying in character during a performance involves fully immersing oneself in the role and focusing on the character’s motivations and emotions. This can involve using techniques such as method acting, where the actor fully adopts the character’s persona and emotions, or using mental cues to stay focused on the character’s actions and reactions.
6. How do I adapt to changes in the script or performance?
Adapting to changes in the script or performance involves being flexible and open to new ideas and directions. This can involve working closely with the director and other members of the production team to make adjustments to the character’s motivations or emotions, or adjusting one’s performance in response to changes in the script or the performance of other actors.
7. How do I know if I am successfully embodying a character?
Knowing if you are successfully embodying a character involves receiving feedback from the director and other members of the production team, as well as observing your own performance and making adjustments as needed. It is important to stay open to constructive criticism and to be willing to make changes to improve the performance.