The Shy Bard

[dulcinbradbury]

I'm trying to remember whether I've written on this before. I imagine it may come up periodically. I am a performer. I am also an introvert. And... I am also somewhat shy

Comments

[eveglass]

This is very insightful, and I think it might shed light on one of the fundamental differences between us. I once mentioned that I don't have a "uniform" or physical cues for myself to signal that I'm "on." At most, I turn a mental switch and then turn it off again after. For me, performing is just me... performing. It's like telling "no sh*t, there I was" stories to friends, except turned up a notch or three. As you know, I'm very improv-based when I perform, even though I do rehearse quite a bit. (For major performances like the Heather Dale show, I also rehearse the intro/outro stories in addition to just the pieces themselves

[dulcinbradbury]

Yah I've gotten to see heather when she's "off," which I realize is a sign of trust and friendship.

And I agree... you are a very different bard than I am, and the shyness is probably a big reason why.

[gwenlianna]

This actually explains a lot about the effort she clearly makes to talk to everyone individually, and make sure everyone knows how glad she is they are there.

[gwenlianna]

I've gotten better about the phone, although I still have that moment of panic. I think part of it is that I have NO CLUE what I might be interrupting when I call.
I'm shy, but pretty definitively NOT an introvert. As a little kid, we lived on a fairly isolated little island off of St. John. I would beg to go when my dad would take the boat over to St John(spoiling my mom's fantasy that she was going to homeschool me and protect me for the evil influences of society)but once I got there I would hide behind their legs and refuse to talk to anyone.
Part of what I like about working with kids is that I CAN'T be shy around them.

[dulcinbradbury]

I think I understand you a little better now too. :)

[dulcinbradbury]

I rehearse phone calls that aren't casual now. I prefer e-mail because I know I can get my words just right. ;)

[stefka]

Right there with you.

Jimmy Hopkins can tell the story of the first two times we met: The first was when I interviewed him (and several other people) at a Chatelaine's Picnic SCA demo in Pleasant Valley, NY. When I had a notebook, pen, and camera to hide behind. They gave me a purpose and enabled me to talk people up, etc. (while silently rejoicing about having finally found the local SCA) The second time was a garb workshop. Whereat I had noticeably less to say. :)

[dulcinbradbury]

Yes... having that "excuse" makes it much easier to be social. You have a reason to be there, so you know it's okay & don't have to be as shy. :)

[cielamara]

I could have written large sections of this. I am a performer, and I am very bubbly and friendly, but I am an introvert and I am shy. People never really know how to reconcile those things. Fact is, for all that I can dazzle and entertain, I'm anxious in most social settings.

[dulcinbradbury]

Maybe I should write a class on "Performing for the introverted or shy."

It's hard because people forget or don't understand that you ARE shy.