On Going for It - What do you think? 

You know that moment when you’re watching an act, and the performer is doing a skill that is right on the edge... and maybe they aren’t successful? I LOVE that moment! The “give it 3 tries” moment. The “look, I’m a human just like you “ moment. But as a performer, the idea of including a move in an act when I’m not 100% sure I’ll be successful is intimidating. So...is it a double standard? I’ll cheer your attempt, but keep my own vulnerability close to my chest? Is that the kind of performer I want to be? 

[obviously I’m not talking about doing dangerous things, or moves that are so far outside your wheelhouse that you can’t even hit them in practice]

Last night at Worst Witches Cabaret, I was having an awesome hand balance day backstage, so I decided to throw a side press into my act, even though I knew it would be iffy, given how much my contortion-warm back differs from my handstand-warm back (soon they will merge though! Practice!). I gave it two tries, and had little moments of hover, but it wasn’t the solid handstand I had hoped for. That said, I was thrilled with the act overall, and glad I had chosen to give myself that little extra push. I was validated to see other performers also challenge themselves that night, and we didn’t all hit every move, but DAMN were we real humans up there!