The Edge of the Stage: Life Lessons from Performance Training
Whether you are a performer or a professional, we’re here to offer techniques, tools and tips from performer training to connect to yourself and others with purpose and presence all while navigating your own life as a human.
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Navigating Boundaries with Performer Techniques: The Zero State - Part Two
06/23/2025
Navigating Boundaries with Performer Techniques: The Zero State - Part Two
In the first episode of the Edge of the Stage Podcast, hosts Matthew Ellenwood and Berit Elizabeth dive into the concept of the Zero State, a centering technique originating from performance training that helps individuals connect with themselves and others with purpose and presence. The first episode focused on two of four physical elements of Zero: Eyes + Breath, and this current episode focuses on the next two elements: Face + Body. In this second episode, the hosts explore how the Zero State can be applied to hold boundaries in challenging situations, both in personal and professional contexts. The discussion includes real-life examples from acting, business, and fitness, as well as expert insights from psychology and self-defense methodologies. The episode also provides practical steps for achieving the Zero State and highlights the importance of understanding our emotional responses. Tune in to learn how performance training can be a valuable tool for improving everyday interactions. Follow Us on Instagram @emotiveagility @ellenwoodstudios LINKS & Show Notes 📄 🧘♀️ 🛡️ Verbal Self Defense - 🚫🗣️ 💬 🌡️ 👶🪞 🪨Grey Rocking Attractor States A Dynamical Systems Theory Perspective on the Music Teacher's Bodily Engagement in Teaching and Learning 🌀 Timestamps Welcome to the Edge of the Stage Podcast Understanding the Zero State Applying Zero in Difficult Situations Boundaries in Performance and Life Non-Verbal Boundary Setting Zero State in Performance Context Emotional Regulation and Zero The Still Face Experiment Understanding Zero Face in Adults vs. Babies The Power of Grey Rocking Verbal Self-Defense Techniques Personal Experiences with Grey Rocking Radical Candor and Zero State Practicing the Zero State Zero State Skill Drill Applying Zero State in Real-Life Scenarios The Transformative Power of Zero State Conclusion and Call to Action
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Getting to Zero: Embodying the Pause - Part 1
05/04/2025
Getting to Zero: Embodying the Pause - Part 1
Getting to Zero: Embodying the Pause (Ep. 1) Welcome to the first episode of 'The Edge of the Stage podcast: Life Lessons from Performance Training.' Hosts Berit Elizabeth and Matthew Ellenwood introduce the concept of 'Zero,' a state of focused readiness critical for both performers and professionals. Learn practical techniques for achieving Zero, hear the science behind it, and explore the emotional intelligence framework that makes it possible. Matthew demonstrates how to access this state quickly through breath and eye exercises, while Berit links it to professional and personal settings. This episode also delves into the significance of Zero in performance training and its distinction from the term 'neutral.' Join us to unlock the art of the full body pause and navigate intense emotions with composure and confidence. 🔔 Subscribe for more great content - https://www.youtube.com/@TheEdgeoftheStage Follow us on Instagram: Matthew Ellenwood - Ellenwood Studios: @ellenwood_studios Berit Elizabeth - Emotive Agility: @emotiveagility LINKS and Show Notes 📁 Establishing a Baseline handout - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rOwLz4bLsxyeahOoFKtMn-QReKfZbbvQ/view?usp=drive_link 0️⃣ Challenging Actor's Neutrality - https://www.onstageblog.com/industry/2021/4/26/challenging-actors-neutrality 🎭 Normalizing Non-Neutral: Towards an Inclusive Acting Pedagogy - https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/9989ba04-2e11-4922-9996-88618b9197b7/content ❤️ Resting respiratory sinus arrhythmia is related to emotion reactivity to social-evaluative stress https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032722011065 🫁 Breath of Life: The Respiratory Vagal Stimulation Model of Contemplative Activity - https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00397/full 👁️🗨️ Vision and Breathing May Be the Secrets to Surviving 2020 - https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/vision-and-breathing-may-be-the-secrets-to-surviving-2020/ 👁️ Study reveals how breathing regulates pupil size and vision - https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250221/Study-reveals-how-breathing-regulates-pupil-size-and-vision.aspx 🟪 Schechner's Rasaboxes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFPupoTR91o Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Concept of Zero 02:08 Defining Zero in Artistic and Professional Contexts 06:19 The Importance of Training for Zero 07:28 Understanding Zero vs. Neutral 10:17 Assessing Your State Before Reaching Zero 12:59 Practical Applications and Challenges of Zero 19:02 Real-Life Scenarios and the Need for Zero 21:38 Baseline State Exercise 21:57 Assessing Your Environment and Social Context 22:42 Body Awareness and Energy Levels 23:25 Mental Focus and Curiosity 24:08 Summarizing the Baseline 25:10 Introduction to Zero State Components 25:22 Breathing Techniques for Zero State 27:41 Eye Techniques for Zero State 30:50 Scientific Insights on Emotional Regulation 38:00 Rasaboxes and Shanta: Performance Techniques 43:32 Conclusion and Next Steps
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Intro Episode: Living at the Edge of the Stage
04/25/2025
Intro Episode: Living at the Edge of the Stage
Edge of the Stage Podcast: Bridging Performance Training and Everyday Life In the inaugural episode of the Edge of the Stage podcast, hosts Berit Elizabeth and Matthew Ellenwood introduce their unique podcast that explores how performance training techniques can be used in everyday life for emotional regulation and personal development. They discuss the origin of their collaboration, their backgrounds, and the performance methodologies that have influenced their work, such as Emotive Agility Training and EmoVerity Training. They introduce the four pillars that will guide the podcast's themes: Third Space, Relationships, Cultural Creation, and Autonomy. The episode sets the stage for future discussions on specific performance techniques and their practical applications across professional and personal spheres. Key moments in this podcast: 00:00 Introduction to the Edge of the Stage Podcast 00:17 The Importance of Performance Training in Everyday Life 01:43 How We Met: The FACS Workshop 01:56 Diving into FACS and Affective Science 04:31 The Concept of 'Edge of the Stage' 06:05 Performance Techniques for Everyday Use 07:26 Personal Journeys and Discoveries 13:23 EmoVerity and Emotional Training 15:57 Preview of Upcoming Episodes 17:11 The Four Pillars of Performance Training
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Trailer: The Edge of the Stage Podcast
03/04/2025
Trailer: The Edge of the Stage Podcast
Introducing The Edge of the Stage: Life Lessons from Performance Training In this trailer episode, hosts Berit Elizabeth and Matthew Ellenwood introduce 'The Edge of the Stage,' a podcast blending performance training techniques with everyday life strategies. They discuss the importance of maintaining composure in high-stakes conversations at work, using a humorous clip to illustrate the concept of having a 'game face.' They emphasize emotional intelligence and the benefits of performance training for professionals and everyday scenarios. The episode also introduces the show's structure, which combines scientific evidence and philosophical insights, and teases the first full topic: zero, neutral, or greyrocking techniques.
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