The Encyclopedia of Interactive Performance

Trying to be interesting seldom works. It places your perspective outside the scene and makes your performance feel forced

Animals and toddlers are fascinating to watch on stage because they’re fully present in the moment. It’s a paradox of performance that when you stop trying to be interesting, you become more so.

If you’re worried about not being entertaining, try playing a boring scene on purpose. It’s not easy. In fact, it’s more interesting to watch someone trying to be boring than someone trying to be interesting.

None of this is to say that you should try to be boring. Just be OK with it when it happens. The best way to avoid being boring is to be totally present. (It also doesn’t hurt to know a scene booster or two.)