Are you a professional performer?
Although the Sunflower Effect Courses are designed for people with no previous drama experience, they are even more effective and transformational for people with a professional drama background. Or for people in any other performing profession.
There can be many reasons why you may be seeking out our help.
Confidence is all when it comes to performing….
But what if your confidence has gone through a knock recently?
What if there are challenges going on in your personal life that are undermining your confidence?
What if you’re an introvert and you find the “out-there-go-getting” side of your profession an enormous challenge?
Even the most celebrated performers go through a confidence crisis from time to time….
In fact, many of the most successful performers are introverts like Cate Blanchett and have found a way of making it an asset.
If there are factors undermining confidence, you know you need to quickly get back on track. Or your career will begin to suffer.
The “In-work-out-of-work” Syndrome
There’s no doubt about it, performing is a challenging profession. You may find yourself in the “in-work-out-of-work” syndrome.
In other words – when you’re in work your confidence soars. And when you’re out of work you’re confidence gradually leaks away until it seems there’s not much of it left.
You know it’s not personal that you’re not getting called/booked. But no matter how much you tell yourself this, it still feels like it!
If you are an actor, did you know the tools of your trade – acting – can be the pathway to a more resilient confidence?
And if you’re an actor (or in any other creative profession), did you know that it is far more effective to resolve your confidence issues through creativity and non-verbal means than to talk about what’s getting you down?
Indeed sometimes talking about your confidence issues may even be detrimental to your progress.
As a former performer and playwright, I really understand what performers go through.
I have developed a unique way of working using the power of drama and archetypal theatre (dramatherapy) to effect a magical transformation in your confidence levels through exploring the cast of characters that live within you.
Confidence for Performers
The Sunflower Effect, the confidence-building system I have developed, will enable you to transform deep emotional issues in a magical way very quickly without needing to delve into painful memories.
Since 1997, I have been helping people from all walks of life build a natural self-confidence that comes from a deep place within – and I specialise in supporting introverts carving out a successful life for themselves whatever profession they are in.
Being an introvert myself I found many aspects of the profession very challenging because I was not very comfortable with selling myself.
And yet I believe being an introvert is an advantage when it comes to acting and performing.
If you are a musician/singer – you may find you are too absorbed in the technical side of your performance.
You never really let yourself go and you’re frightened of doing that in front of an audience for fear of making a mess of it.
But there’s a very simple way of moving yourself out of that.
What will shift this?
This will depend a lot on what you are battling with, your experience and background and availability.
I may suggest coming for an individual session to identify what is blocking you.
Or one of my more advanced/depth courses.
Get in touch with me and tell me about your situation and we can have a chat about what would be the best approach for you. You can expect complete confidentiality.
What performers have said about the Sunflower Effect
In search of professional identity
When I joined the course, I was in search of my professional identity. I was feeling quite stuck and depressed, systematically censuring any of my initiative or/and myself.
As an actress, I was always feeling frustrated and unsatisfied with my work no matter how good my performance was. This was slowly but surely leading me towards the black hole of destructiveness. A self-deprecating voice started to be always present. I was gradually disconnecting from my love for the dramatic empty space.
It came to a point that I couldn’t make any move forwards in my life. I found a quite different creative space from what I was used to with my previous colleagues/actors.
The space created by Claire, warm, safe, and non-judgmental, has had the power to trigger a thin flickering light within myself. I could dare to look at it within that supportive atmosphere. It has been a deep learning experience socially, professionally and personally.
There was lighting, costume, characters, people sharing stories. Claire created a space which gave me a real opportunity to find my assertiveness through creative explorations with others. In creative ways.
I could express fully and voice out the life in me and regain my love for the potential of drama.
Virginie B (Findcourses review)
Recovering from Drama School trauma
View this video in which a young woman who was recovering from a traumatic experience at drama school describes how she was able to overcome this and rebuild her confidence.
Are you seeking a career change?
Train to become one of my Sunflower Effect Course Leaders running courses in different parts of the UK.
I am looking for compassionate people with a drama background to deliver these life-changing courses.
Here’s some more information relevant to drama and performance for your interest
Interviews with Rasheed Ogunlaru about topics relevant to performers
Two interviews by Rasheed Ogunlaru
These interviews were in connection with the launch of Ritual Theatre, a textbook for therapists, coaches and theatre practitioners, edited by Claire Schrader and published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers,
Leading life coach/speaker, Rasheed Ogunlaru‘s career in singing and media, led him into coaching singers, entertainers, entrepreneurs and the public.
The healing power of drama & theatre
The emotional side of actors/performers and how this impacts their lives, is rarely addressed – or not until it’s too late. Claire reveals how acting can be healing or psychologically damaging.
Claire Schrader
