Performance Prep Quotes

I always take a hot shower before I go onstage. It's so refreshing. I let the steam into my throat. That's the way I warm up my vocal cords - in the shower. I start by humming and then finally singing.

Before every show, I eat half a rotisserie chicken.

If I had to name one thing that probably causes more conflict within the band, it's probably the fact that I'm the girl, and it takes much longer with hair and makeup and wardrobe. But they've gotten used to it. It's one of those things I think they realize that when they say she'll be ready in 10 minutes, it normally means 15 or 20.

When preparing for a concert, I do lots of training. I work with a choreographer to create great moves and then I have to keep my voice strong with lessons.

I'm kind of a feel player. I'll stretch out before a show a bit and do some playing, but that's about it. I'm not one of these 10-hour-a-day playing guys.

I have been rather selective, doing not more than two or thee films a year, so that leaves me with plenty of time to prep for my plays and theatre activities.

For me the rehearsal period is the part I most enjoy. It's the creating of the story.

I write in the booth and memorize in rehearsals.

There's the acting side of it so you work with a coach. Dissect a script. If it's a character, then obviously a character study. Just depends on if there is training needed.

I make a playlist for every character I portray. Music plays a huge part in helping me understand a character. Every time I get a new role, I will take a chunk of time to just sit and listen to a bunch of songs and select the ones that make sense in my mind for that character. I can't even explain how much it helps me.

There's a very old tradition of theater actors doing their own makeup. It's like putting on your mask. There's an element of storytelling involved in it - you put on your character when you put on your makeup. At least, that's how I like to look at it.

Getting ready for a tour is a big process, and I enjoy every part of it.

For me as an actor, I use a lot of music. Music is a huge part of developing and getting into a certain mindset.

I don't have a gym membership. I usually do a bit of basic yoga or stretches at home or in my dressing room before the show. I've done plank for 60 seconds almost every day since 2009, when I had to wear a bikini onstage in 'South Pacific.'

I sing 'Nessun Dorma' when I warm up backstage.

When I'm onstage, I have to have primer. Actually, the more primer, the less makeup I have to put on.

I wouldn't say I'm a method actor. I do research when I feel I don't have enough experience for the part I'm playing.

Being unprepared makes me nervous. I'm old-fashioned show folk.

One of my favorite parts of being an actress is being a detective.

When you're shooting you go to references in your mind. You think about how you should stand in these particular clothes, or how you should move. You think about the different characters you're playing, really.

Whenever I'm home, I haven't got any makeup on. But even in the studio, before I do vocals, I put makeup on.

Usually for the tour, there's about 80 songs in our brain.

I think it's important for bands to rough it. Whether you're in a van or a bus, it's still tough. You still have to stand in a two hour catering line with flies everywhere in the heat, and you still have to lug your gear.

I don't speak during the day. I warm up physically and, obviously, vocally, constantly. And I try to live like a nun.

I usually hang around the room listening to a bit of last night's show. If there's one available, I go to the steam room every day for my voice. I spend half an hour there and then I eat, because I can't eat later than four o'clock. Then I go for a soundcheck. That's my day.