Optimal anxiety: measuring heart rates during my acting debut
Wearing an heart rate monitor during my debut performance
Apr. 18, 2018 - Willem L. Middelkoop
This month I made my debut as amateur actor. I am no Hollywood star, nor do I envy to become one. But I do like crazy experiments and operating outside of my comfort zone often leads to new and refreshing insights. I took part in an amateur drama play and - in the name of science and fun - strapped myself with sensors to measure what happened to my body.
Continue reading![Flyer announcing the play](/blog/2018-04-18_outside-the-comfort-zone-amateur-acting/images/i_00_Flyer-announcing-the-play-Zusters-in-Zaken-by-De-Opregte-Amateur_500px.jpg)
![Oh boy... there is no way back when you're face is all around town!](/blog/2018-04-18_outside-the-comfort-zone-amateur-acting/images/i_01_Oh-boy-there-is-no-way-back-when-you-re-face-is-all-around-town_500px.jpg)
![Part from the script with my first few lines of text, me playing](/blog/2018-04-18_outside-the-comfort-zone-amateur-acting/images/i_02_Part-from-the-script-with-my-first-few-lines-of-text-me-playing-Gerard_500px.jpg)
![Biometric readings covering the month leading up to the performance](/blog/2018-04-18_outside-the-comfort-zone-amateur-acting/images/i_09_Biometric-readings-covering-the-month-leading-up-to-the-performance_500px.jpg)
![Heart rates during the two performance nights, left my debut, right the second performance](/blog/2018-04-18_outside-the-comfort-zone-amateur-acting/images/i_08_Heart-rates-during-the-two-performance-nights-left-my-debut-right-the-second-performance_500px.jpg)
![Wahoo TICKR, waist worn strap, measuring heart rate in realtime](/blog/2018-04-18_outside-the-comfort-zone-amateur-acting/images/i_04_Wahoo-TICKR-waist-worn-strap-measuring-heart-rate-in-realtime_500px.jpg)