By Laurie Niles: "Yes!" said my colleague happily, during the intermission of a recent performance, upon seeing that our concertmaster had kindly brought in an espresso machine and set it up backstage for all who needed a little caffeine boost.
Throwing away his recently drained Starbucks cup, he made his way toward the espresso machine. And he was not the only one, the appearance of an espresso machine backstage brought joy to many!
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I'm a great fan of coffee and tea, and I'm grateful to have nice espresso machine that I use on a daily basis. I also have a nice collection of tea, and I'm certain that I'll indulge a little during this season of holiday hot beverages, with the egg nog lattes, peppermint mochas and London fogs, as well.
But I've never been able to drink coffee, or anything caffeinated, before or during a performance. I'm okay for a rehearsal, and certainly for teaching a lesson. The caffeine gets me a little jittery, though, so I avoid it at certain times.
It's obvious that this is not the case for everyone! For many, a nice cup of coffee or tea right before a performance or during intermission is just the ticket.
How does it work for you? Can you drink coffee or tea before playing? Before a performance? Is caffeine something that you avoid at certain times? Or maybe you avoid it altogether? Please participate in the vote and then share your thoughts in the comments section.
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