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For some of us, being on stage can be the scariest thing. Even for most experienced performers, they still face the challenge of stage fright right before they go on stage, but instead of freezing from it, it’s become something many of them have come to accept and embrace. Especially if you’re a dancer who hasn’t had that much experience in front of an audience, stage fright can be something that can paralyze us from performing at our highest level.
Something I always tell my students is that it’s like going into the pool, we all know it may be cold the first time jumping in, but after awhile of going in and out we get used to the feeling. But come the following day that pool will still be there, with the water just as cold. We just gotta jump in. The feeling of stage fright will always be there, but the more you do it, the more you embrace it.
Many of us become dancers for different reasons, and no matter what we’re always going to be watched. We inspired and move people with what we do, if we allow this fear to take over, we merely become an audience member. Why watch the movement when you can become a part of it.
We all eventually have to go on stage if we intend on taking our dancing to the next level. It comes down to how well you prepare beforehand. Here are a few things I like to do before going on stage to get over the pre-performance jitters.
Arrive early – If you’re able to get to the venue early, take advantage of the fact. I like to get as comfortable with the venue as much as I can so I can literally feel “at home.” I may sometimes talk to the people who work there, take note of where the venue is, and most importantly, see how it feels to be on stage before performing. I like seeing how the floor feels along with imagining how it feels when the house is filled with people watching.
Have a copy of the music at hand – If you can gain access to a copy of the music. Whether you’re by yourself, with a friend, marking it or visualizing it, listen to the music and go through the routine. Knowing the music is equally important to knowing the routine.
Mark the moves – Whether you have a copy of the music or not, marking the movements helps activate the muscle memory that’s already in grained into your system. I especially do this on sections I feel least comfortable with. I don’t like going on stage feeling sluggish.
Visualize – Set yourself down and just listen to the music. Run it through in your mind. Doing the routine full out in your mind can be just as effective as physically performing it; If you can see it you can become it.
Have a pre-performance routine – Before going on stage, some people have a pre-performance routine. Some people hop around, shake their limbs, or pray. I like closing my eyes, taking a deep breath while listening to the atmosphere around me. It takes me out of my head and relaxes my mind at the same time.
Take your mind off it – Sometimes taking your mind off it completely is just as effective. If you’re stressing out about the routine too much, running it through may just end up frustrating you even more and have the opposite effect of what you’re trying to do. Take a load off and do something else. Goof off with your friends; listen to another song in your ipod. Get your mind right before getting back in.
However you want to get over your stage fright, it’s taking that first dive and just going for it that will begin the progression of getting over and accepting it. As many hours we all may practice, those hours don’t mean anything until we face the test of executing in front of an audience. That’s where the true growth lays. Those jitters will always be there, but you have the choice to either let it hinder your performance or drive it to the next level.
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