‘Stage
fright’ is the most uncomfortable liability for performers before a
live show. Ask any confident performer, and they would admit to the
stage fright they experience every now and then. It’s normal therefore
if you feel nervous and unsteady before going to the stage. Sometimes
you might feel totally debilitated just thinking of performing live
onstage. If it happens to be a dance show or a competition, then the
stage nervousness tends to increase manifold. Even world-class dancers
would confirm that stage fright does occur before crucial performances.
The
problem is that stage fright can have a negative effect and turn out to
be a deterrent to excellence. The good news is that it is actually easy
to overcome such nervousness by training your body and mind to function
in unison. Discussed below are a few simple tricks which can be
followed to perform confidently onstage dance shows.
Emphasize on greater technical control
Try
to achieve better technical control of your footwork. You might not
realize it, but casual execution of dance moves look even sloppier on
stage. Focused placement is the most favored technique adopted by
dancers to strengthen dance gestures.
Dance with ease
Your
dance shouldn’t look like a strenuous aerobic exercise, when your
muscles appear tensed up trying to control dance gestures. This starts
showing on your face and movements. The best way to achieve a level of
perfection, poise and ease is by visualizing as if your body has
separated from midsection! Now try to maintain precise movements and
gestures of legs, while letting your upper body relax completely and yet
with vibrancy and fluidity.
Bridge the distance with your audience
While
dancing, don’t take your audience to be a non-entity who doesn’t really
bother about your eye movements. Try to avoid blank glaze or a stare of
self consciousness which reveals your uneasiness on being watched. Also
it is not good to roll your eyes, which gives the impression that you
are trying to recall steps! Focus your eyes as it makes you appear more
intelligent and attractive than with a blank stare.
Don’t turn your back to the audience
As
far as possible commence dance phases in such a way that you avoid
turning your back to the audience. However, if the choreography demands
so, then place your body slightly sideways and turn your head in such a
way that you present a partial profile of your face and not the back of
your head. This should be particularly remembered while
finishing a dance or moving away to create space for other dancers. A
lateral movement is always suggested across the stage in such instances.
Try to portray the character accurately
Feel the character that you are portraying. Connect
with your partners and fellow dancers and above all with the audience
in a genuine manner. This is what surely helps you radiate a positive
energy on stage. The audience loves and appreciates such a lively dance
performance.
Dancing
is a pleasing, fulfilling and cherishable experience, which becomes
alive when performed with spontaneity. Find ways to do that and you will
never have problems of performing successfully to a big audience.
