All the prep work’s been done. You’re walking out on stage for your dancing performance when… Oh my goodness, look how many people are watching! Wait, did my shoe unlace itself? AHH, IT”S ALL GOING WRONG!!!
Don’t let this be you. The 5 strategies I’m sharing here will keep you focused and lower stage jitters to a minimum. I owe both my own coaches and other ballroom experts for this hard-won advice - may it do you as much good as it did me.
1. Accept the anxiety
If you’re hyperventilating and on the verge of bolting from the stage, remember that in the grand scheme of things, our dancing performance is not as important to other people as it is to us. Say you’re first showcase is a complete flop. How many people are going to be talking about it an hour from now? A week from now? A year from now? At worst, people will laugh, then quickly forget about it.
Besides, a little anxiety is healthy. Back in my theatre days, it was a bad sign if any of the actors showed up for the first performance with a ‘no sweat, I’ve got this’ attitude. Their relaxed headspace caused them to make mistakes more often then not. So if you feel a bit nervous, know that it’s just your body’s way of making sure you stay focused out there.
2. Double knot your shoes!
When spacecraft are preparing for flight, everything is double and triple-checked, because something as small as a loose bolt could spell disaster. Likewise, it only take a single trip-up to wreck an otherwise brilliant dancing performance. So if you’re shoes are lace-ups, double-lace ‘em. In fact, it’s probably best to double-secure everything you have on should be is double secured, in case of anything unexpected.
3. Look at the audience!
A dancing performance isn’t just about you and your partner - it’s a conversation with the audience as well. This can terrify some people, and they convey shyness by avoiding the eyes of the crowd. Fight this urge! When you practice, imagine moments when you would look into their eyes. This establishes a connection with them, allows them to feel what you feel. It gets them involved, and actively rooting for you.
4. Distract your mind
Remember this well: If you still have to think about your steps to do them correctly, you haven’t practiced enough. Don’t try to ‘remember’ anything during your dancing performance, but instead focus on blanking or distracting your mind, so you body is free to do it’s work. You can even use visuals that reflect the dance. For example, a past coach of mine imagines a bunch of kittens in a basket whenever she wants to smile more.
5. Pretend until you believe yourself
The old ‘fake it ’til you make it’ rule comes in handy here. Dancing performances are about playing a character. Focus on the emotion of the dance, either using the visuals described above, listening to the music or lyrics, or come up with your own focusing tool. Convince yourself that you really feel the emotion you are conveying, and let the crowd see it! Remember that the audience wants you succeed - all the better if you can draw them into the story you are weaving.
What’s the most stressful performance or presentation you’ve EVER given (doesn’t have to be dance)? How did you get through it?
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About the Author
Ian Crewe has been dancing ballroom for almost 20 years, and has a Licentiate in American smooth and rhythm. His passion for dance and his endless seeking for ways to reach new audiences eventually led him to blogging and the World Wide Web. Ian currently teaches ballroom at the Joy of Dance Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
A few years ago played Chopin’s “Revolutionary” Étude on the stage of U f Toronto…Quite a bold piece of music to execute…Firstly, had always loved the composition. Secondly, tuned the audience out and imagined I was playing it only for my teacher (she was also present). Out of respect for her, decided I couldn’t let her down. Got me through nicely, sort of…