You’re the next person that’s about to shoot the basketball through the hoop, yet you might not make the shot because everyone is watching you, including your coach. When you’re about to perform next for a high school’s talent show or a performing arts. In your mind you are very confident of performing on stage, yet once you’re on stage, you start to get nervous. Your palms start to sweat, your legs begin to shake, your mind is going through a lot on not trying to be nervous. Then you take some deep breaths, you close your eyes, then it all goes away. You see, performing can be a stressful job to handle because it is all about high-stakes expectations, there is constant pressure to be perfect, insecurity, the need for prolonged focus and intense concentration, and the unpredictable nature of live performances. It is normal for us humans to feel that kind of anxiety or having stage fright once you’re on stage trying to entertain the audience. During my freshman year, I was so nervous about performing for Evening of the Arts and the Dance Show. I could not stop shaking, I literally did not feel like performing in front of the audience. But I did learn something, to not worry or feel stressed about performing. Show everyone what you’re capable of. So for the future dancers/performers, there are ways on how to cope with relieving performance anxiety and stage fright.
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Prepare thoroughly:Adequate practice can significantly boost confidence and reduce the fear of being unprepared
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Visualize your success:Mentally rehearse the performance, just like when you’re about to dance in your performance, imagining yourself succeeding and feeling confident
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Engage in positive self-talk: Challenge negative thoughts by replacing them with positive affirmations and reminders of your strengths and goals.
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Focus on the audience: Shifting your focus from self-judgment to connecting with the audience can alleviate pressure.
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Stay hydrated and eat well: Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy meal to avoid dizziness or low blood sugar.
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Avoid stimulants when you know you’re about to perform: Limit caffeine and excessive sugar before a performance, as they can increase jitters and anxiety.
Some ways to cope with stage frights are: - Knowing your material: Thorough preparation minimizes uncertainty and boosts confidence.
- Rehearse: Practice in front of friends, family, or even in front of a mirror to get comfortable with your material and delivery.
- Familiarize yourself with your space: Knowing the venue beforehand can reduce anxiety about the unknown.
You should acknowledge that stage fright is normal and that it’s okay to feel nervous. You should surround yourself with people who will offer encouragement and support. Physical activity can help release endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. So when your are the next to perform, try not to think about the audience so much because it will just stick to your mind for the entire performance and that can affect you and your choreography. When you are next to dancing to your creative piece, don’t worry too much about how you will look in front of the audience. Don’t worry about how you’re going to enter on stage, how you’re dance piece is gonna look to the audience. I just have one thing to say… WHO CARES ABOUT WHAT THE AUDIENCE THINKS?! It’s not like they are gonna be like “Oh you didn’t pose at the end of your performance” or “You didn’t do this move correctly”. It doesn’t matter what people think, You are the show. The main attraction. The center of attention. It’s not like say you’re at home, parents are talking with friends or cousins and you need to call their names just to get their attention from you. While you are performing, you are the center of attention to everyone, the audience, the other performers. My motto is: “Dance like no one is watching”. In your mind, pretend you are in a studio or your room, and you practice and practice until you know you get better at it. Perform like you are rehearsing. It’s not about impressing anyone but yourself. It’s about expressing what you feel to the audience while you dance. Use the audience as your mirror. You are the showstopper. You are the Greatest Show! So dance away!