Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Performing Tips for the Beginning Dancer

Raqs Euphoria troupe perform at the LA County Fair



You've taken several belly dance classes, and your instructor mentions upcoming shows where you can perform your choreography for the first time.  You probably feel excited but also a bit nervous hearing this.  Performing for the first time can be very intimidating and scary.  Thoughts like "What if I mess up?"  "All these people are looking at me!" run through your mind as you prepare.  It's a baby step though that many dancers want to take, they are inspired by the idea of wearing a beautiful costume and finally putting all that hard work up on a stage with their friends and dance sisters.

Here are some tips for performing for the first time:

1.  Find a safe, supportive environment to perform, such as a class showcase, or low key event, where the audience is not large and you can dance with people you are comfortable with, such as a teacher or student troupe.

2.  Practice on your own as well as in class, even if it's just five minutes every other day or every day.  The more you practice, the more your body will have "muscle memory" and the moves will come on their own when you hear the music.  This is the ultimate goal in a choreography, because you don't have to think about the moves, they just come to you.

3.  If there is a practice video or performance video of anyone doing the dance you have learned, watch it.  If you only have a couple minutes during a break, watching the video or listening to the song is still helpful in remembering the moves.

4.  Wear a costume you feel comfortable in - and test it out before performing!  Try on different things and wear something which doesn't make you fidget or feel weird.  If you feel too exposed, try a power-net body suit underneath or wearing a drape/fringe on a costume.  You don't have to wear anything too skimpy.  Being comfortable and feeling good about yourself goes a long way in performing.

5.  Wear makeup and do your hair/nails.  This will automatically give you more confidence.  Some performers feel that makeup is like a mask - it puts you in that "zone" or "character" who is on stage and helps you to feel good.

6.  Try to find focus.  Being on a stage with lights can be intimidating and seeing a sea of faces looking at you can also shake you up.  Focus on a friend or family member in the audience and forget about the others.  If you don't have a friend at the show, look for someone who is smiling and looks happy.  Focus on them.

7.  Start out standing where you are surrounded by other dancers.  You can use your peripheral vision to watch them and remember the moves.  Ultimately you want to be able to do the dance without watching others, but in the beginning, it's perfectly fine to peek at your friends.

8.  If you know how to count the beats of music, this can help to slow your moves down when necessary.  Sometimes being nervous makes us speed up unnecessarily.  Take your time, take those moments and feel them.

9.  Trust yourself.  Have confidence!  If you don't have confidence, FAKE it.  No one will know the difference.

10.  It also helps to go to other people's shows.  Watch and see how they work.  Both troupes and soloists.  Watch them travel the floor.  Watch how the dancers interact.

11.  Practice your expressions in the mirror.  When you are practicing, practice with a smile.  Try not to make faces as you make mistakes.  Your face is part of your performance.  If you make a mistake, keep going and smile.  Chances are, no one will notice, and everyone makes mistakes.

For info on my classses, visit my website www.JessikahBellydance.com

No comments:

Post a Comment