Thread: First time on stage-- any advice?

I'm not sure if there's been a thread about this, but does anyone have some tips for a performer's first time on stage? Any tricks so that zills don't sound too clamorous? How about makeup/costuming in regards to the spot light?

I've only danced in informal environments like SCA events and classrooms, so I wasn't sure if there's anything in particular I should keep in mind.

Thanks!

Ummmmmm there's a lot to keep in mind. Can you tell us more about the venue?

White and black can do funny things under spotlights (both may turn out to be sheerer than you thought, depending on the fabric).

Under stage lights, you have to wear stage makeup. Check the Fitness and Costuming section for some tips there - basically your color palette will be darker and more dramatic, usually to the point of feeling rather silly close up!

If the stage is raised, try to look over the tops of everyone's head. If you try to make eye contact with the audience, you'll appear to be looking down at your feet in pictures (and yet I still do this all the time).

As for zills...well, that may depend on the type of stage as well.

Originally Posted by lallakahina

I've only danced in informal environments like SCA events and classrooms, so I wasn't sure if there's anything in particular I should keep in mind.

Thanks!

Where the stage ends.

Originally Posted by NandaDncer

Where the stage ends.

Snerk.

Yes, that is a VERY good thing to keep in mind. Always keep some space between you and the end, or you may end up with more of a show than you wanted!

Don't forget to breathe... if it's a stage where you can't see anyone in the audience it's easy to get nervous and start thinking instead of dancing.

Stolen from Zorba - remember that your first time on stage is to accomplish one thing only, and that's to get you on stage for the first time. Anything else, like doing a great job or having fun is just gravy.

Go to rehearsal!!!!! It's a great opportunity to get a feel for the stage before you have to actually perform on it and you'll find out things you may not have thought about. For instance - our troupe does a choreography where at the climax of the music we raise our arms above our heads and look towards the ceiling. Rehearsal taught us that we were going to be looking straight up into the stage lights. It was a shock then but at least we were prepared to be blinded by the time we actually performed on the stage the next night.

There's an article on my web site with advice for one's first performance:

Belly Dancing: Your First Performance

Remember that if you make it out there, do some moves and don't fall on your a$$ it was a success! Relax and try to have fun.

If it is a raised stage, please be sure to wear undergarments!

Originally Posted by Linnyg

If it is a raised stage, please be sure to wear undergarments!

Please try to wear undergarments regardless! ..l;,

Thanks, you have all been helpful.

The stage is in an auditorium at a middle school, and it's for a cultural festival, so unfortunately I won't be able to rehearse.

I agree, trying not to freeze is the best first step :)

Check out what kind of lighting they are using. Warm tones tend bleach out your make-up.

You may not be able to rehearse, but you might be able to visit the school to check out the stage (contact the school first, you can't just drop in).

Maybe there's a drama department or a music department teacher who could show you around (after or during school)...or if there are any other events before yours, maybe you can go and ask to just walk around the stage after the show (or meeting or what have you).

Worst case, you'll check out the stage when you arrive early for your show!

I did have plans to show up early, particularly to test the sound system. The performance is only for the students, teachers, and possibly some guests, so I'm not too worried about it.

Thanks for the suggestion though!

Originally Posted by yaalini

You may not be able to rehearse, but you might be able to visit the school to check out the stage (contact the school first, you can't just drop in).

Maybe there's a drama department or a music department teacher who could show you around (after or during school)...or if there are any other events before yours, maybe you can go and ask to just walk around the stage after the show (or meeting or what have you).

Worst case, you'll check out the stage when you arrive early for your show!

Have fun is all I can say! If you are doing it solo even if you make a mistake the audience wont know, just dont let it show on your face or subsequent movements. Once you finish though you will want to do it again and again-nerves and all :)

Originally Posted by monsoondancer

Have fun is all I can say! If you are doing it solo even if you make a mistake the audience wont know, just dont let it show on your face or subsequent movements. Once you finish though you will want to do it again and again-nerves and all :)

Yes, that is right.

Do not forget to wear a big smile ..g.:

Originally Posted by lallakahina

I'm not sure if there's been a thread about this, but does anyone have some tips for a performer's first time on stage? Any tricks so that zills don't sound too clamorous? How about makeup/costuming in regards to the spot light?

I've only danced in informal environments like SCA events and classrooms, so I wasn't sure if there's anything in particular I should keep in mind.

Thanks!

Check out the surface of the stage floor. Often they are not so even or clean as you'd think, and check out whether it's raked or not. A raked stage slopes downwards towards the audience and can play havoc with your balance. Stage lights can be very disorientating, so bear this in mind, again it can play havoc with balance and if they very bright will blind you to some extent from seeing your audience. You are very much up there on your own with the complete and undivided attention of the audience, so every eye is on you. Remember to smile!

Thanks, this is something I wouldn't have considered, and I'll keep it in mind.

On a related note, I find it really hard to force a smile while dancing. I guess it feels... fake. Maybe I'm too dramatic. How do you all solve that? Simply by smiling while you practice, or is there another trick to not feel so silly?

Originally Posted by kharis_UK

Check out the surface of the stage floor. Often they are not so even or clean as you'd think, and check out whether it's raked or not. A raked stage slopes downwards towards the audience and can play havoc with your balance. Stage lights can be very disorientating, so bear this in mind, again it can play havoc with balance and if they very bright will blind you to some extent from seeing your audience. You are very much up there on your own with the complete and undivided attention of the audience, so every eye is on you. Remember to smile!

Originally Posted by lallakahina

Thanks, this is something I wouldn't have considered, and I'll keep it in mind.

On a related note, I find it really hard to force a smile while dancing. I guess it feels... fake. Maybe I'm too dramatic. How do you all solve that? Simply by smiling while you practice, or is there another trick to not feel so silly?

You train yourself to smile, as you train your body to dance. But when yu smile you need to feel it...so the training involves your state of mind, rather than just your mouth muscles. Think happy when you dance, think emotion and joy, and your face will follow suit.

One thing I wish some one told me before my performance is to make sure to sllllooooooooowwwww doooooowwwwwn. For me ( and a lot of other beginning dancers) one feels the need to pack it in with lots and lots of crazy impressive moves because one may be worried about boring the audience or running out of ideas. But try to slow down and really enjoy the movements and it will translate to your audience, that and repetition helps to let the audience enjoy what you r doing and better appreciate the nuance of each move. But most of all..like it's been said before, It's your first performance! so just don't fall down and if you have fun and feel you did well it's all gravy!

One thing that my instructor taught us before putting us on stage the first time was the same thing I learned from my theatre instructors in the past:

A mistake won't usually be a problem unless YOU make it a problem.

If you slip on a move, miss a beat, whatever, just pick up on the next and carry on like nothing happened. Most likely, if it IS noticed, it will only be noticed by other dancers who have been there before too, and will likely be sympathetic. A general audience most likely won't notice.

Is this a choreographed piece? If so, run through that choreo time and again - listen to the cd in your car and mentally dance it out while at stoplights. If it is an improv, then listen to the music over and over until you know every little beat of it backwards and forwards. Nothing helps overcome stage-fright like confidence in your work.

Take time before to stretch out, to focus, to ground and center, and realize that you're going to be wonderful, and sharing your talents with others is wonderful!

Best of wishes!