Stage Readyyy Lesson #2 FEARLESS FABULOUSNESS!
*I’m continuing my blog series on being ready, in all ways for stage and performance, you can check out lesson one on Burlesque and Periods here: http://setyourpleasurefree.tumblr.com/post/123029713439/stage-readyyy-lesson-1
Performers come in all shapes and sizes, from all walks of life, but one thing that all performers have in common is bouts of or big bundles of nerves. Whether it’s butterflies, nausea or full body paralysis the biggest challenge of nerves is that they typically effect you simultaneously physically and emotionally/psychologically.
Stage fright happens for all of us at different degrees, in different scenarios and the good news is, it’s manageable, malleable and yours to master. Having worked stages for about two decades, first as a dancer, singer, actor and, now, as an actor, performance artist burlesquer and drag queen, I’m going to share a few tips and thoughts to help you in your practice and preparation.
Nerves happen during our whole career, yes in varying degrees, from a blip to a boil, but they are ever present. Embrace your nervous energy, the adrenaline and heightened awareness it gives you because it can and will serve you onstage. You’ll have sharpened and heightened awareness: to read your audience, swirl with abandon or really unleash when the moment arises. It’s a physiological warm up in fact! That surge of chemicals before your performance helps you start above zero so you can go from thirty or seventy perfect to a hundred and beyond, rather than walking onto a stage cold. Accompanied with a proper warm up and some focused breathing, you’ll be ready to rock before you even leave the dressing room.
State your fears! Whether to a trusted friend or in a journal (which can be destroyed immediately if needs be) really try and get to the root of your nerves and fears. This is work best to be done in quiet time, not too close to a performance and when you have space to really delve into yourself. Acute fears are never as simple as ‘I think I’m going to suck’ or ‘I might forget my words/moves/notes’ these fears have an origin, a beginning and understanding that source cannot only ease doubts and anxiety but it can, over time, release them entirely. Understanding the fear helps because sometimes it IS a simpler thing: “I’m nervous I’m going to fall” then you can do an extra hour of rehearsals in your new shoes. “I’m worried this joke isn’t going to land” gather a few friends to watch a short rehearsal. “I’m afraid my face looks dumb when I do X-Y- Z” then you can film yourself on your webcam and quash your fears. Face your fears in your own time so they can occupy less of your performance time.
Practice Practice Practice!
Preparation means that you can reason with your nerves when you need to, that you can calm certain doubts or worries with rational. I have a similar process when I go to the airport, before leaving my house I say: “I’ve got my passport, I’ve got my bank cards, I’ve got something to wear, anything else I can handle.” Thorough rehearsals – the night before is not always enough darlings! - mean when you’re worrying you’ll flub your words, forget your dance steps or fall flat on your face, you can say to yourself: “Ok, I’ve practiced for an hour and a half, if I fall I can style it out, I’ve practiced for this, I’ve got this.” It won’t make nerves vanish but it can help to calm yourself knowing that you’ve done everything you can to be ready and that you know your act/song/whatever so in and out that you can handle any faltering, costume fails or slip ups.
Develop rituals and habits around different prep points for your performance. For example, the night before, the morning of and an hour before; use these times to center yourself, to get excited and to assure yourself that you are prepared. It can be anything that makes you feel great, focused and ready for action: taking in an inspiring film/documentary, listening to your power sound on repeat all the way to the venue, ten minutes of quiet before putting on a costume, always eating a greasy burger and fries – I know an amazing singer who would swear by this, said they felt it lubricated their throat – or saying a prayer to your maker, these little reminders can prepare us mentally and emotionally to perform. They become little nudges that remind us that the time is nearing or the small break we need from busy lives to focus us for connecting with an adoring crowd.
Yes, I am aware of the title of this article! But the truth is, the push that we need for bold and beautiful performances is courage. We are never without fear but we can face it, push through it and work with it; fear doesn’t rule unless we give it permission to. So, instead of saying ‘No’ to nerves, anxieties and doubts, say ‘YES’ to the amazing experience of performing, of showing off, of expressing yourart. Choose yourself and your desire to dance, sing or whatever-your- onstage- expression-is over giving into fears. You won’t be without them but you’ll rise above them, they’ll transform into further excitement or they’ll just become smaller and quieter. Fear is not your enemy, rather think of it as a challenge, a reminder or a stepping stone to greater heights, higher highs and bigger rounds of applause!
Hope you enjoyed this blog! Please feel free to like, share and beyyyond!
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