Performing

Another of my "classic" posts. Some of you may recognize the dancer I refer to.

Several of my students are going to be competing in the YAGP competition. In preparation, we had a little "performance" at the studio. About fifty of the younger students crowded into our main studio to watch and applaud, and our dancers did wonderfully. The head of the studio, who had deliberately not been in rehearsals so the dancers wouldn't feel pressured, was extremely happy and impressed.

Afterward, one of the dancers admitted to being quite nervous before her variation. She said "Why do I do this?! I get so nervous before performing!" She is an exquisite young dancer with an exciting career ahead of her. Her technique is lovely, strong and expressive and everyone loves watching her. At her age (15, which I am sure seems quite old to her), getting up in front of people to do anything can create more than a few butterflies in her stomach, and dancing, which is very vulnerable emotionally, makes it seem even worse.

She'll get used to it. As she grows as a person and an artist, she will become more confident and at ease on stage. She will immerse herself in whatever character she is portraying, if in a story ballet, or in the demands of the technique, if in a plotless one. She may or may not forget that an audience is watching; either is okay- at the end of the performance, the applause she will undoubtedly receivve will let her know they were there.

There is so much to learn about ballet and performing; getting used to being watched is one of those things. That fear she feels now will change to excitement. Instead of feeling "Why do I have to go to the bathroom, AGAIN?!", she'll be thinking of how wonderful being on stage makes her feel. Instead of worrying about all the little things that can drive you crazy, lights, costumes, hair, makeup, life, she'll be exploring the emotional depths of her characterization of Giselle, or the wild abandon of Kitri, or the grand graciousness and protective nature of the Lilac Fairy.

She'll be fine.

See you in class.