need performance help!

cupcake11 started this discussion · 9/15/2011

I am desperate for help! Long story short, I choke when it comes time to perform--dance in front of my class or my husband. I have absolutely no experience in this area, so any help, advice, or words of wisdom would be appreciated. At home (alone) or in a classroom setting (when the whole class is dancing) I can dance slow and sensual, but when I "perform" I feel this internal pressure to turn into this super cool trickster and things get fugly FAST! One thought I had was to "schedule" a pole performance in front of hubby once a week...ANY other ideas/suggestions you guys have would be GREAT!!!

9 replies

Mary Ellyn · 9/15/2011
Not certain how much I can help but I can definitely empathize with you. My stage fright is extreme. I've talked to many professional performers and there hasn't been much help as my stage fright gets worse the longer I'm on stage. Most of them will say sure, they are scared before hand but once they get out there everything comes together and it's fine. Not me...I feel more and more terrified the longer I'm dancing and just want it to end. In the past year I've simply forced myself to dance in front of people more often and I do believe that it's helping so I think your idea about dancing in front of your husband may help. Do you have opportunities to dance solo at your school? Or local showcases?
Assi Mimi · 9/15/2011
For me what helps is just practice practice practice....and then you have no choice but to feel comfortable with that I have a problem like that at school. when I have to do presentations, my voice and body start shaking and I look lik im gonna faint :/, but when I practice things over and over and over and over, I get confident and things come out by themselves. Same for pole(while didn't get much chances to perform yet ), repeating the routine until you are dreaming it ,and then your body almost acting by itself. I find it also helpful to ask a friend to watch you when you practice pretending to perform. I alsways ask my roomate to watch me. At first I was shy but then it is better because you kindof lose the fear. (also you can get feedback and friends will always support you :) hope it helps...
Assi Mimi · 9/15/2011
Sorry for spelling...I am almost too used to automatic spell check...oyy
Veena · 9/15/2011
Oh I hate that feeling!! Everyone has some good advice. Keep on practicing!!!! We have chat every Friday and if you have a webcam you could turn it on and we could watch you if you wanted? Not sure if it would give you that same, "omg they are watching me" feeling, but just a thought I had. ❤️
cupcake11 · 9/15/2011
thanks so much! And it's good to know I'm not the only one with this problem-'cause yes, I started shaking so bad I was afraid I'd hurt myself
Anonyma · 9/15/2011
i totally understand.... i totally ruined my performance at my first competition .... i dont even want to look at the video... i had nightmares and im like jeez my pole "career" is ruined now lol its not that i am shy, i used to be a dancer, but beeing in front of a female public for the first time Maybe try to get a few friends to look at you and then practice practice your routine again and again!!
cupcake11 · 9/15/2011
Veena, you are always so generous with your time-I don't have a web camera. But I'm going to have to start recording some videos if no other reason than to document how much better I get over time.
chemgoddess1 · 9/15/2011
I think it all comes down to just getting out and doing it. I remember when I first touched a pole at a club after I started learning and how freaked out I was. Now I really enjoy dancing in front of people but only if it is a bar type atmosphere. The thought of dancing in front of a room full of other pole dancers freaks me the F out. Plus I freestyle so much better than performing a routine. In freestyle there really is no missing a trick or combo as it is all just flying by the seat of your pants.
cupcake11 · 9/15/2011
chemgoddess1--agreed: freestyle is less stressful. However, I did have a couple of combos I wanted to use, and I had a simple "game plan" of make a lap, do a simple trick, change directions, make a lap, do a slightly harder trick, etc...but I ended up not even hearing the music AND I didn't even utilize mirrors! I just totally went blank...so I've also decided I need to give myself a mini "pep talk" addressing those issues. Thanks for the encouragement, ladies!