The Art Of Performance

What comes to mind when you think of performing on stage? Anxious? Uncomfortable? Nervous? What goes through your mind as you wait to go on then walk toward the stage? Heart pounding? Uncertainty? Butterflies in your stomach? This is true for most people.

The first key to performance is the way you feel. Being on stage should be a fun and pleasant experience, but unfortunately it can take years of experience to develop this, and for some it never happens. Performing is about the audience, about helping people escape and find enjoyment through your performance.

Your presence and expression reflects how you feel and in turn determines how the audience will feel. If you’re anxious and uncomfortable the audience will sense that and feel the same way. Conversely, if you’re fun and relaxed then the audience will feel relaxed. So the stage should be your comfort zone, your playground, the place where you have fun and invite the audience to share in your fun. That way everyone becomes part of the performance.

There are many ways to show the audience that you’re comfortable on stage beginning with body language. It can be as simple as your stance or smiling at the audience and other performers on stage. But it can also include laughing, pointing, and moving around in a comfortable way as you utilize the stage. In my case it helps to have a wireless headset which allows me to move around freely, dance, and even do cartwheels if the mood strikes me. Whatever it is, I’m relaxed and having fun.

All great performers have their own persona that projects an invitation to the audience to share with them. And while every successful performer is unique, the common thread is a strong stage persona that has been polished and connects with the audience.

What kind of stage persona do you want to present? This is perhaps the first question you should answer. Once you have decided how you want to present yourself then develop a strong stage persona inkeeping with what you’re comfortable with. It might be a projection of yourself, as is the case with me, or a role you adopt and act out. Either way, find traits you can accentuate. This might include your “look,” your stage demeanor, the instrument you play, dance moves, stories you share, unique quirks you have developed, or any combination of traits and skills that you bring together to be a confidently relaxed performer.

Once you have decided on the persona you want to project on stage then you need to be consistent. That means every time you take the stage recreate your unique magic that resonates with the audience. Whether your persona is a projection of your own personality or a role you have developed be consistent and natural with your presentation.

The key is to be confident in your ability, know your strengths, and play to them. Whenever you take the stage, be intensely relaxed and confident in all you do and then project that as you work hard for your audience. This will draw the audience in and make the connection that every successful performer understands.

Connection is the key. Make eye contact with people, smile at your audience and your fellow performers, and see them smiling back at you. Feel the energy in the room or at the concert, create it, play into it, increase it, and swim in it. And don’t let anything distract you from that goal, be it inhibitions, awkward moments, technical issues beyond your control, or any other potential problems. Just do your stuff with confidence. And remember to express yourself being spontaneously confident with your movement, trying new things while keeping it light and fun even if things don’t go exactly as planned.

There are many elements that go into developing a successful performer. Some people are natural performers who seem born to be on stage while others are just more reserved by nature and have to work at developing a successful stage persona. But regardless of your natural propensities, there are definite attitudes and attributes that go into creating a successful performer, not the least of which is uniqueness.

Your unique brand is what will decide your success. Deciding on your brand will depend on what you want to be known for, singing, dancing, telling stories, playing an instrument, acting, or any unique combination. It will also depend on the genre you choose be it heavy metal, skater boy, crooner, rock star, or bubblegum pop. What do you want to be known for? How do you want to be perceived? Are your presentation, promotion, website, and stage performance consistent with your goals?

Clothing and accessories are also an important factor depending on the image you want to project. Do you want to be playful, serious, classy, relaxed, or maybe a chameleon? Choose clothes and accessories from hats to shoes that will make you most comfortable on stage. If you move a lot then comfortable clothes are important. For women a dress feels very different than pants, especially for dancing. Certain clothes can feel restrictive and make the stage uncomfortable while other clothes have a freeing effect giving a feeling of comfort and confidence. If you find that you’re uncomfortable on stage, as most people are, then choosing shoes, clothes and accessories that look and feel good can increase your confidence. Hair and makeup can also factor in to projecting a successful persona and making the stage more comfortable.

Being on stage is all about drawing attention to yourself and directing it where you want it. If that is something you aren’t comfortable with then either find a way to get comfortable with it or pick something else to do. Remember, conviction and passion are the most important aspects to being a successful entertainer. Be intensely relaxed, confident, and passionate. Sell it!