Ms. Poppy Chiffon — the doyenne of dance, the baroness of ballroom etiquette, the sultana of Southern hospitality — is pleased to answer your dance-related questions. Here are a few queries that Poppy deigned to extract from her mailbag this week. If you have a question that you would like Poppy Chiffon to address, please e-mail her at askpoppy@dancestationusa.com. Ms. Chiffon regrets that she cannot respond individually to questions.
Dear Poppy,
I am so nervous. The Summer Showcase is just a little over a week away. My knees start shaking every time I think about it. Was I insane thinking that I could perform in front of all those people and be critiqued by a National Ballroom Champion? What was I thinking? Please help me!
Anxiety Stricken
Dear Anxiety Stricken,
Bless your little heart and all the many others that I have received letters from recently with the same problem, performance anxiety. I used to get butterflies in my stomach off and on for a week before a performance, but on the day of the performance I was a bundle of nerves until I began dancing then I would be okay. Performance anxiety varies with each individual but can be accompanied by shaking tremors rolling through the body, sweaty palms, hyperventilation, dry mouth, or nausea. Not to worry, Sugar Breeches, I have some tips that may help you. First of all, you must get organized. This means that you have everything that you will need ready before the day of showcase. Gowns, tuxedos, dress shirts, cuff links, jewelry, shoes, fishnets, dance pants, cumber buns, ties, socks, etc. should be cleaned, pressed, laid out, and prepared for transport. Second, make an itinerary for the day of showcase. Determine how much time it will take you to do your hair, to get your makeup done, to eat a healthy meal, to load your car, to drive to the studio, etc. Another thing, honey, make sure that you get plenty of rest the week of showcase; especially the night before, you should get a solid night of sleep. Finally, on the day of showcase eat highly nutritional food and hydrate with a lot of water. Now, don’t you feel better already. Being prepared, organized, well nourished and well rested are absolutely necessary to help lower your anxiety and stress before a performance. Now, you can enjoy the dancing and know that you are giving your very best effort.
Dear Poppy,
I am panicking about getting my makeup just right for the Summer Showcase. I am usually a wreck on the day of showcase and my hands are shaking making it difficult to get those false eye lashes on straight. How can I calm down enough to apply my makeup the way that I want it?
In A Makeup Panic
Dear Panic,
Calm down, Sweetie. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. First, get all the products that you think will need. Second, just like your dancing, darling, you have to practice. You have to practice several times before the day of showcase. So get started. The more you practice the better you will get at applying your makeup. Finally, the day of showcase make sure you allow yourself enough time so you don’t have to rush. The same thing applies to fixing your hair: have everything you need, practice the do, and make plenty of time the day of showcase.
