Dear Poppy,
Poppy, I am getting stage fright already for the upcoming “Love” Showcase February 12 and 13. Are there any tips you might have to help me get rid of this phenomenon? I am getting butterflies in my stomach already. I know it will just get worse the closer we get to performing. Please help!
Nervous Already
Dear Nervous Already,
Many of us, including top performers, get stage fright. So you are not the only one, Sweetie. Whether you get sweaty palms or dry mouth or nausea there are a few things that you can do that may help. First, be prepared. No matter what you are doing (singing, dancing, or speaking) know your material forward and backward. Concentrate on how good you are going to be. Make eye contact with the audience even if you can’t see them because of lights. Honey, you can pretend that all the audience is sitting there in their underwear if that will calm you down. It seems funny, but it can work! Walk around, drink tepid water, and try to yawn a lot (this will relax you). Think about happy moments in your life and how much joy you will bring to the audience. Finally, Honey, just remember that nervousness doesn’t show as much as it feels. Just do your best and you will survive. “Break a Leg!”
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.
