Continuing with 4 more ways to give your best dance performance…
Expect the unexpected:
Be mindful of the fact that no matter how much you practiced on your own, with your dance partner, and in your costumes on stage, you can always end up in a scenario that you haven’t encountered before. To give your best dance performance, keep going with your steps and have fun if you make a mistake. Learn to laugh at yourself and take things lightly. The audience will love it if you are able to remain upbeat and happy while making an error, and most of the time, they will not even notice if a mistake was made.
Adding a movement that feels natural:
Choreography of any type of dance may include many steps and movements that do not always feel natural for us to execute. Adding more natural movements, may help us feel more confident and have more fun on stage – and they often look better too. Things like a simple hair flip or hip twist or any form of styling helps you execute your weaker steps with more confidence.
Focus on your body, not on your thoughts:
When you’re giving your personal best dance performance, focus more on how much joy you feel when you dance and listen to the music, rather than the critical thoughts, such as, did I spin the wrong way? or why didn’t I point my toe here?
Remember to stay consistent: If you have to improvise, so be it, but make sure you always look like you’re having fun, even if you’re really nervous. The audience is not there to judge or criticize you; they are there to enjoy the best dance performance you can give, and if you keep smiling and look like you’re having fun, they will pick up your positive energy. That positive energy will circulate back to you, and you’ll both feel happier with the outcome.
Focus on your strengths when choreographing:
If you feel like you cannot execute a specific movement confidently, better to leave it for the next performance. While challenging yourself is always great, you also have to be ready, physically and mentally, and it is better to spend more time practicing a specific move and feeling confident about it prior to performing, rather than taking a wild risk and injuring yourself.