The Bella Diva dancers perform all over Denver, enriching our community with world dance and an introduction to new cultures. As a new Bella Diva dancer, you’ve taken the classes, rehearsed with the other dancers, and prepared for your first dance in front of an audience. The first time you perform on stage is a big moment. We want you to remember this time fondly and to be your best, most confident self when you step out on stage. To help out any first-time performers, we’ve devised a checklist on how to prepare for your first dance performance.
Tips to Prepare for Your First Dance Performance
Follow these tips to prepare for your first dance performance, and you will have a smooth transition from practice and rehearsal to showcasing your talents on a stage in front of an audience.
Mental Preparation
To help learn the dance moves, visualize the performance and movements wherever you go. Have the music with you and listen to it repeatedly. Listen to it in the car, on walks, and while doing other activities.
Practice
In addition to dance practices in the studio, you’ll need to practice the routine on your own as well. Practice until you know the routine so well that it’s nearly automatic. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll be on stage and the fewer nerves you’ll have.
Practice in Costume
It’s not enough just to know the dance moves. You need to be comfortable on stage, which means being comfortable in your costume. Practicing repeatedly while wearing the costume that you’ll be wearing on stage can help with this.
Costumes are a big part of world dance performances, and they have a big presence. Practicing in your costume means you won’t get lost. You wear the costume; the costume doesn’t wear you.
Besides, the clothing is the shoes. World dances are performed with all types of footwear, from bare feet to heels. Make sure you practice in whatever shoes you’ll wear on stage, and not just for the dress rehearsals.
See the Stage Before the Performance
Go to the venue and check it out. Get a sense of how big the audience will be and see what the stage looks like. If you can, stand on the stage and look out into the auditorium so that you won’t be overwhelmed when the lights go up for your performance.
Make a List
Make a checklist of everything you’ll need on the day of the performance. This will help you to stay organized and prepared. By being prepared, you will have less to be concerned with and will be better able to focus on your performance. The checklist should include all parts of your costume, your makeup, and anything else you may need before, during, or after the performance.
If you’re interested in world dance or dreamed of performing in front of an audience? Get started today by registering for one of our classes.