Thank you, and thanks to EVERYONE who replied. I think I am worried that people will laugh at me or something... And the most irritating thing in the two shows I've danced was my ridiculous head band. I love it; it is beutiful. But I feel like I can't do proper laybacks/backbends for fear it will fall off! I had it pretty well secured, too... I can just feel it shifting. I think I will post that on the costuming tribe...

Anyhow, I will most definitely be practicing. Especially the stage presence/dance face thing... Thanks!

Things fly off sometimes, it happens, one of the best show I ever saw [Le Serpent Rouge :3], unfortunatly both of Rachel's flowers in one song came out, she danced through it gracefully, smiled, joked a little and danced on.

I've had hairsticks come out, flowers fall out, and the [is it "bedoin chain?", the under the chin drape] drag part of my headress in a threatening manner...You have to remember sometimes too, not all headdresses are made for laybacks. There are just some moves that don't work in certain costuming peices.

As for the stage fright...just try and relax as best you can before hand. Don't worry about people laughing, most of the time [unless it's in resturants?] you'll probably be performing for other dancers right? Who are the to support you, be yourself, be funky, be however, smile, and enjoy how the music moves you, let the audience see it fully. I can't give advice very well on this I suppose, because stage is the most comfortable place for me most of the time :] [note: most, when it comes to improvisation, and when I can actully hear my music...]

Good luck, add more hair combs or clips if that's what it takes.

What works for me is getting roller pins (they basically are big, sturdy bobby pins) from Sally's Beauty Supply and criss-crossing them on the head band right above your ears. Pretty much no movement :)

I still shake from having stage fright after sooooo (16!) many years. I discovered (after most of those years!!!)that the audience is expecting you to shake anyway!!! I have dropped things,swords/jugs/canes..., fallen down,lost bra tops/skirts/jewels... AAAAAAAA!, slipped on my veil/wings, been stuck in my jewels(the bracelet stuck to earings ...or belt...ones are rough!! :-)) even gotten tangled up in other dancers!!! But no one watching you "knows" what will happen next... even those unexpected solos in group dances:-) i just keep going... and ...smiling...and keep dancing!!!!!:-)
dance on!!

I have nervous jitters before performing every time I perform, but it goes away as soon as the music starts. Distractions usually help, but I have also found that I give a much better performance when I am nervous.

Nerves = sparkle, for me.

I've found that I'm nervous for a couple of hours before a show...no matter how small or big.
I tend to be 'in myself'. I don't talk (as) much, I become somewhat introverted.
What I've learned to do is channel that energy and use it on stage. I don't really know how to
describe this, it's just something I do. All that energy and emotion that I've been keeping inside for the
last few hours comes out, in about 4 minutes.
I get on that stage and nothing else matters.
If you are worrying the whole time you are on stage, you're not giving the audience your all.
They came to see you dance, so do it!

Two words:
Beta Blockers!

I don't use them before I dance but I do use them before I play. (I'm a musician, too)
I suffered from stage fright for years and finally gave up and got the prescription. Beta Blockers are normally used for those with high blood pressure, but are also quite common among those who speak in public or play an instrument.
I am pleased with the effects because they take away the uncontrolable shaking, and I am left in control. The Beta Blocker lasts for about 4 hours.

Old theatre superstition: bad dress rehearsal = great show!

drink lots of wine. :)


just kidding!!! well kind of kidding. although a little vino does help the nerves.

Planet India works for me. And in the words of another indigo lil birdie... remembering that 'it's just bellydance!" And it's fun! takes some of self-imposed pressure off... . cuz ultimately, the pressure/stage fright we feel is internal, and self-imposed.

but wow can it be a doozy!
i agree, taking a moment to ground before going on stage, and even listening to your music on the ipod a lot backstage really seems to help me. Dancing with others in a troupe also always calms me down. to be able to look at a friend on stage with you, make eye contact, connect up there... that always puts me at ease, and settles any nerves... Solo-ing? well that's a whole 'nother story.

and hey!! If you're wanting to work on all that theatricality/stage frieight/stage presence/performing type stuff in your dancing.... pls. do consider comin out this Aug. to the SF Mecca Immerison, in San Francisco. Aug. 8-12th. 3- or 5-days of top-notch dancing, with an intermediate track and focus on such concepts as you are just talking about. You may get some more tips from the amazing Zoe and Mardi on how they deal with stage fright..... and I know Zoe is psyched to be offering a whole workshop on performance and theatricality.. sfmeccaimmersion.com or www.tribe.net/sfmecca~immersion

xo
deb

So last night, (after I was far away from a computer, of course) I thought of the word 'invoke'... I should have used that in the last post somewhere...
It's like at some point you need to invoke that inner badass that's in there, dying to get out and play... You have an inner rockstar (raqsstar?) that wants to get out on that stage and--despite the nerves and worries--share that fire & passion you have for your craft!

I do think that there's something to be said for being able to speperate yourself from...er yourself...to a certain extent, on stage... Having a persona that you can sort of use as a tool or a mask can feel freeing... Having a stage name is part of it, but it's more about attitude... Enter the stage as a *character*... as you, but bigger and larger than life... If that makes sense...
Someone said earlier that it really is just practice; getting used to performing by pure saturation, ya know? The more you do it, the easier it gets... It's true! Although, I want to add that no matter how often you perform, those butterflies should always be there...even if just a little...that's what makes it exciting! As soon as you get too used to it and too comfortable, you might risk losing that excitement, anticipation and fire!

So, Let the wardrobe mishaps happen and trip on your skirt a couple times... It happens to everyone... Being able to laugh it off is the important part... So you don't let it scare you out of dancing...

Keep it up, love!