Stage Presence – How to be the Center of Attention

Each year as dancers begin to perform in the first competitions of the season under the critical eye of the judges that the dancer is presented with their ‘score’ of how successful a performance was given that I hear this same question by dancers and parents alike.  “Her technique was above everyone on that stage, so why wasn’t she awarded a Platinum?” or “He has more talent than everyone up there so why did he not place in the Overall standings?”  My answer is plain and simple.  Your talent can be exceptional and your make-up and costume superb.  But if your performance doesn’t have ‘electricity’ and engage your audience, you are just like everyone else.  You haven’t captured the audiences’ attention.  You don’t have the stage presence to make your performance a complete performance.  You may be excellent in execution but without ‘soul’ in your performance, you aren’t going to win your audience over.

Some are lucky enough to be born with that ‘Sparkle’; the part of their being that is naturally intriguing, attractive, and seductive.  That is natural stage presence.  They can pull us into their world with ease.  At the same time, luckily, stage presence can be taught.  Understanding your audience, what they are looking for, what is trending and how that affects your performance and learning how to use this information to fully engage your audience is truly what you need to develop your personal style and define a great stage presence.

You’ve worked hard.  You’ve put in the time, in class, in private lessons, rehearsals, and conventions; basically anything you could do to make you into the dancer that people want to see.  You want them to place their cold hard cash on the box office counter (or competition stage) and marvel at your attempt at perfection.  I get it.  As dancers or performers, we want people to watch us on stage and with that, up to now, it’s been all about you.  But to create a stage performance that will draw every eye to you, you will have to realize, it’s not all about you.  It’s about knowing your audience and what they are looking for.

Confidence on stage is the hallmark of a great performer.  A great dancer and performer work hard and listen to experienced dancers or performers for any tidbits or positive critic offered without rejection.  A great stage performer knows his/her weaknesses and takes the necessary steps to improve and is comfortable with those implementations.  Stage presence is not just on your face with ‘facials’ that look contrived at best and painful and worst.  Your stage presence begins with your confidence; your whole body energy from your very first step on stage to your finishing pose has to be full of genuine emotion.  To be able to do that takes a dancer that is comfortable with him/her.

How you bring the interpretation of the music to the audience is also key to great stage performance.  Performing to the music, listening to its ebbs and flows, moderations in tempo, feel, and substance are key to bringing a great performance and enhancing stage performance.  Just counting through the number is not going to cut it here.  Knowing your music and the story you want your audience to understand and actually experience is key.  Is this a happy, uplifting piece or sad or reflective.  Find that emotion.  Put it into your performance.  Live the music.  Don’t be afraid to use your own life experiences, even if they are not quite what the music is specifically outlining.  Everyone has a best day with all of those feelings and everyone has a less pleasant experience to draw from; loss of a friend, pet or loved one.  Put true emotion into your performance.  It definitely shows.

Lastly, put that playful, imaginative part of you into your performance; the one that comes out to play in your bedroom in front of the closet mirror.  You know what I’m talking about…that strong, confident, fearless side of you that only you show to your most perfect audience…you.  Put that energy, put that confidence, and always remember you can never be too prepared.  Learning never stops for those who wish to be a professional.  Embrace constructive criticism from other professionals, choreographers, instructors and judges and you will find your stage presence will bloom and greater opportunities will begin to open up for you as a performer.
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Louis McKay is President of North County DanceArts, Inc. located in Carmel Valley and currently trains 400 students from ages 3 to 93 years of age.  Louis has performed and taught Master dance and musical theater classes in 42 of our 50 states and Europe and South Africa. In 1980, Louis McKay opened Louis McKay Dance Studio, later to become North County DanceArts, Inc., which is a teaching facility that is best known for its professional teaching staff and quality dance training. Dancers from beginning level to professional are taught technique, terminology, and discipline in a nurturing and fun environment. Louis currently lives in Carmel Valley San Diego with his wife Tanya and is the proud father of four grown children and two grandchildren. Louis and Tanya McKay also own DanceHearts, a 501 (c) (3) Public Charity called Bells of Freedom Program, serves military men, women and their families by providing emergency care and support, back to school backpack program, vehicle donations and the annual “The Big Thank You” Military Holiday Event.