Dancers, Don't Get Down on Yourselves

“Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody has those days.”

-Hannah Montana

Everybody does make mistakes, but it is what we learn from those mistakes that will help us in the future to prosper as dancers. Making a mistake as a dancer can at times feel like the world can’t go on and you will never be able to redeem yourself, the pressure can get to you and make you feel incapable. In this position I challenge you to shake it off and not get upset over the little things, or even the large scale things for that matter. It is important to have confidence and not to become discouraged with yourself, because everyone makes mistakes.

Messing up on stage in front of a large audience can be humiliating, whether it’s performing a solo, small group or huge production. In the moment you think all eyes are on you and the mistake you made is all the audience can see and think about. Truthfully, it is not as noticeable as you think. Yes, timing may be scattered or you may have a complete blank, but that’s okay. It happens even to the best of us.

A point to remember when you become flustered over an error is that your audience is very forgiving. They understand there is an immense amount of pressure on you when you take the stage and it is not the end of the world if you make mistake. The audience has come to watch you dance, and they want to see you do well.

After making a mistake on stage instead of getting angry and worked up over it, try to calm down, take some deep breaths, and get yourself into an open mind set for your next curtain call. If the routine you made a mistake in performs again in the future, try and prepare yourself for it in order to master the sequence and feel accomplished in your performance.

It is hard, but everybody makes mistakes and gets down on themselves. Rise above the negativity and keep a positive stance. Have a clear mind and remember the less deal you make over it, the less people will remember the mistake. It works like magic.

Enjoy your time on stage and know that the audience wants you to succeed and feel great about your performance. The clapping at the end, yeah that’s for you, so smile and be happy even if that mistake is working over your confidence. You can redeem yourself later, and you will be absolutely fabulous.

 

~Julia Brewer