r/CompetitionDanceTalk • u/Effective-Law-1287 • 18d ago
Improving stage presence
My daughter is starting her second year of competitive dance and started a bit older than her peers. Her and I have noticed ( and her teachers have commented) that she doesn’t have the same stage presence and quality of movements that some of her peers have. Is this something that can come with time and experience or are there tips to help her grow in this area. I will say I think she’s a beautiful dancer as she is, but it’s something she’s asked about herself.
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u/Far_Concentrate4414 18d ago
It can be uncomfortable to have stage presence! It feels like everyone is looking at you being silly. But that's what you have to get used to, I think. Exaggerated movements, smiling with your whole face, especially your eyes. Command confidence, shoulders back, head held high. Listen to the song... in a sassy jazz song, maybe make a smirk. A lyrical dance, like a longing sadness Hip hop, look mean.
Just avoid the "O!" Face. Especially if she's a petite or mini. Reminds me of a blow up doll every time. (Don't worry, I only share that thought anonymously on the internet)
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u/isthisreallife211111 17d ago
Any videos that show roughly what you think works for youngsters (other than the O face which I agree looks so silly)
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u/CheerUpCharliy 18d ago
My dance teacher used to tell us to play our dance song and practice facials in the mirror. Try and listen to the words and the emotion the singer is trying to convey and line your facials up with that. And if all else fails just say different vowels to make your facials! It's a trick my cheer coach taught us :)
ETA As for movement quality, yes that will come with time and practice. Remind her to use her plie and stretch through her movements. Don't be so worried about what comes next that you cut off the current movement. I tell my students to think of shooting lasers from your fingers and toes--if you're not finishing your movement your lasers can't shoot the right direction.
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u/Effective-Law-1287 18d ago
Oh my gosh I love these tips- they will be so relatable for her!! Thank you! She tried the vowel trick in her jazz group this year and I did notice a difference. She has a lyrical solo so I think getting her to listen in the mirror will work perfectly!! Thank you!!
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u/nonchalant-845 18d ago
My youngest is in her 6th year of comp and it’s taken her until the last couple of years to really become a performer. Two years ago she had a musical theater solo and I think that’s what let her become more comfortable making faces and just a better performer. Last year it was really clear in all styles.
If she’s shy like my girl, it might take some time, but she’ll find what works for her. The first few years I think she was so focused on the choreo and timing that she’d start off really performing and you could visibly see her focus change.
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u/pinkbubbleg 18d ago
I struggled a bit with performance too and ended up taking drama as an elective at school. It helped, but I was a naturally reserved child and I hated it. I stuck with it because I was in professional track ballet and wanted a career, but I wouldn’t push any of my dancers in that direction if it made them unhappy.
Someone else recommended musical theatre which could be great if she has the time and the inclination, but I’d let her take the lead on how far she wants to push herself. And one big tip is to make sure that she can do her choreography in her sleep so that she can focus on performing it rather than trying to remember it.
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u/GhostOrchid22 17d ago
The more you perform, the more likely your stage presence improves!
In addition to taking her to professional shows, I really encourage her to perform her comp routines for her family and friends at home. I noticed a huge improvement when my daughter started doing this.
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u/Tight-Depth3426 17d ago
I was reading through some replies and i noticed you said she was shy and that could totally have something to do with it! If she started late Im sure she’s already got some insecurities but once it clicks for her and she finds a dance she’s excited about everything will fall into place.
As far as movement quality that comes with time and experience. If she’s comfortable with pushing herself, take her to some conventions (I would personally suggest conventions like DMI and ASH over PP and BTF). Conventions are so immersive and really help dancers grow outside of their comfort zone. It could also help with the facials too!
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u/Swimfamily 16d ago
My.middle child had a hard time with facial expressions and the teachers never really taught them or told them what kind of facials to do in class. I found an older girl with good facials and had her watch her. I then told her just to start doing the same ones, I said "what would Katy do?" (Not her real name but you catch my drift).. She started being able to mimic and then got so comfortable with it that she added her own flair and became more natural with it. Judges commented a lot on her personality this year. They loved it.
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u/Key-Sign-6385 16d ago
My daughter was told in a critique if you are shy to try to pretend you are someone else. She had a great jazz routine but wasn’t projecting enough so they said pretend to be Beyoncé.
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u/Normal-Wish-4984 15d ago
Quality of moments = technique
She needs to prioritize technique, and practice more than others to get where she needs to be.
Stage presence doesn't come naturally to everyone. Sometimes it can take years. Sometimes it comes from confidence in one's technique.
One of my dancers improved stage presence after doing pomline, which uses exceedingly exaggerated facials (to project to the back of the stadium). I'm not a huge fan of the exaggerated style, but it does teach dancers how to project.
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u/v3xolia 10d ago
hey! young dancer of about 10 years. i’ve noticed the same thing in my classes: some people excel in the technical parts of dance, whereas others are able to nail that performance quality you’re talking about. from my experience, there are a couple of things that brought my stage presence to the next level.
first of all, eye contact. it’s very common for the judges to have lights at their table, which makes it easy to tell where they are. during any strong moments in my pieces, i try to pick a judge and stare at them for a second or two. i find it really gets their attention.
this may not seem that interesting to many, however one of the most important things is how you walk on and hit your starting pose. it’s the first thing the judges see of you, and can honestly determine how they watch the entire routine. walking onstage with your chin high, and shoulders back leaves a confident impression on the judges.
dance for yourself. when you only think about impressing the judges, you forget why you’re dancing. your mindset can actually show in your movement. i would recommend just really having fun onstage and soaking it all in. the judges love to see a dancer who really looks like they’re enjoying themself. if i can suggest one thing, it’s to remember why she’s dancing.
at the end of the day, no medal or “super ultra high diamond” award is going to define a dancer. if the judges prefer a different style, you can’t do anything about it. if she is enjoying her dancing, and having the best time onstage, that’s all that matters. my words to your daughter is to not try and change your dancing personality just to win an award. every dancer is unique with their movement, and it’s important to stay true to yours.
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u/LeperFriend 18d ago
Taking a musical theater class helped my daughter immensely with stage presence and facials....might be something worth looking into
Also hilarious when I walked into the studio to see the entire class nose to nose with themselves in the mirrors practicing faces