Posts tagged techniques

It’s funny how so many performers yearn to perform, but when the opportunity presents itself, how truly, utterly, & paralyzingly terrifying that can be.  

I think part of it is it he idea of opening up.  In order to make a performance genuine and real, we have to open ourselves up and express various parts of ourselves that can often be very sensitive, intimate.. and private.  We’re showing the world our raw inner parts so to speak, and that can be insanely scary.  But that expression, that sharing, that intimacy.. that’s exactly what makes a performance GOOD, so I think for my part, we have to remember that what we’re sharing with the world is wonderful and precious and worth sharing, because it’s a part of US.. our hearts, and that’s not only beautiful, but it’s exactly what people come to see.  It’s what people connect with, gravitate to…  

And though the idea of opening ourselves up to people and having them not like it is scary as poo, (again, for me), I think the idea is to remember the people who you ARE reaching.  ’Cause nobody can tell your story, or express your heart, thoughts, feelings & ideas, quite like -you.-  ^_^

Plus, for what it’s worth (though it may sound a bit egotistical to some), another thought occurred to me a while back that really stuck w/me- which relates to the above:  Think of all the amazing stuff that you love right now- the music, the costumes, the singers.. all the creative stuff in your life that gives you joy, that highlights your memories, and that lifts you up when you’re uber, uber low.  Now imagine what your life would be like had those people who made those things NOT had the courage to share those parts of themselves w/the world.  If that singer hadn’t had the courage to share their songs.   If that musician had said “I’m not good enough” and never chose to share his/her gifts.  The Universe would be empty of their expression, and you wouldn’t have that thing that gives you joy.  

As performers, it’s the same for us.  If we shrink away, if we say “I’m not good enough,” or never have the courage to release that part of ourselves, we might never connect w/that one person in the audience, who’ll care the memory of us in their heart always.  We might never inspire that woman to go out and learn to dance.  That little girl in the front row might never see you and say “I wanna be like that.”  Or the person you touch with your emotive performance may never have heard that song, or experienced the power OF that song until you performed it, and now it’s one of their favorites.  Do you know what I mean..?  Not only is it a chain, but without YOU, you might be depriving someone of the magic that only -you- can bring to the stage, and that’s a super, super precious thing. ^_^

Lastly, it also takes serious GUTS to go up on stage and share those intimate parts of yourself with the world.  That -alone- deserves applause.  The fact that one is even considering going up on a stage and sharing what they have with the world is mega, so don’t discount that.  People go their whole lives dreaming about doing x y and z, but never having the courage to even try for it.  So you being willing to put yourself out there is HUGE.  Take that into consideration, too. :)  

As for me, I still get hit hardcore by near-debilitating stage fright.  I have all my life.  But much of that I think comes from my life-long cultivated inferiority complex.  The blind kid.  The fat kid.  The weird kid…  The one who nobody ever really wants to hear ANYTHING from (on stage or off..), so why would anyone wanna hear ME sing..?  Or see ME bellydance..?  What right do I have to be up there on that stage.. taking up that space, or using that microphone..?  What do I have to say as a performer..?  As a person..?  Well, in part- all of the above. :)  And I think I’ve grown a good bit inside, even since the last time I performed in December. :)  (And even then, it was easier to stand on that stage than it ever has been in my life. :))  Now the key is, I just have to remember all of the WONDERFUL things I’ve learned over the last few years, when next I perform.  (Or even, when next I’m gathering up the courage to put out a new creative project.. or go out on a limb to make a video, try out for some show, participate in a contest, put out my podcast, etc..)  We have to believe in OUR visions, and what WE’RE WORTH.  (Which is so, -so much.-  ’Cause there’s nobody out there -exactly- like us.  Nobody can tell OUR STORIES.. but us. ;)) ♥

..It’s not always easy, but it CAN be done.  We just have to believe that the songs we have in our hearts are WORTH hearing- no matter how we express those songs (beit through dance, art, voice, cooking, fashion, hair, whatever).  And then, we WILL do it.  We will face up and take that stage, with grace, poise, brilliance, skill, stunning beauty, truth, poetry and passion.  WE WILL.  

We just have to make everybody believe what we already know:  
That we are fabulous and strong and unique; inside AND out. ^_^

♥

My fellow bellydancers; what are your favorite songs to sword dance to?  What are your favorite sword moves?  Do you like performing w/one kind of sword or another? And as I hear many people talk about wearing turbans for sword work, do you prefer turban or no turban?

Discuss! ^_^

♥
Ylluria