Discover proven stage performance techniques and best practices to enhance your live shows and create memorable audience experiences.
The following is a guest post from my bloggy friend Taylor McKnight on behalf of Microtouch. Interested in having a guest post on my website? Click here for my guest post submission form.
Key takeaways from this post:
– Importance of appropriate dress codes and presentation
– Tips for working with bands and orchestras
– Techniques for handling multi-language performances
– Value of updated stage technology
– Essential stage entrance and exit protocols
– Common performance mistakes to avoid
– Importance of audience engagement techniques
– Best practices for stage presence
Essential Stage Presence Tips for Modern Performers
It’s a well-known fact that people enjoy watching performers. They’ll even go out of their way to get up close and personal with them to get the best view possible. However, performing on stage is no easy task, so it’s important to know some trade tricks before going on stage. An audience will lose interest if they have trouble seeing you or can’t hear what you’re doing.
What Entertainers Need to Know Before Their Act
Personal Dress Codes
To put it simply, when performing at a live venue, it’s important to remember that you’ll be working with people of all ages in the audience, so you must dress appropriately. In other words, your clothes need to be appropriate for the performance and possibly even the current weather conditions. It helps to keep up with pop culture and trending social media fashion trends so you know what is up and coming.
Working With a Band or Orchestra
When working with an orchestra or band, you will find an additional set of directions to follow to provide the most natural experience for the audience. For example, when performing on stage with a band and a guitarist, it’s important to ensure that your guitar parts are played to avoid distraction. Additionally, while standing behind your electric guitar during the performance, ensure that you are not blocking the airflow of the instrument or interrupting sound currents.
Playing in an Unknown Language
This trick wouldn’t seem applicable to most musicians, but the truth is that it can be used if you’re playing an instrument not traditional to your culture or nationality. For example, Indian performers might give their performance in English, which often appeals more to the people in attendance who are unfamiliar with the particular musical traditions of India. This is vice versa if an English artist is performing in another country as well.
Tips On Unique Performance On Stage Techniques
This one depends on the type of performance you’re offering. If you’re performing a drum solo, it can be easy to bring the audience’s attention to the drums by tapping your foot on the floor while brushing away lint as you play.
On the other hand, if you’re playing with an ensemble and have a specific theme to your show, it can work well to use props or flash mob techniques to keep them interested. Either way, it never hurts to add some extra flair to your act. You really want something that is going to make you stand out with what you are doing compared to the rest of your competition.
What Entertainers Should Make Sure to Include in Their Act
Updated Technology
A large amount of performers will try and utilize stage equipment and technology that is just laying around or that they can find for cheap. While this may function adequately now it will not last forever. Investing in the most current technology, such as screens and monitors, to provide your audience with up close visuals will be more appreciated than that of a slight video camera that shows pixelated images.
A Show of Hands
This is one of the most simplistic and quickly done tricks, but it can be easy to forget about it at times. On a few different shows I’ve been on, I’ve seen audiences continue to clap even after numerous times that the hands-up gesture was repeated. This can be a great trick for when you’re in front of an audience that’s used to clapping along with your music.
The Stage Bow
This is a crucial part of the end of a performance. Whether you’re in front of a small gathering or an audience so big that they can’t even see you, this shows your gratitude for their attention, which is an important part of putting on a good show. Due to this also being common knowledge it is an understood symbol of a finale and that the performance has ended.
Stage Entrances and Exits
In most cases, it’s not hard to make your way to the stage. If you’re in front of a full house and face the stage, they may watch you. Nonetheless, it’s important to remember that your entrance and exit should be as smooth as possible. Don’t turn into a ball of fire by rushing in or out without preparation. Instead, leave enough time for everyone to see you and applaud when you’re finished. There is no reason to rush and make the experience come to an end even sooner than it should.
What Not to Do In the On-Stage Performance
No matter how good you are, you will eventually encounter some things as an entertainer that you’ll want to avoid. It’s important not to attempt any magic tricks while on stage. They can fail and lead to a disastrous performance, which your audience will remember even if they’re impressed by other parts of the show. Even if they do work, the audience is likely to feel a bit cheated and may lose interest in what your act has to offer. This is of course based on the individual and overall performance. For example, if you are a skilled magician and performer you can definitely pursue a magic show on stage. However, if you are a singer that is just dabbling in magic then it would be of your best interest to avoid the practice.
Now that we’ve covered a few interesting techniques and some things to avoid, it’s important to remember that your performance depends on your audience’s enjoyment. In other words, while you need to put on a good show, it probably won’t be appreciated if they can’t see or hear what you’re doing. Therefore, make sure your equipment is up to par along with you are following best performance practices so your audience will receive the most optimal experience.
