(Day in the Life of a Dancer)
I slip my toe pads over my blistered toes and pull my pointe shoes over my feet. Fear begins to well up in me, making me feel as if I can barely breathe. This is it, opening night, I have been preparing for this moment and role practically my whole life. I put my earbuds in to block out the chattering people backstage; I take a deep breath and close my eyes. My brain begins to wander and I think of all the what if’s:
‘What if I fall out of my turn? ‘What if I slip and fall?’ ‘What if I forget a step?’ ‘What if my costume breaks on stage?’
Negative thoughts begin to flood my head. Immediately I try to turn the negative energy into excitement to perform. I look around me and see my teachers and friends, know that I can do this and a new strength fills me.
The first strum of music fills the theatre and my heart thuds against my chest. I clasp my hands in prayer to thank the Lord for the opportunity to perform and ask for my performance to bring glory to Him. I anxiously await on the side of the stage and finally, I hear my queue to go on stage. As I step outside of the curtain the lights wash over me and all my nerves fall away. Pure joy fills my soul as I express myself through the art that is my passion.
Performers, particularly dancers, must overcome the emotion of fear each time that they perform on a stage. As a performer, we express our own vulnerabilities to the audience through movement.
—
Photo Credit: Google Images
