Its after a very longgg gap that today I’ve sat with my mind
tuned up for blogging. The sweet thing tat am gonna share with you all today is
about the good vibrations going on in between me and the ‘microphone’ since
childhood. You all may be wondering about what am blabbering….of course, its
something related to blabbering publicly ;-) (hope my clue’s enough for you to
figure out my main topic of blabbering…….oooops…….conversation today!)
As I was going through many of my snaps since nursery days
till-date, something struck off ma mind which I thought of sharing with all readers of
my blog post. My close accompaniment with the stage and the mike started during
my Kinder Garden classes as I started to sing rhymes and participating
in all kinds of stage competitions like singing, dance, rhymes, elocution and
the like.
When you get up on to the stage, facing a huge crowd of
audience seated, everyone’s eyes set up on you alone, am sure that your hands
start shivering, pulse rate increases, tongue starts rolling back, sweat glands
start activated, etc etc…….On the whole, we would feel a mini heart convulsion
taking place on the inside making us feel as if we’re standing as the Main
Commander of the Third World War battle field. Hope it’s the same with everyone
of us! :P
So, all these same reactions occurred for me too whenever I
used to get up on to the stage for delivering a stage performance, especially a
solo one. There have also been times when I have messed up my prepared item on
the stage because of the so called ‘stage fear’ that each and everyone who
enters into the dais encounter. But, however embarrassing experiences I had on
the stage, I went on and on, never giving up, because of which, today, getting
on to the dais and presenting anything even unplanned on the spot, doesn't seem
to me as a big deal. My personal history of facing a big mountain has been
transformed into a cloudy smoke, literally…..But how?
Here are some itty-bitty tips I’d like to give to those who
go for a stage appearance and present their pre-planned presentation without any
phobia (tips based upon my own experience…stage experts, kindly forgive me if
am wrong).
v
As the old saying goes like this: “Practice
makes a man perfect”, whatever stage act you've been preformed to do,
‘preparation’ is the key word. In other words, till the day comes, you gotta
put in your maximum efforts and design and mould yourselves for the stage act.
But on the day, keeping your cool side strong is the simple secret.
v
Only till the previous day should be all your
paintings and patch works and battles and struggles and rehearsals
and…and…phewwwwwwwwww…all blah blah blah………….or the preparations. But, let such
readiness activities be your maximum best to the core, which will automatically
rekindle your spirits and enlighten your confidence levels that you’ll be the
shining star of the day before the spectators.
v
On the particular day of your stage appearance,
your only focus should be on your public etiquette and overall personality.
Deviate your entire attention on the dress you’re gonna wear, your kind of
grooming (apt to the situation), and most importantly, the way you’re gonna
carry yourself on the podium.
v
Never even think of the moment when you’ll go to
the stage or get discouraged by seeing others speaking or singing or whatever
activities they’re into. Your mind should be fully self-centered thinking that
you’re a star who’s gonna step onto the dais and ready to do something casually
which was already pre-planned. Too much of stressing yourself into the speech
or song you’re gonna present will surely spoil your attitude and performance at
the last moment. Rather than imagining as if you’re going to recite something
which was already memorized by you, just feel every line of what you’re going
to present before the audience, just like how you’ll share your view with your
friends. Think that you’re talking straightly to them rather than elaborating
your thoughts to a highly standard level like you are going to give a
bigggggggggg speech or something else.
v
This is a piece of statement which I remember
hearing from my dad when I was a kid and was preparing to go to an elocution
competition. He encouraged me saying “Dear, just simply think all of them
sitting in front of you as fools and you’re the only one who’s intelligent and the master of the day and
start speaking with full of confidence, devoid of any stammering or showing
your doubtful face. Even if you forget a line, take a quick leap into the next
sentence that comes into your mind without any change in expression.” And
that’s it! This is something like a mantra that I followed from that day onward
which really worked out too. Face the audience, look into their eyes, never
mind of any disturbances, just think of yourself as the star of the day, smile,
and its as simple as that! No more will any stage appearance seem difficult
for if you start practicing and preparing your mind too in this way.
Today, it’s by the immense Grace of God that, starting from
school days continuing towards college days and even till-date, be it anywhere
or any event, am given the wonderful opportunity of hosting (Master of Ceremony) the function or leading
the worship or sermon in church or giving an intro or speech or even a spot
calling for a stage presentation. And I've received many honors and praises
after I come outta the stage from all age groups which always give me a feeling
of great satisfaction and pleasure. Since I’ve always noticed many of my
friends frame out many kinds of questions to me like , “How are you able to do
this Jeni? Have you taken any special training or course to present in a stage
without any fear or hesitation? Don’t you have any stage phobia?” etc etc…..I
thought this post of mine could be a useful one for many of the readers who
have small difficulties in getting on to the podium with the mike and have a
straight face-to-face encounter with the people seated around.
Whatever it is, by all means, all I can say is, the main
reason for me shining on-stage…with-mike is, firstly, the talent showered by
the Almighty and secondly, my dear parents who always make sure that the talent
gets exposed in the right angle by imparting me a good education and training
needed to mould me in the best possible way. Am always thankful to them for
that……….
