Building stage experience as a singer

2019 Austin City Limits Music Festival, performing with my band “Goons”

I often hear the same thing from many singers: “I love to sing and I’ve put a lot of work into my voice, but getting on stage still terrifies me.” Some may have a natural inclination for getting up on stage while others may not, but developing a professional, steady stage presence is a learned practice.

Here are a few tips that have helped me find peace and purpose while exploring stages of many kinds:

1. Practice makes peaceful

   I’ve had only one recurring nightmare throughout my life—I’m standing in the wings on a stage with no idea what show or performance is supposed to be happening and someone gives me the cue to “get out there”. With no preparation or clue as to what I’m supposed to be doing, I fake my way through the entire thing while the audience watches on (*shudder*). There’s nothing worse than feeling unprepared, so giving yourself the time to put in some proper practice and preparation before getting on stage is crucial. Professional singers across multiple genres have rehearsal routines set in place as well as pre-show rituals that help them get into the mind/body state that best helps them step onto that stage with clarity. What you need to practice and prepare for will differ depending on the music you’re performing, the kind of stage environment you’re in, etc. Working with a voice & performance coach can be a very helpful tool in navigating the best way to get yourself ready for the stage and knowing when it’s time to take that leap.

2. Know what your stage is for

   There are lots of different kinds of stages for different kinds of environments. Performing in an intimate, corner cafe is going to require something different than an arena. An open mic night will require something different than a musical theater audition. If you find that you are anxious about getting on stage because you worry what people will think of your performance, try shifting your thinking from self focused to event focused. Here are a few helpful questions to ask yourself:

   + What is the purpose of this event? What are the people who are hosting this wanting to achieve?
   + Who is my audience? How might they be hoping to feel at this event?
   + How will my performance add value to this event?
   
   By looking at the stage event itself over your individual performance, you start to see the entire opportunity as a whole. You’re probably not the only person involved, and by seeing yourself as a team player in creating an excellent experience for the people coming to participate you’ll start to see the possibility for goodness in what you have to contribute. Placing value on what you have to share doesn’t mean you are thinking too much of yourself or that you have “arrived”. It fosters a healthy sense of how to recognize the positive role you can play in your community through your singing.

3. Build relationships with your tools and teammates

   Singers may not always have as much heavy duty gear to deal with, but that doesn’t mean we are exempt from being knowledgable about our tools and the people who help make our voices heard! Part of getting comfortable on stage means knowing how our microphones and monitors work and how best to manage them for the kind of singing we’re doing. By learning to handle these tools well, we make it much easier to communicate and work with the teams put in place to craft the overall sound experience of a stage.

   Some of the people who have influenced my experiences on stage for the good over the years are the wonderful human beings who are live sound engineers—their kindness, patience, expertise and professionalism helped me to be confident in both my own singing and their ability to support my sound with their skillset. If you also sing with a band or other live musicians, befriend them however possible! Learning what kind of communication works best for you all in rehearsal vs in the midst of a live performance can make or break the experience for you all and influence your opportunity to work with them in the future. Investing in good relationships with those who share the stage with you is always worth the effort.

There are many elements that contribute to finding your own confidence on stage, with these being just a few. Which of these points stood out the most for you? If you’re looking for a place to receive feedback on your current performance prep and to brainstorm performance opportunities, I love to work with singers who find their home on stage! You can book a Free 30 Minute Call with me to discuss your next best step.

Sydney is a voice teacher and coach from Austin, TX. She offers 1 hour virtual voice lessons online as well as the 6 Weeks To Better Singing Program. When she’s not teaching, Sydney enjoys performing with her boyfriend in their band called “Goons”, getting behind the sewing machine, and cuddling with her cute and crazy dog, Radar.