When I Get on Stage

You shouldn’t let the fear of what could happen make nothing happen. At least, that’s what I tell myself before each dance performance when I get nervous. When I feel like I might mess up, and when my brain keeps jumping to possible scenarios in which I fail.  It’s not just nervousness in that moment , more like nervousness mixed with excited-ness. The jitters start small, and then start building up more and more.

Imagine being in a crowded dressing room with a bunch of dancers that are performing with you. Everyone is putting final touches on costumes and makeup, taking pictures, or practicing their dance. The show is going to start in a few minutes, and I am getting closer and closer to the time of my performance. How would you feel? Nervous, enthusiastic, bored, even?

I would feel nervous, because even though I’ve been in a lot of competitions, and shows, I know that things could go wrong. I could trip, my earrings could fall off, or I could completely forget your steps. With all the panicking going on inside my head, I am grateful when we get a pep talk, saying that we should go out there and just have fun. While my palms are still sweaty, and under the excitement I am still nervous, I know that I will go out there and do my best! As I get on the stage, all the nerves start to wash away like seashells at high tide.

When I get on the stage, there is no more nervousness and jitters. There is only the excitement that had been there all along.

When I got on the stage, I remembered all the times I had practiced, and how I had committed the dance to muscle memory.

When I got on the stage, I realized that I had friends there, supporting me, and dancing with me every time.

When I got on the stage, I remembered that dancers don’t need wings to fly.

By Amritha Komarraju