To any normal person, standing in front of a big crowd or audience can feel nerve-racking, but dancers have always been training for that moment, even if they don’t realize it. The stage presence, confidence, and performance skills required of dancers translate well to the podium. This advantage is built in the studio, but time spent on stage only makes these skills stronger.
Stage Presence Comes Naturally
Dancers already know how to turn heads when they walk into a room. It’s natural. Whether it is walking on stage to get an award or dancing your heart out for a solo, you know how to grab an audience’s attention without even thinking about it. That same presence can also make people pay attention and listen when you speak because you are trained to do these things with confidence.
Body Language is Key
While many people struggle with appearing comfortable and confident on stage, dancers have been training their body language for years. You are hyper-aware of posture, hand gestures, and every tiny movement. This can become very helpful as body language plays a big role in how people perceive you. Standing with your head held high, shoulders back, and making big gestures helps strengthen your message.
Comfortable With an Audience
The thought of having a whole room filled with people watching you isn’t new or abnormal to a dancer familiar with the stage. You’ve been performing in front of crowds for years, which means you have the upper hand. That feeling of comfort and experience can help to ease any anxiety and allow you to feel comfortable in what you are doing. Being able to channel your nerves into adrenaline is an absolute game-changer.
Expression is Your Strength
Great public speakers build connections with their audience. Eye contact, word choice, and movement make a difference. While you probably don’t talk much during your routines, you are used to expressing yourself through movements and feelings, so speaking adds a new opportunity to connect with your audience. Tone, facial expressions, or hand gestures can make the audience feel connected and trust you.
Calm Under Pressure
Sometimes things don’t go according to plan when performing. Maybe there’s a costume mishap or the music cuts out. Dancers quickly learn to adapt and act on their creative impulses. This applies to public speaking as well. You wouldn’t hesitate to complete the choreo, even if the room went silent. You are quick on your feet to come up with solutions and ideas.
