Between Performances
A resource for dancers to deliberately dial readiness down after a performance and then dial it up again for the next performance
P R E
Between Performances
One performance down. One to go.
The readiness curve
To perform at my best, I don't stay switched on all day. I dial my readiness down after a performance, then deliberately dial it back up before I perform again.
1
- I keep walking instead of sitting straight down.
- I breathe out longer than I breathe in, a few times.
- I get some water in me, and out of costume if I can.
- If I want to talk about it, I keep it simple: what I enjoyed, what I'm proud of. Then I let it go.
2
- This time is for something completely different: music, a game, a book, quiet time.
- Results, other troupes, and going over what happened can all wait until later.
- Being distracted right now isn't wasting time, it's part of getting ready again.
3
- I choose food that I know will fuel me well, rather than relying on a quick sugar hit.
- A sandwich, yoghurt and fruit, crackers and cheese, or another familiar snack.
- I don't experiment with food on competition day.
4
- I get up and walk every so often.
- I shake out my arms and legs, and roll my ankles.
- I move enough to stay loose, but I don't turn the gap into another rehearsal, in my body or in my head.
5
- Costume back on, and I walk with a bit of purpose.
- Back with my group, I start my warm up, listen to the music, and mentally mark the key moments.
- I don't need to recreate how I felt this morning. I just need to get ready for what's next.
6
3
Three breaths. Slow in, longer out.
2
Two words that feel right for me today, like "strong, together" or "lift, enjoy".
1
One thing to focus on, like the person dancing beside me, or the music.
I don't have to feel ready to be ready.
- Excited, nervous, tired, flat, it doesn't matter which one shows up.
- None of those feelings tell me whether I can perform.
- Readiness is something I create, not something I wait to feel.
- My first troupe performance doesn't decide my second.
For those around me
- My body needs to settle before my mind can, so breathing and movement come before conversation.
- Questions about the performance keep me keyed up, even kind ones, so save them for later.
- The best thing you can give me between performances is space to come down and reset.