The Tried and True Method of Playing Pretend

By Kaylee Anderson

With Ballroom Blast 2016 looming on the horizon, I think it's time I take a break from talking about my initial fear of performing and stories of embarrassment. Instead, maybe it's time to focus on how I've done my best to overcome my stage fright in the two years since I started dancing.

I am not what one would call an easygoing person, especially during times of emotional distress (e.g. flubbing up on the dance floor). I care what people think of me---judges, parents, friends, enemies, you name it, everyone has the potential for scrutiny. Even while I'm practicing, having other people watch me dance sets me on edge. But how does one circumvent the terror of being watched while performing in a visual sport?

The short answer is that you don't, at least not in my case. The fear is always there, an underlying hum that settles into your bones no matter how hard you try to ignore it. It can manifest itself in an unsteady piece of choreography, a shaking hand, or in my case, facial seizures. The important factor here is how you choose to overcome that anxiety, and I have a special routine that I follow to feel comfortable performing in front of audiences.

When it comes to competitions, my mantra is the same one my dad has had for many years---fake it 'til you make it. There are many reasons why this isn't always the best plan. Judges aren't blind, and they can tell when what you're doing isn't exactly syllabus. If you're really hoping to make it to the top, fudging footwork isn't the best way to do so. But I would say that the benefits absolutely outweigh the cost. Force yourself to smile. Create a facade for yourself that screams, "I know what I am doing, and I'm having a ridiculous amount of fun doing it." Smirk a little, steal a glance at your partner if you can manage it. Pretend that you are the most confident person on the floor, and that you don't care if anyone else is watching. Yes, the attention may be all on you because rhinestones are hard to ignore, but you have to pretend that you love it. A good portion of ballroom is like being in a musical---you want to be on the beat and play the character you were cast as. It's as difficult as listening to the song presented to you and playing along with the tone it sets.

One of the best things about dancing with someone else is that you have someone by your side who is often just as terrified. Commiserating about your fears can often help ease them, especially if you and your partner are prone to nervous breakdowns. If you both make a mistake, don't show it---laugh instead, move on to other things. Being there to support each other can provide you with a little bubble: yes, we are dancing in front of all of these judgmental people, but we are dancing for each other more than we are for them.

So why exactly am I telling you to lie to yourself? The simple answer is because it works. I am a proud user of the fake-it-'til-you-make-it method, and I can tell you that it is 100% effective. Pretending that I didn't care about the eyes focused on me helped my face-twitching decrease considerably, and if that's not a significant improvement, I don't know what is. I was less nervous for competitions despite my inexperience, and I found that I could enjoy myself while being scrutinized if I pretended I was the happiest dancer on the floor. Faking it may not be an effective method for the elites out there, but for newer recruits such as myself, I can vouch for its effectiveness. After all, if you pretend to be what you want to become, it’s quite possible you might get there.