The sixth-grade talent show was not one of my finer moments. Forty-six eyes assessed my audition. I belted out “…Go tell it on the mountains over the hills and everywhere…,” Mr. Richards smiled warmly. “Lindsay, when you’re on the stage and you notice the audience getting noisy, sing louder,” he said. It was good advice, at least that’s what I thought then. I wore my two-toned, pink ruffled dress to improve my confidence. Even then I knew the effect pink has on people.
A month of rehearsals later, the school auditorium was brimming with chatter and expectation. From behind the curtain, in a loud voice I heard, “Up next is Lindsay Brown. Give Lindsay a hand.” I shook a little inside and glanced at the audience. What an odd couple we were.
I wore my two-toned, pink ruffled dress to improve my confidence.
That dress was an emblem to remind me that I was safe. Do you have an emblem? Perhaps, a cap, button, U.S. flag pin, a cross necklace, belt buckle, shoes, or something else that anchors you. Back to our story, I scanned the audience to see if I knew anyone. I was looking for a familiar face. While singing, I heard other voices beginning to compete with mine. I sang on. Some audience members shifted their bodies to make eye contact because that’s what you do when you’re having a conversation.
A bit miffed, I sang louder. They snapped to as if Celine Dion walked on the stage. Lessons learned from my sixth grade singing experience influence me even today.
Things I learned:
- Getting louder is effective if the sound system isn’t working.
- Loudness is not the remedy for an inattentive audience; interesting relevant content will maintain audience attention.
- Know your audience; don’t sing a Pollyanna song to a rock ‘n’ roll audience.
- How you dress impacts how you feel.
- Your confidence must come from within.
- Always have in your back pocket a tool, technique, or trick (juggling eggs, kidding) to bring the audience back should they wander away.
- Connect with people; don’t just scan the room.
Do I still sing publicly, no. Not out of fear. Mainly out of not being a good singer. I accept that I am a speaker. You’re a speaker too. Your audience is those at home, at school, or at work. Should you feel that internal shake when you’re about the take your stage, shake it off. Don’t let the thought of speaking in public punk you. Punk the stage! Punk speaking! Your audience wants to hear YOU!