5 Tips for Improving Stage Presence – Part 2 Take Time Between Bows

Welcome back to our ongoing series of Improving Your Stage Presence. So far we’ve covered: Taking Your Time, Making Eye Contact, and Not Showing Your Mistakes. Today we are going to talk about something you don’t even do until after your performance – taking time between bows.

Now this is definitely related to the first subject (Taking Your Time) but it’s equally important. I have seen countless performances where the performer will simply pop up and down very quickly bowing – almost like a machine. It’s an awkward gesture when it is performed this way and makes the performer look robotic.

Really to understand why bowing is so important we must discuss why we bow in the first place. Sometimes when you teach youngsters how to bow they feel really uncomfortable – almost like it’s showing off. In reality, bowing is the exact opposite of showing off. Bowing is a way of thanking the audience for the applause. A bow is a humbling gesture to the audience that allows you to demonstrate your appreciation for them. It should never be considered an egotistical type of gesture.

It’s equally important to look at your audience between bows. Look into the eyes of the crowd, let them see you, and let you thank them for the applause and their attention. If you take your time it can be a great way to connect with your audience and leave a lasting impression. Remember, this is the last thing the audience will see when you are onstage – it’s after the performance – you should always leave them with a good impression of yourself.

Whatever you do, don’t continue to bow up and down repeatedly. It looks awkward and machine-like and it looks much better to simply take your time and make that personal connection with the audience between bows.

Thanks again for joining me Robert Estrin Robert@LivingPianos.com (949) 244-3729