5 quick tips for engaging your audience!

Really if you want definitive Tease Tips, you need to follow Michelle L'amour. Her daily tips and occasional videos are the absolute bomb!

But for my ten cents worth, there's a lot of little things you can do to really engage with your audience. And hey, it is hard. When I started performing, I used to pick a point at the back of the room and look at it, because I was TERRIFIED. And many other habits.

Practice, practice, practice. 

There's no definitive timeline from when you transition from a "newbie" to a more experienced performer. Some performers go from one performance and make an easy transition into a really professional, seasoned performer (admittedly they usually have a heck of a lot of performance experience behind them). Others can take 3- 4 years before they really become accustomed to the stage. In Tassie this can be the case. We have a smaller audience pool, and fewer shows. So you can be performing for 3 years and only have 15 shows under your belt - hardly a well rounded experience.

The only way you get better is to practice. And in front of an audience. The more you do it, the easier it gets.

Smile

If your performance goal is to seduce or mesmerise your audience then forget the constipated pout face. It really does look like you need to do a shit. A warm smile is more engaging and inviting to your audience than a fake pout. So is being able to have a giggle if something doesn't go to plan. Humour is sexy. So is happiness and confidence. Looking like you fell out of a drain....not so much.

Look ‘em in the eyes

Look into the audience eyes. You might not quite be able to make everyone out. But try not to look above them or at the ground (rookie mistakes....we've all been there). Think of it like dating. You know when you meet someone that everything is in the eyes and the eye contact. If you can make someone feel like they are so important, it radiates across the room. Move your eye point around during your routine. The reason that burlesque can be exciting and amazing, is the interaction with performers. Isn't that the difference between sitting at the theatre in the dark, silently watching? We love feeding off the audience and vice versa. If you aren't engaging with them, you can't expect them to cheer for you, be on your team and get involved in your act. Practice makes perfect. It's hard. It can be intimidating but it will take your performance from 'meh' to 'wow' once you get there.

Don't Lip Sync

That should be self-explanatory? Right? Get that under control.

Use your eyes

The 'seduction' doesn't come from a fake trout pout. It comes from the eyes. Start communicating the intent of your act (whether it's a full fledged story, engaging with the song lyrics, or just letting someone know what's on your mind) through your eyes.  And I've found that once the eyes have it, the mouth will naturally follow. And practicing a cheeky wink. I still haven't quite mastered the subtle wink, and end up looking like I'm having an eye -spasm. See, we all live and learn!