Your school may host an annual talent show and you are determined to win it, or you may have been tricked into showing up at the summer camp talent show and not sure if you win. Your victory will depend on several factors, including your ability to present yourself, the uniqueness of your act, and the quality of the other artists competing with you on the talent show.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Create a Winning Act
Step 1. Take a unique skill or ability that you have and improve it
Use a unique skill or ability that you have and make it look more impressive. You can have great drumming skills, an excellent voice, or the ability to make complicated balloon animals. Then you can take your skill to the next level by adding a surprising or interesting item. Think of some creative ways to impress the judges with your talent and show them how well you can do it, even in the least ideal circumstances.
- You can recruit your friends to perform with you and create an act where they will play drums together on stage. Similarly, you can ask your friends to play some instruments to be your backup band for your singing performance. Then you can create band-like synchronized movements to perform together during the act.
- If you have a more specialized talent, like making balloon animals or juggling, you can add an element of difficulty that the judges will find impressive. This could be making one large balloon animal within a certain time or making several while riding a unicycle or running on a treadmill.
Step 2. Consider your strengths as an artist
You must demonstrate your strengths as an artist when creating your act. This will help you feel more comfortable when you introduce yourself and feel more confident. You will also have to work hard when considering your strengths as this can help hide your weaknesses as an artist.
- Come up with a unique costume that relates to your act if you are more comfortable with one when performing in front of people. You can wear an updated clown costume for your juggling act or a great glamorous outfit for your jazz singing performance with a band. Think about how you can use the costume as a way to feel comfortable and confident on stage.
- You can be comfortable when you move and dance on stage, instead of staying in one place. Integrate it into your act where you do a coordinated dance with the other people in your act or make it fit into your act if you are on stage alone.
Step 3. Include some accessories for the stage
These can be as simple as a microphone stand or as complex as confetti falling from the rafters of the theater. Think of ways you can use stage props to enhance your performance. You can use an umbrella in your dance act to add an element of originality and surprise. You can integrate the microphone stand into your balloon animal act.
Confetti, balloons, pyrotechnics, and lasers can be expensive and complicated to pack. If you have the budget and time to integrate them, do so as long as they fit your act and are not just used to fill time or space on stage. Avoid depending on these to hide your lack of talent. This should always stand out
Step 4. Get the audience involved in your act
Audience participation is always a good thing in a presentation. Often times, engaging your audience will help to make them like you and impress the judges. Think of ways to get your audience involved. This may mean asking someone in the audience to take part in your act or having the audience snap their fingers or clap at your presentation.
Part 2 of 3: Perfecting Your Act
Step 1. Use attractive body language
Draw in the crowd and the judges by using your body language that is engaging and fun to watch. This means making eye contact with the audience, smiling at them, and putting your body into the presentation. Use extensive gestures and movements if you do a dance routine or perform with a band. Show energy and enthusiasm for your audience as this will make them more interested during your act.
Step 2. Pay attention to your facial expressions
Facial expressions are essential in a performance, especially if you are a singer or a dancer. Practice a receptive expression by keeping your eyes open as you introduce yourself. Raise your eyebrows slightly when you hit a high note or hold a dance move. Keep your mouth relaxed and open. Smile at the end of your presentation to show your audience that you are happy with your presentation and the audience will smile too.
Step 3. Practice in front of a mirror
Remember that you present yourself for an audience that will notice every move you make. Be mindful of how you look when you present yourself by practicing your presentation in front of a mirror. It can be a full-length mirror in your room or a mirror in a dance studio or practice space.
Step 4. Make a test presentation for a group of family and friends
Avoid the nerves of introducing yourself by auditioning it in front of a receptive and friendly audience of family and friends. Set up a fake stage and some seats in your living room. Try to pretend that you are in the auditorium where you will be performing at the talent show and give it your all. You should feel more comfortable and confident presenting yourself in front of your friends and family.
Step 5. Get some feedback on your presentation and improve your act
After introducing yourself to your family and friends, you should ask them to give you feedback on your presentation and listen to them patiently. They can give you some basic feedback, like projecting your voice more, holding a certain note, or making sure you recognize the crowd at the end of your act. Take these comments and use them to improve your act so that it is ready for the talent show.
Part 3 of 3: Present your act
Step 1. Be prepared on the day of the talent show
Calm your nerves before you show up by being prepared on the day of the talent show. This means having all your props ready for the stage, having your costume on hand, and making sure everyone in your band is present for the talent show. You can take some time after school to prepare for the show and pack a bag with the items you will need for your performance.
Step 2. Try to be last in the talent show
You already know that it is said that "The best is saved for last". Going out last can help you get an edge over the competition and calm your nerves, especially if you need time to get used to being around other artists and being on stage. It also allows you to create a lasting impression on the judges, one that will be fresh in their minds as they deliberate on the winners of the talent show.
Step 3. Observe your competition and adapt your act accordingly
Take some time to sit in the audience and observe your competition on the day of the talent show or during rehearsals for the talent show (if applicable). Notice if there are any acts that are similar to yours or that use an element similar to yours. You may have to adapt your act to make your version more interesting and entertaining. You really have to focus on standing out from your competition to win the talent show.
Step 4. Talk to yourself in a positive way
This is an internal dialogue that takes place in the background of your mind as you experience your day. Doing it on the day of the talent show can help you present yourself in your best condition and give you the confidence you need to wow the judges.
Get negative thoughts out of your mind and focus on speaking positively to yourself. This may mean not getting upset when you miss a step in practice or miss a beat. Instead, repeat to yourself, "No problem, it's just practice. I have time to get better at this." Similarly, you can speak to yourself in a positive way as you present yourself to the judges. Remind yourself that you have worked hard to get to this point and that you are the best artist on stage. Repeat to yourself that you have all the skills and abilities to win
Step 5. Introduce yourself with passion and attitude
A big part of presenting yourself in your best condition is putting your passion and attitude in front of the judges and the audience. This means not being afraid to be sensitive during the presentation and being yourself when you introduce yourself. Doing so will increase your chances of winning on your terms.