Super quick slick reading tricks!
An acquaintance reached out to me last month to say that she was doing her first ever reading, and did I have any tips? I did! Then it occurred to me that it might be helpful to post them for others who are starting out.
I remember, not my first reading, but a reading I did early in my tenure as a poet, where I was so nervous that I wasn’t inhaling. My voice was getting creakier, panic was setting in, and I was so self-conscious and nervous about my self-consciousness and nervousness that I nearly passed out before I finished my poems.
That was nearly twenty years ago, and I’m now complimented and told I’m a beautiful reader. Practice absolutely makes perfect, so I’ve certainly gotten better due repetition, but I’ve also incorporated some principles that I think anyone could learn from. Ergo:
My reading/performance tips:
Posture. Stand up straight, and be confident. Even if you’re nervous, stand tall and proud. The confidence will follow your body’s cues.
Reading is a performance. It doesn’t have to be overly dramatic or acted out, but in performing your work you are endeavoring to give life to it for an audience. It should be a different experience for them than they’d get from reading your words on their own.
Particularly if you’re performing poetry, you might not read it exactly as it sits on the page. It’s helpful to spend time practicing and figuring out the tongue twisters in the safety of your bedroom or living room before you go onstage. Do you know the parts where you’ll need to take a breath? You could write “breathe” on your reading copy to remind you when to breathe (or add a symbol if you’re reading from your phone).
Speak slower than you think you need to. Most people read too fast when they’re starting out, and time feels different on the stage. Practice your reading at home ahead of time so you can know how long your material will take, and so you can stay within your allotted time.
It’s always better to stop a bit short and leave them wanting more than to be the person who goes on too long and cuts into everyone else’s reading time. If you’ve not had a chance to time your practice, bring your phone up with you and set a timer.
Make sure you’re breathing into your belly rather than your chest so you have a nice big buckets of air to speak from. Don’t be afraid to take in a big gulp of air if you need it.
Look up now and again and make eye contact with the audience. Don’t be afraid to engage them.
Some people claim that they picture the audience naked as a method of conquering stage fright, but that’s never been my jam. Your mileage may vary. I prefer to think of them as my friends.
Enjoy yourself! Whatever tricks you have to be present and grounded in your body will help you be present in your performance.
Nervous energy beforehand is quite normal. You can use it to power your reading. Don’t panic if you feel nerves; it means you care.
Good luck. Love to hear your thoughts or additional tips!