Whenever I’m cast in a solo role, I’m consumed with thoughts of everything that could go wrong. Please help. —Isabella, Philadelphia, PA Raising the stakes with “what ifs” only heightens your anxiety. Your insecurity may stem from a lack of stage experience or low self-confidence. The first can be overcome by putting in extra rehearsal […]

The range of emotions dancers feel during performances can run the gambit from calm transcendental elation to complete dread. If you’re the shaking and sweating sort, there’s good news for you: Those performance jitters don’t have to be a bad thing. Dr. John Raglin, a professor of kinesiology at Indiana University whose work examines the […]

You’re standing backstage, and your mind won’t stop racing. What if, after weeks of rehearsal, you suddenly forget the choreography? What if that terrible critic gives you yet another embarrassing review? Did you remember to sew your pointe shoes correctly? Why won’t your partner stop cracking his darn hip joint? Why can’t you stop freaking […]