Public speaking ... and dance?

[pygmalion]

Bear with me, guys. You know how I get when I've been googling. :oops: :lol:

I was just out on the web, looking for information on developing showmanship in ballroom dance, and I ran across a very nice web site which talked about how a particular studio helps its students to develop "presentation skills." Presentation skills? I immediately thought about the hours I've spent in Toastmasters meetings, and in other public speaking and communication courses through the years.

Question to you -- is public speaking a skill that comes in handy as a dancer? Does it matter as a social dancer, and is it different with dance performers or competitors? What do you think? Or does the term "presentation skills" mean something different in the context of dance?

[KevinL]

Question to you -- is public speaking a skill that comes in handy as a dancer?

Well, public speaking comes in handy for dance teachers. I used to have a stammer, but it rarely affects me anymore. Or, if it does I don't notice.

Does it matter as a social dancer, and is it different with dance performers or competitors? What do you think?

Would public speaking skills make a difference to a social dancer? I don't think so, unless you count getting over the fear of being in front of people. That is one of the biggest inhibitors of new dancers, they're afraid of looking bad in front of others.

Or does the term "presentation skills" mean something different in the context of dance?

I'm not certain, but in the context of dance I think "presentation skills" might mean how you walk on and off the floor, and how you carry yourself while on the floor.

Kevin

[Sagitta]

Question to you -- is public speaking a skill that comes in handy as a dancer? Does it matter as a social dancer, and is it different with dance performers or competitors? What do you think? Or does the term "presentation skills" mean something different in the context of dance?

As Kevin said, the fear of looking bad in front of other people. Public speaking helps with that for the social dancer.

I think that the public speaking lessons that concentrate on non-verbal communication would be really useful. I've heard that 60% of the communication between two people is done non-verbally. I can't remember where but I know the thought that there are many people who come into dance socially inept was brought up in df recently. This would really help those people out there.

[pygmalion]

Yes, Sagitta. I've heard numbers anywhere from 50% to 87% of all communication is non-verbal. And I believe it. I've done a fair bit of public speaking, and while the specifics of talking in front of others may not directly apply (often), certainly the ideas of creating presence in front of an audience, maintaining poise and composure, etc, do, IMHO.

And then, if you'er looking at competitive dancing, a lot more public speaking, in the form of networking, does happen. It might be nice to have that "ten second commercial" handy, and be able to deliver it well, if you're a serious dance competitor. Just something to think about.

[dancin_feet]

I am terrified of public speaking. Getting up and performing in front of an audience though, I have no problem at all. Also have found that teaching a small group is OK as well. Must be the fact that it is something that I love the overcomes the fear.

Once told a friend of mine that I could get up and do anything in front of a crowd, but don't ask me to open my mouth!

[Adwiz]

Does it matter as a social dancer, and is it different with dance performers or competitors? What do you think? Or does the term "presentation skills" mean something different in the context of dance?

My coach is always talking about presentation. He means how I present myself and my partner on the dance floor. From walking on to bowing at the end, it includes arm styling, connecting with the audience and similar stuff. It even touches on making yourself tall and elegant when walking as well as dancing.

During the competition this weekend, when I failed to make the finals in one event I was expecting to do well in, he said to me, "George, you dance very well, but you have to work on your presentation skills." He's right, this is a weak area for me.

[HothouseSalsero]

I would rather dance naked in front of a large audience than speak to even a small gathering.

Okay, that's an exaggeration, but you get the idea. I'm not even sure it is an exaggeration.

I think I might eventually take public speaking classes. (Why not now? Because other things take priority.) But as a social dancing salsero, I don't think learning more about that sort of presentation would matter to me.

[pygmalion]

Yup. They say that public speaking is the number one fear, even ahead of the fear of death. Honest -- not sure where I read that statistic, but I've seen it quite a few places.

Incidentally, what helped me get over that fear was two things -- one, doing a heck of a lot of it, and two -- realizing that I was already doing it, but just didn't realize it. Talking to a stranger in the grocery store, answering a question in class, participating in a meeting at work, are all public speaking, of a sort. Just another view.

I think that "presentation skills" as it applies to competitive/exhibition dance, is a much larger and different thing than giving a speech in front of an audience. But, having done both, I can see some commonality.

Anybody else? Or am I just nuts? (he he. Please be kind when you blast me. :lol: :lol: )