
From Stage Fright to Spotlight: How Performing Arts Make You a Perseverance Machine
Building resilience through performance and practice

Jena Minnick-Bull
Dance Director
Think being a dancer, aerialist, or actor is all glitz and glam? Think again! While the final performance might look effortless, the journey there is paved with practice, sweat, and a whole lot of perseverance.
Here's how the performing arts turn you into a master of "never give up":
Maximizing Your Body's Potential
Whether it's nailing that pirouette or mastering a challenging vocal solo, the performing arts push your physical limits. You'll learn to stretch your frustration (and maybe your hamstrings) along the way, but the satisfaction of finally getting it right? Pure magic.
Befriending Repetition (It's Not So Scary!)
Practice makes progress (not perfect!), and the performing arts are all about practice. You'll repeat steps, lines, and scales until they become second nature. Sure, it can feel like a drill sergeant is in your head sometimes, but that persistence pays off in spades when you deliver a flawless performance.
Turning Feedback into Fuel
Constructive criticism? More like constructive rocket fuel! Learning to take feedback and use it to improve is a major skill the performing arts teach. It might sting at first, but it's what helps you transform from good to great (or even Tony Award-worthy!).
Taming the Stage Fright Beast
The spotlight can be terrifying. But guess what? Performers learn to manage those pre-show jitters and deliver a show-stopping performance anyway. That ability to face your fears and rise to the occasion translates into conquering any challenge that life throws your way.
Building Confidence, One Applause at a Time
The roar of the crowd after a successful performance is the ultimate high five for your perseverance. The more you push through challenges and deliver, the more your confidence soars. And let's face it, a healthy dose of confidence goes a long way in all aspects of life.
So, the next time you see a performer on stage, remember the countless hours of perseverance that went into that moment. The performing arts aren't just about entertainment; they're a bootcamp for building resilience and becoming a champion of "never giving up." Now that's something worth a standing ovation!
Laguna Niguel, CA