Preparing Kids for the Spotlight

Preparing Kids for the Spotlight

Confidence-Building Tips for Young Performers

It’s showtime season! Drive around your city in February and March and you’ll be hard pressed to find a school marquee without a show title on display. ‘Tis the season when months of rehearsals culminate in curtain calls, backstage buzz, and students' nerves in a bundle. Stepping onto the stage, some for the first time, can be exhilarating and nerve-wracking; exciting and bladder-inspiring. Running lines and rehearsing choreo can only go as far as a child’s confidence will take them. For teachers and parents, that means preparing students for their big moment on stage by teaching them confidence-boosting, fear-conquering, and mind-calming techniques that ensure they feel supported and ready to shine.

Drawing inspiration from Samantha Gratton’s article, “Being Confident on Stage: Preparing Your Kids for a Performance”, this guide will share practical, research-backed strategies to support your students as they prepare for their big moment. From fostering a supportive environment to encouraging healthy habits, here’s how you can help your students shine on stage.

 

 

Start Small: Building Confidence Step by Step

Not every student is ready to step into the spotlight immediately. Some may feel more comfortable taking on smaller roles or contributing behind the scenes before taking on more prominent positions.

Meet kids where they are. If you are doing a whole-class performance, allow every student to progress at their own pace. 

Ease shy or new-to-theater students into performing the following roles:

  • Prop, costume, and set design. 

  • Prop managers.

  • Chorus/ensemble roles.


 

 

Put The JOY Into Performing

Before the pressure of a performance can build into full-on stage fright, it’s important to remind students why they’re participating. Is it because they love singing? Acting? Dancing? Or because they enjoy making others laugh or feel inspired? Focusing on the joy of the art form itself can help ease performance anxiety. Try this: 

Empower Creative Choices

Give students some control over their roles. Allow them to suggest costume ideas, experiment with their character, or adjust blocking. Feeling ownership over their role boosts confidence.

Play-Based Rehearsals

Turn rehearsals into fun, interactive sessions. Use games like "freeze acting" or improvisation to help children explore their roles. Keeping things light reduces pressure and builds familiarity with the material.


 

 

Help Kids Conquer Their Nerves

Feeling nervous before a performance is completely normal. Teach your students that even professional actors and musicians experience butterflies before going on stage. The key is to channel that nervous energy into enthusiasm and master calming strategies before the big day.

Encourage Healthy Habits on Performance Day

On the day of the big event, encourage students to prioritize self-care. Ensure they get plenty of rest the night before, eat balanced meals, and stay hydrated. Gentle movement or stretches before the performance can help calm nerves and get their energy flowing. Send home a few links to yoga videos they can try at home.

Calming Rituals

Breathing exercises are another excellent tool. Teach students to take deep, slow breaths in through their nose and out through their mouth to steady their heartbeat and reduce anxiety. These habits not only help them feel more confident but also improve their focus and performance quality. Introduce simple breathing exercises, like “smell the flower, blow out the candle,” to help kids calm their nerves. Encourage them to visualize themselves on stage, smiling and enjoying the applause.

Reframe Nervousness as Excitement

As Jacqueline Russell advises, frame nervous anticipation as a positive thing—it’s a sign that they care about doing their best. Visualization techniques or physical warm-ups can also help students relax and focus.

Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

Children often fear making mistakes on stage. Help them understand that slip-ups are a natural part of performing and that the audience is there to support them, not judge them. Celebrate their courage and effort, regardless of the outcome.

After the performance, take time to reflect as a group. Encourage students to share what they enjoyed about the experience and what they learned. Reassure students that mistakes are part of the process. Use phrases like, “Even professionals mess up—it’s how we learn!” to help them feel safe and supported. Recognizing their progress builds resilience and a growth mindset.

 

 

Practice, Practice, Practice

Confidence grows with preparation. And how do you prepare for a performance? You memorize! Lines, blocking, choreography…your mind and your muscles have a LOT to remember. Beyond your regular rehearsals, arm families with a few powerful, easy-to-execute strategies to help their performers effectively prepare at home. Memorizing lines can feel daunting for children, especially those new to performing. However, making the process engaging and manageable can transform it from a chore to a fun challenge. Here are some practical strategies for teachers and families to help students memorize their lines effectively:

1. Turn Line Practice Into a Matching Game
Create a fun, interactive game by writing cue lines on one set of index cards and their corresponding lines on another. The goal is for students to match the cue line to their actual line, helping them not only memorize their part but also recognize when it’s their turn to speak. This approach strengthens their understanding of the flow of dialogue and builds confidence in responding to others on stage.

For added engagement, parents or siblings can “play” the game with them at home. You might also turn this into a group activity during rehearsals, encouraging peer collaboration while making practice more entertaining.

2. Combine Practice with Movement and Rest
Studies show that combining physical activity with mental work can improve memory retention. Encourage students to go for a walk while practicing their lines. Walking and speaking aloud can activate different parts of the brain, making it easier to recall information.

After a practice session, suggest they take a short cat nap or quiet rest period. Sleep, even in short bursts, plays a crucial role in consolidating memory. This combination of activity and rest helps reinforce learning and reduces frustration during the memorization process.

3. Use Repetition with a Twist
Repetition is key when memorizing lines, but varying how repetition is done can make it more effective. Here are a few ideas:

  • Record and Listen: Have students record themselves saying their lines and play the recording back during downtime, like car rides or before bed.

  • Speak with Emotion: Encourage them to practice saying their lines with different emotions (e.g., happy, angry, sad). This not only makes practice more fun but also helps them connect with the emotions behind their character.

  • Chunk the Lines: Break the script into smaller sections and focus on one part at a time. Once they’ve mastered one chunk, move to the next and gradually piece it together.

4. Practice in the Performance Space
Whenever possible, have students rehearse their lines in the same space where they’ll perform. Associating the lines with the physical environment can create stronger memory cues, making it easier for them to recall their lines during the actual performance.

5. Involve the Family
Encourage families to get involved in line practice. For example, parents can read the cue lines while the child responds with their lines. This not only helps with memorization but also gives children the chance to practice projecting their voices and speaking with confidence in front of others. Make musical tracks accessible to parents so they can play and have kids sing along at home or on car rides. 

By incorporating these strategies, children will feel more prepared and confident in their ability to deliver their lines, easing their nerves as the performance approaches.


The Role of Teachers in Building Lifelong Confidence

Performing on stage is about so much more than singing, acting, or dancing. It’s about teaching children to embrace challenges, work collaboratively, and express themselves creatively. These skills will serve them well not just in the arts but in every aspect of their lives.

Your encouragement, patience, and belief in their abilities can make all the difference. By implementing these confidence-boosting strategies, you’ll help your students see themselves as capable, courageous performers who are ready to take on any stage.

At Booksicals, we’re proud to support teachers in bringing creativity and confidence to the classroom through theater arts. Explore our Literacy & The Arts Kits to discover how you can make performances even more engaging, educational, and fun for your students.

Visit Booksicals.com to learn more and inspire your young performers today!

 

 

FAQs

How can I help a very shy student participate in a school play?
Start with smaller roles or backstage responsibilities to help them feel included. Gradually encourage them to try roles that align with their comfort level.

What if a student refuses to perform on stage?
Respect their feelings and allow them to contribute in other ways, such as set design or sound production. Participation in any form can build confidence over time.

How do I encourage students to practice more at home?
Suggest fun ways to rehearse, like performing for family members or recording themselves to see their progress.

What’s the best way to address stage fright?
Acknowledge their nervousness and teach techniques like deep breathing or visualization. Reassure them that nerves are normal and can even enhance their performance.

Can parents help with performance anxiety?
Yes, parents can practice lines or songs with their children, attend dress rehearsals, and provide plenty of encouragement leading up to the performance.

Why is performing in a Booksical beneficial for children?
Booksicals provide a low-pressure way for kids to engage with storytelling and performance, making it an excellent option for building confidence.

 

 

Source: “Being Confident on Stage: Preparing Your Kids for a Performance” by Samantha Gratton 

 

Back to blog