Stage Persona Worksheet Stage Presence
Lesson 1: Non-Verbal Communication
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
The Walk Challenge
As your classmates walk across the "stage" area, observe their physical cues. What changes when they switch from "Terrified" to "Owning the Place"?
The "Terrified" Walk
Describe shoulders, eyes, and pace:
The "Confident" Walk
Describe shoulders, eyes, and pace:
The Performer's Checklist
1
The Entrance
Walk with purpose
Eyes up (Find the "Back Wall")
Stand at center stage
2
The Intro
State name & song clearly
Smile (Genuine connection)
Take a breath before starting
3
The Bow
Finish the song completely
Acknowledge applause
Hinge at the waist (Count to 2)
Spotting Nervous Ticks
Watch the performer on screen. What physical "ticks" do they have when they aren't singing?
Observations
Strategies to Fix
Pro Tip: Your audience wants you to succeed. They are your team!
Stage Presence Slides OWN THE STAGE
Mastering Presence & Etiquette
The Walk Challenge
How much can you say without speaking a word?
Round 1: The Haunted Hallway
Walk as if you are absolutely terrified to be seen.
Round 2: The Red Carpet
Walk as if the room is yours and you've already won.
Class Observation:
Presence is Physical
Verticality
Imagine a string pulling the top of your head to the ceiling. Stand tall, but keep shoulders relaxed.
The "Back Wall"
Don't look at the floor! Keep your eyes on the back wall or just above the audience's heads.
Grounding
Feet shoulder-width apart. Weight evenly distributed. No shifting or swaying!
The 3-Step Routine
01
The Approach
Walk to center stage with a smile. Don't rush!
02
The Introduction
"Hello, I'm [Name] and I'll be singing [Song Title]."
03
The Closing
Wait for silence, then bow. Wait for the applause to start before leaving.
Analyzing Performance
Observe a Professional Performer
Look for:
• How do they enter?
• Where are their hands?
• How do they bow?
Identify Ticks:
• Hair touching
• Shifting weight
• Looking down
Performance is 50% Vocal, 50% Visual
"If you look like a pro, the audience will believe you are a pro before you even sing a note."
Take the Stage with Confidence!
Folk Genre Slides FOLK STORYTELLERS
Vocal Authenticity & Tradition
The Comparison Test
Listen to these two singers side-by-side.
Singer A: The Pop Star
Heavy vibrato, "breathy" tones, technical acrobatics.
Singer B: The Folk Artist
Straight tone, steady volume, sounds like they are talking to you.
The Big Question:
Why does Singer B sound more "honest" or "authentic" even though they are doing "less"?
Vocal Quality: Straight Tone
No Vibrato
Vibrato is the "wobble" in a note. Folk singers often sing with a flat, steady stream of air.
Conversational
The goal isn't to sound "operatic." It's to sound like you're telling a secret to a friend.
"Sing as you Speak"
Keep the same mouth shape you use when talking to someone across the table.
The Oral Tradition
By Ear
Folk songs weren't written in books. They were passed down from parents to children through listening.
Story First
The melody stays simple so you can focus on the lyrics. The story is the star of the show.
Living Songs
Because they are passed by ear, folk songs change over time. Every singer adds a little of themselves.
Authenticity > Perfection
"In folk music, a crack in the voice or a plain tone is often more powerful than a 'perfect' note. We want to hear the person, not the singer."
Let's learn a story.
Folk Lyric Lab Worksheet Folk Lyric Lab
Focus: Storytelling & Straight Tone
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
The Water is Wide (Traditional)
The water is wide, I cannot get o'er
A ship there is and she sails the sea
O love is handsome and love is fine
Vocal Mission:
Circle 3 words you want to emphasize to make the story clearer. Draw a straight line over a long note where you will use **straight tone** (no vibrato).
The Story Analysis
What is the "problem" in the first verse?
What mood (emotion) does the singer feel?
How can you make your voice sound "plain" but "emotional"?
Folk Vocab
Oral Tradition: Passing songs down through listening and repeating rather than sheet music.
Straight Tone: Singing without vibrato (the "wobble"), creating a pure, direct sound.
Timbre: The specific "color" or quality of your voice (in folk, it's usually conversational).
Focus: Authenticity > Perfection Vocal Spotlight Sequence
Theater Genre Slides THEATER CHARACTER LAB
Heightened Reality & Acting through Song
The Character Remix
We are going to sing 'Happy Birthday', but as different archetypes.
Version 1: The Diabolical Villain
Darker tone, sharp consonants, mysterious smile.
Version 2: The Brave Hero
Bright, forward tone, wide eyes, chest out.
What changed?
Did the notes change? No. But the **story** did. That is Musical Theater.
Vocal Power: The "Call" Voice
Healthy Belting
Belting is NOT screaming. It is a sustained, focused "call" (like calling to a friend across the street).
Support is King
The power comes from your core and your breath, not your throat. Keep your neck loose!
"HEY TAXI!"
Try saying "Hey Taxi!" at a high volume. Feel where that energy comes from? That is your belt voice.
Acting with the Face
The Eyes
The audience looks at your eyes first. They must show the emotion before the note starts.
The Eyebrows
Eyebrows are the most expressive part of the face. Use them to show surprise, anger, or joy!
Articulation
In a big theater, consonants need to be extra crisp. "Spit" the words out so the back row hears you!
Song as Conversation
"In Musical Theater, we sing when the emotion becomes too big to just speak. The song is just a continuation of the character's thoughts."
Select your character!
Character Archetype Cards Character Archetype Cards
Acting Through Song Challenge
The Brave Hero
Physicality
Chest out, chin slightly up. Standing firmly in center stage. Eyes wide and bright.
Vocal Quality
Bright, forward resonance. Using your "Call" (Belt) voice for high notes. Strong consonants.
"The world is worth fighting for!"
The Diabolical Villain
Physicality
Slightly hunched or extremely rigid. Sharp, predatory movements. One-sided smirks.
Vocal Quality
Darker, "chewy" tone. Emphasized 'S' and 'T' sounds. Sudden changes in volume.
"Everything is going exactly to plan..."
The Comic Relief
Physicality
Animated, loose body. Big gestures. Using the whole stage. Frequent eye contact with audience.
Vocal Quality
Varied pitch. Character "quirks" in the voice (squeaks or slides). Very energetic breath.
"Wait for me! I've got a bad feeling about this!"
The Wise Mentor
Physicality
Calm, steady posture. Grounded feet. Gentle, supportive hand gestures. Direct gaze.
Vocal Quality
Warm, rich tone. Slower, deliberate pacing. Clear, meaningful phrasing. Breathy but supported.
"Listen closely. The answer is already within you."
Choose a card. Pick a line. Take the stage.
Performance Anxiety Slides CONQUERING NERVES
The Science & Psychology of Stage Fright
Why do we shake?
Stage fright isn't "all in your head." It's a chemical reaction called Adrenaline .
Fast Heartbeat
Sweaty Palms
Shaky Hands
Survival Instinct
Your body thinks the audience is a predator! It's preparing you to fight or run away. We just need to teach it to sing instead.
The Power of "I Am Excited"
Physiologically, Anxiety and Excitement look exactly the same to your body.
The Shift:
Don't say "I'm nervous."
Anxiety
"I'm going to fail."
Excitement
"My energy is ready!"
Grounding Exercises
Box Breathing
In for 4.
5-4-3-2-1
Find 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear...
Tense & Release
Tense your whole body for 5 seconds, then let it all go at once.
We Are Your Safety Net
"Performance is a conversation between the performer and the audience. If the audience is supportive, the performer can take risks."
Audience Promise:
"We will give our full attention, respect mistakes, and celebrate the courage of every singer."
Anxiety Toolkit Worksheet My Performance Toolkit
Focus: Resilience & Support
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
The Science of Shakes
Stage fright is caused by a chemical called Adrenaline . It's your body's "Fight or Flight" response.
What my body feels:
1. Heart beating _______________________
2. Hands feeling ________________________
3. Stomach feeling ______________________
The "Excitement" Reframe:
Instead of saying "I am nervous," write three times below: "I am excited!"
My Grounding Plan
Choose 2 techniques from class that you will use right before you walk on stage.
Box Breathing (4-4-4-4)
5-4-3-2-1 Technique
Positive Visualization
Muscle Tense & Release
Why I chose these:
Visualization
Close your eyes and imagine the final note of your song. Imagine the audience clapping. Write one word that describes how you want to feel in that moment:
The Audience Support Contract
"I promise to be the kind of audience member I would want for myself. I will give my full attention, refrain from whispering, and celebrate my classmates' courage—no matter what happens on stage."
Signed by Artist:
X _________________________________________________
Micro Performance Slides Finale The Finale
SHOWTIME
Micro-Performance Spotlight
Order of Operations
1
The Entrance
Walk with purpose. Find the back wall. Smile.
2
The Intro
Clear voice: "My name is... and I am singing..."
3
The Song
Apply your genre style. Act through the lyrics.
4
The Bow
Accept the applause. Hinge at the waist. Exit.
The "Glow & Grow" Rubric
The Glow
What was their superpower? Was it their posture? Their character voice? Their transition?
The Grow
What is one specific goal for their next performance? Maybe a clearer introduction or keeping eyes up.
"Be specific. Be kind. Be helpful."
It's Not About Perfection
"Perfection is boring. Presence is everything. If you make a mistake, stay in character, keep your eyes up, and the audience will stay right there with you."
The Stage is Yours!
Performance Feedback Rubric Performance Feedback
Glow & Grow Peer Rubric
Reviewer: __________________________
Artist:
____________________________
Song:
____________________________
Stage Etiquette
Purposeful Entrance
Clear Introduction
Confident Bow
Genre Technique
Did they use Folk (Straight tone) or Theater (Character) traits?
Not Yet
Developing
Mastered
Glow (Strength)
Grow (Goal)
Artist:
____________________________
Song:
____________________________
Stage Etiquette
Purposeful Entrance
Clear Introduction
Confident Bow
Genre Technique
Did they use Folk (Straight tone) or Theater (Character) traits?
Not Yet
Developing
Mastered
Glow (Strength)
Grow (Goal)
Remember: Feedback is a gift that helps us all become better artists.
