I am an introvert, and a performer.
The subject of introversion has always fascinated me – it’s often conflated with shyness, but, while both traits are often found together, they are not the same thing. I was very shy as a child, but I would not describe myself as shy at this point in my life. And yet, I am an introvert.
When I began performing, I struggled with this idea. “Everyone knows” that performers are extroverts – would being an introvert hold me back? Was it an insurmountable obstacle? I love to perform – how was that possible if performing was extroverted in nature? I became determined to see the advantages of being an introvert, to figure out ways to leverage my introverted nature to be an asset to me as a performer.
Along the way I chatted with some of my dancer friends about these ideas, and discovered that several of them, even the most dynamic, compelling onstage presences, self-identified as introverts. And they had fascinating ideas on the subject. Thus the seed was planted…
I’m delighted to announce the Introverted Performer Project, a guest-post series about being both an introvert and a performer. It’s my hope that this series will make us more visible to each other, and provide some inspiration about how to find and use the advantages of being an introvert in a performance career. If nothing else, it should provide some fantastic conversations.
Stay tuned.
What a great project! People think I’m joking when I tell them I love to dance but I don’t like people looking at me. I am more at ease dancing with my troupe (the Crescent Dancers) and especially my snake Chloe because she is the star and I’m just her sidekick. I LOVE to dance and had to overcome stage fright because, honestly, I had to perform to justify buying costumes. Looking forward to hearing from others on this topic.
What a brilliant idea! I’m also an introvert, and have sometimes worried that this would hold me back in my dance career. Ironically, at the moment I actually find performing much easier than I do talking to people at normal social events. I actually wrote a post about this a while ago, if you don’t mind me sharing – http://rashabellydance.co.uk/2013/05/03/the-performers-paradox-introverts-on-stage/
I’d also love to write a guest post for your project, if you were interested 🙂
Rasha – Your link echoes some of my own thoughts on the subject. I would love to have you write a guest post! I’ll send you an email with details.
This is a great idea for a series! I’m an introvert and I feel like my bellydance life has been the solution to my social anxiety. I’d love to write a guest post for you if you’d be interested!