Performance Perspectives

A perspectives blog written about the performance aspect of the Up with People program

Written by: Allison Hall

Before I came to Up with People, I knew that I probably wouldn’t like doing the show, but it was something that I was willing to try and maybe I would learn to enjoy it.  I had no previous experience in performing, except the Harriet Tubman play in 5^th grade, which didn’t go so well for me.

During staging, it was very hard because it was so much of the show. It was dancing and singing… all the time. The first show was exciting because, well it was our first show. After that, the show and rehearsals just became a pain.  All I was doing in the show was bringing the microphone for the soloist. I shouldn’t be complaining about it because I definitely can’t sing or dance, so I am glad there are those people that do like and are good at it. I tried to make the mic moving fun.

When we were at Forest Homes Camp in California, we had ‘expression session’ where we could show the cast our talents. Usually I would have never even thought about doing anything, but this time I pushed myself to do something even though I don’t have any performing talents.  I sang a song and attempted to ‘play’ the guitar.  It wasn’t a serious song or anything and it was just for fun but after it was done, I was so proud of myself for doing it! Being in the show and being in front of an audience so many times helped me gain confidence in myself to do something like that.

Written by: Breton Shepherd

For me, music and performance is something that I’ve grown up with and known from a young age.  I’ve participated in various choirs, taken private lessons, performed in instrumental ensembles in high school and was so much of a part of my life I even studied music in college.  One of my biggest passions in life is to play music and to perform.  I’ve played drums in the Up with People show for the last year.  No matter how many shows I’ve played in, I still get the sense of excitement as if it’s still the first one.

At the end of the semester I will be returning to Nebraska Wesleyan University to finish my last year of studies in Communication.  I think my background prior to coming to Up with People has helped me to shape a different perspective on what I think the show means and how it can be applied to the Up with People experience.

No matter your experience in performance before the Up with People program, I believe that most of us are already experienced performers to varying degrees.  I look at it as we go about our everyday lives performing.  For me, performing isn’t a word that is limited to doing a show or involving music.  Performing is something we do on a normal everyday basis.  It’s the way we present ourselves in front of people, whether that be at a job interview, a meeting or just casual conversation, it’s how we communicate to other people.  Just like critics who critique and rate shows, people are always judging our performance as we carry out our lives.  In that way, I see performing as something we just do.

The cool thing about the Up with People program is that the show aspect gives students the opportunity to practice those skills.  Whether or not you gain musical skills at the end of the 5 months, I think the most important thing that a student can take away is the skills to be able to stand on stage in front of 500 to 3000 people and present themselves with confidence.  I truly believe that the participants in the program will have a huge step up on others when applying for jobs and in other aspects of their social lives because they have the confidence and ability to stand in front of all those people and perform, whatever that may performance may be.  No matter if you have a solo or you rock it night after night doing cast movement, I think the most important things are the skills you’ve gained from doing something that you may or may not ever have felt comfortable doing.

The show is an amazing thing and a powerful tool in the Up with People experience.  For those who do dance, and sing and play instruments it helps develop musicianship skills, vocal ability, dancing and the list goes on.  But more so, for everyone on stage and specifically the people who come to Up with People for reasons other than the show, it helps build confidence, helps make you comfortable on a stage in front of crowds of people and helps develops some of the most important life skills that will take you greater places in your life.

Advertisement