It was wonderful recently to attend the annual showcase for the Strathclyde University Dance Club.
I was there to watch my daughter perform, and the event did not disappoint. From start to finish, it was excellent.
Aside from the dancing, there was a valuable lesson about presentation fundamentals.
Two of the main office-bearers from the previous year were asked to facilitate the event as hosts, introducing around 25 dance acts – including hip-hop, ballet, jazz and tap.
It is not an easy job. The audience is primarily there to watch the dancers.
In that context, both facilitators were superb.
There are two lessons worth taking into any presentation.
Engage the audience
The hosts made a conscious effort to involve the audience at the right moments.
They stepped into the crowd and asked simple questions:
“Who are you here to watch?”
“What was your favourite dance so far?”
“Which dance had the best costumes?”
They chose people who looked keen to respond – and it worked extremely well.
They also got the audience reciting a Strathclyde dance chant (brrrr, it’s cold in here) and clapping and stomping along to We Will Rock You.
Get the presentation fundamentals right
When you strip everything back, two elements matter most:
- You need something valuable to say
- You need a strong desire to say it
The facilitators had clearly prepared – they knew the backstory behind each dance and shared useful context.
They also brought genuine energy. When an act finished, they offered authentic praise, and their enthusiasm for the next performance was obvious.
That energy was contagious.
Because the fundamentals were so strong, the audience didn’t mind the occasional missed cue or imperfect transition.
Strong presentation fundamentals make everything else easier.
Conclusion
Engage your audience at the right moments.
Get the basics right.
When you do both, small imperfections no longer matter.
Looking for more helpful presentation tips – why not check out the following article on how layout, spacing, and crowd flow can shape audience engagement.
