How To Introduce A Performance On Stage 2024 [Tips & Tricks]

(Last Updated On: June 19, 2023)
A host introduce the next singer on stage.

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Most people do not know this, but the manner of introduction a performer receives is vital to their performance quality. Indeed, their introduction essentially sets the tone for their performance. Sadly, many hosts manage to overlook how important an entertainer’s introduction is and just ‘wing’ it.

But, the truth is there may be no better way to ruin a stage performer’s session than to mess up their introduction.

Thankfully, you don’t have to make that mistake ever again (if you’ve already done so). In this article, we’ll share some tips on the best way to introduce the best performance on stage. No doubt, with the insight you’ll gain from this blog post, setting the perfect mood for your performer with your introduction will be relatively straightforward.

That said, let’s jump right into it. Here are some tips on how to introduce a performance is the best way possible:

Tips and Techniques To Introduce and Welcome A performance or Performer Up On Stage

When presenting a performance live on stage, briefly thank the audience for coming and quickly introduce yourself before talking about the performer’s background, achievements, and what they’re about to perform. Introduce the artist, then bring them out on stage. Keep the intro short and sweet, fun and engaging, and avoid improper comments.

The performance introduction is a crucial aspect of every show. A well-executed opening can do wonders for the performance’s mood, the audience’s expectation level, and the connection between the artists and the audience. That’s why it’s crucial to master the art of opening a show.

In this article, we’ll share our best secrets for a captivating introduction that keeps your audience interested throughout your whole presentation. So let’s get started!

Learn about Your Performer

If you want to give your performer and audience an unforgettable good introduction, you need to do proper and thorough research about the performer’s work, achievements, and history. Imagine introducing Adele on stage without knowing she’s an Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy award-winning artist, which is extremely impressive and not something you want to skip mentioning.

You MUST do your homework before giving your speech in front of hundreds if not thousands of people. Go online and simply find their bio on Wikipedia, their official website, and social media accounts. Read as much as you can and absorb all the important points and impressive info about the artist. Check out some of their performances, read up on their history, and triple-check your facts before committing anything to paper. You don’t want to be introducing your performer using outdated or wrong information, leaving both your artist and the audience confused.

If you have the opportunity to speak with the artist, feel free to ask them all the questions you may have to ensure that all your information is accurate. If you can’t get in touch with the artist and have doubts about certain information, it’s best to scrap them and go with something else. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Ask for a Written Introduction from the Performer or Singer, If You Can

It’s a no-brainer that you can’t introduce a person you do not know. Besides, even if you do, chances are the performer knows the most appealing way to introduce themselves. Indeed, they may want information about their skills, qualifications, and achievements to feature in their good introduction. So, why not ask them what they’d like?

It is usually best to ask a performing artist for a written introduction of themselves. This way, when they get on stage, they don’t have to struggle for their audience’s attention due to a lousy introduction, or worse, none at all.

Besides, having a written introduction means you don’t have to scramble around for the right thing to say. Also, the entertainer knows what to expect and prepares to take it from there.

However, here is something you should note. If your performer does provide a written introduction of themselves, read it precisely as they give you. Understandably, there is always a temptation to ‘put your spin on it.’ Try to resist this temptation. If it’s what the entertainer wants, then try to oblige.

Doing this not only shows that you respect them as artists, but you also contribute to making their best performance as smooth as possible!

Write Down the Introduction

After you have researched the artist thoroughly, write it all down on a piece of paper, and practice delivering it. Rather than winging it and cramming all the info in your head, it’s always better to have a written introduction prepared.

Writing it down can help you organize your ideas and ensure you cover everything you want to say about the artist. You won’t have to worry about losing your train of thought or fumbling over your words while you’re up there on stage.

If you forget at any point, the written introduction is right there for you to read and help you get back on track. Remember that even if you think you have your speech memorized well, the pressure of delivering it in front of a live audience might cause you to forget it, no matter how confident you were beforehand. So make sure you have the introduction ready at all times.

It’s also best to practice the introduction ahead of time so that you are familiar with the content and can deliver it fluently and confidently. By doing so, you can ensure that your on-stage presentation is flawless.

Read James Mann’s article on what to wear on stage when singing.

Confirm Unfamiliar Pronunciations

Nobody can claim to know everything. But, what we can do is find out the things we do not know.

Look up any names (of people or places) in the performer’s introduction that you are unfamiliar with or are unsure of how to pronounce. You could either use Google to help you or watch YouTube videos that show you how to pronounce certain words.

This way, you won’t have to worry about disappointing (or embarrassing) any performers (and yourself) who were expecting to hear a perfect introduction.

Study Your Audience

Your audience plays a crucial role in determining how you introduce a performer on stage. If the audience contains proud, excited parents, you’d want to steer your introductions in the direction of things they’d like to hear about their kids.

If the kids make up the general audience population, you must ensure your introduction captures their attention by using simple and fun words that are easy to understand. If scouts are in the audience, you’d want to drop impressive facts about the artist and bits of information that could spark their interest.

Therefore, before you decide how to introduce a performer on stage, think about who you’ll be speaking to and tailor your words accordingly.

Welcoming The Performer On Stage

After introducing your performer, the next step is to welcome them on stage.

It’s crucial to greet the artist with warmth and excitement when they first time the stage or the first performance. Something as basic as “Please give it up for [performer’s name]!” might do the trick. This should let your audience know that they should be ready to enjoy the show. You can also try to get the audience riled up by inviting them to clap or sing along during the performance.

Now that the spotlight is on the performer, you can finally sit back and enjoy the show.

You can also visit Become Singers article on How to Sing When Nervous.

Let the Performer Take It From You

Finally, after introducing your performer, you want to ensure that they can come up on stage and seamlessly carry on the show. An excellent way to do is to be ready for your audience’s reaction to your introduction.

Sometimes, they applause thunderous while other times the reception is less than enthusiastic.

If the applause is relatively silent, quickly move on and introduce what the performer will be doing and let them come on stage.

However, here’s something you should always keep in mind – once your performer gets on stage, they are in charge already. Let them do or say their important thing!


Common Mistakes to Avoid While Introducing a Performance on Stage

Now that you have some insight into how to introduce a performance on stage, let us examine three critical errors you should try to avoid.

Do Not Make Your Introduction Too Casual

Naturally, cracking a joke or two is a useful tool that lightens the mood before a performer comes on stage. However, moderation is key.

You see, having a great introduction not only helps the audience get ready for the show but also boosts your entertainer’s confidence, which is why you should avoid making inappropriate jokes when introducing the performer (especially at their expense) and using inappropriate language. This can make the audience and performer uncomfortable and reflect poorly on you as the host.

If you are a singer then you can visit this guide to get over stage fright while singing.

Never Make Jokes at the Expense of the Performer

Good-nature ribbing and jokes can be so fun in a classroom or similar environment. But, if you are introducing a performance, try not to crack jokes at your performer’s expense.

Otherwise, your audience may not take your performer seriously. Or worse, you may demoralize the entertainer before they get on stage.

Avoid Rambling

When introducing a performance on stage, it’s crucial to be well-prepared and to keep it brief. You don’t want to drag out your introduction and start going off-topic and rambling about unnecessary facts that’ll only bore your audience and distract them from the upcoming performance.

If you normally have a hard time staying focused, cue cards can help you stay on track so that you can give your full attention to the artist and their performance. A quick but engaging introduction can do wonders for setting the stage for a fantastic show.

Improper Body Language

When introducing an act on stage, it’s not just about what you say but also how you say it and how you carry yourself. When a performer uses poor body language, not only does it give a bad impression to the audience, but it can also make the performer feel awkward.

To avoid improper body language while introducing a stage performance, be conscious of your posture, gestures, and movements to avoid sending the wrong message.

Keep your chin up and shoulders back to project an open, inviting vibe. You can use hand gestures while talking but don’t overdo it, as it can be a bit distracting for the audience. Focus on the crowd, try to keep your cool, and always remember to smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should my introduction be scripted or spontaneous when introducing someone on stage?

Intros can be planned out in advance or left to the whim of the presenter. Although spontaneous introductions might have more of a genuine, natural vibe, scripted ones guarantee a clean and crisp delivery. They could even work better when used together, you can prepare an introduction in advance and then throw in some extra jokes on stage.

How long should a performance introduction last?

It's important to tailor the introduction time to the type of event you're presenting at. The standard length for an introduction is no more than 10-20 seconds. Although a longer introduction might be needed if that's what the artist or event organisers are asking for. In that case, anything from 30 seconds to one minute is OK.

If something goes wrong during the show's introduction or performance, how do I handle it?

If something unexpected happens during a show, it's important to stay calm and professional. Keep your cool and engage with the audience to divert their attention from whatever is going wrong. You can even joke about the mishap and keep a positive attitude until a solution is found.

Conclusion

To sum up, creating an unforgettable performance starts with a captivating introduction, which can be achieved by learning about your performer, staying calm under pressure, and keeping the audience engaged. There’s a certain skill required to introduce a performance on stage that is a bit tricky since it calls for both meticulous planning and spontaneous creativity. For those who are truly skilled, though, the stage can come to life, and you can transport the audience to another place and time.

Remember to be confident and keep smiling (even if mishaps happen), and we guarantee that the crowd will be impressed with your captivating introduction. We hope that we’ve answered all your questions today, and we promise that if you take our recommendations to heart, you’ll do great!

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