Student Blog: Returning to Live Performance
As live performance returns to the stage so does that nervous feeling. However, maybe we need a little suspense.
Diners clang their glasses and devour their plates of food. Waiters weave through the crowds of people to take orders quickly. A stage sits at the front of the room, a woman tests the mic at the front. The show is about to begin.
This year I participated in an end-of-the-year final concert for my vocal teacher. The performance took place at the HardRock cafe in Pittsburgh where I sang a few musical theater pieces. Live performance returns once again and so do the on-stage jitters.
It's important to note that my first show at university was a Zoom performance play including a full set of audio equipment, a greenscreen, and computer recordings. These items were sent to me in the mail as my Spring semester was fully online.
There's a different element to live performance compared to recorded. As I await my set, I'm aware of the diners eating their meals. I'm aware that I'll have to adjust the mic stand because I'm short. I'm aware that my voice feels a little dry. I'm aware of everything that could possibly go wrong.
When everything went online there was a little relief to the fact that I could record things, but there was the fear of rewatching my recording and criticizing every mistake I made. Now, I recognize how much I missed that live performance feeling. The feeling that I don't know what will happen is kind of exhilarating, it raises the stakes. I missed the jitters.
Because when all is said and done, I like not knowing what will happen. I like suspense. I missed the live performance.
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Mean Girls Benedum Center (7/07-7/12) |
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Suffs Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (7/21-7/26) |
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Beyond Purple - a Tribute to Deep Purple, Rainbow, Dio, and Whitesnake The Lamp Theatre (7/31-7/31) |
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LIVE in Oakmont, PA - America's Fleetwood Mac Experience The Oaks Theater (9/11-9/11) |
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MTV Unplugged Tribute Band returns to Jergel's Rhythm Grille On July 16, 2026 Jergel's Rhythm Grille (7/16-7/16) |
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Superunknown: The Premier Tribute to Chris Cornell presents 'The 35 Tour' The Lamp Theatre (7/10-7/10) |
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Hadestown (Non-Equity) Benedum Center for the Performing Arts (10/27-11/01) |
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The Lion King Benedum Center for the Performing Arts (9/09-9/27) |
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Man of La Mancha The Strand Theater (9/11-9/20) |
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Late For The Sky: A Tribute to Jackson Browne Featuring Jake Thistle of American Idol The Lamp Theatre (7/19-7/19) |