The Pole Dance Performer

Resources mentioned:🎟️ Free Pole Performer Summit (Sept 23-26): https://www.poledancefoundations.com/PolePerformerSummit 💃 Pole Dance Foundations Membership: https://www.poledancefoundations.com/polefromhomeWhy Your Saved Tutorials Never Make It to the Stage:You have 400 saved pole tutorials on Instagram. You watch them on your lunch break. You drill them at open pole. So why does none of it connect when a full song comes on?In this episode I introduce you to Winging It Wanda, the pole dancer who builds her whole education out of 60 second tutorials and ends up with a pile of trick morsels instead of a dance. I break down why demonstration is not instruction, what is actually happening under the waterline of every trick you have ever watched online, and why an audience does not applaud positions, they feel moments.What you'll learn:Why 400 saved tutorials can leave you more stuck, not lessThe real reason your tricks won't connect into a routine, even when you can do all of themWho Winging It Wanda is and whether you have some of her in youThe difference between demonstration and instruction, and why it matters more than you thinkWhat is actually happening "under the waterline" of every pole trick you've ever watchedWhy an audience feels moments, not positionsThe one mindset shift that changes how you approach learning a new moveWhy drilling the same trick for months might be the wrong move entirelyskrippers solidarity 🔥

LINKS MENTIONED:Free Masterclass: Compelling Pole Routines ⁠⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/compellingroutines⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Training: The Choreography Code ⁠⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/poleartistmentorship⁠⁠⁠⁠Create Your Routine with Sergia 1:1⁠⁠⁠⁠ poledancefoundations.com/routinemap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Sergia: @sergialouise on Instagram

LINKS MENTIONED:Free Masterclass: Compelling Pole Routines ⁠⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/compellingroutines⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Training: The Choreography Code ⁠⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/poleartistmentorship⁠⁠⁠⁠Create Your Routine with Sergia 1:1⁠⁠⁠⁠ poledancefoundations.com/routinemap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Sergia: @sergialouise on Instagram

LINKS MENTIONED:Free Masterclass: Compelling Pole Routines ⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/compellingroutines⁠⁠⁠Free Training: The Choreography Code ⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/poleartistmentorship⁠⁠⁠Create Your Routine with Sergia 1:1⁠⁠⁠ poledancefoundations.com/routinemap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Sergia: @sergialouise on Instagram

LINKS MENTIONED:Free Masterclass: Compelling Pole Routines ⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/compellingroutines⁠⁠Free Training: The Choreography Code ⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/poleartistmentorship⁠⁠Create Your Routine with Sergia 1:1⁠⁠ poledancefoundations.com/routinemap⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Sergia: @sergialouise on Instagram

LINKS MENTIONED:Free Masterclass: Compelling Pole Routines ⁠poledancefoundations.com/compellingroutines⁠Free Training: The Choreography Code ⁠poledancefoundations.com/poleartistmentorship⁠Create Your Routine with Sergia 1:1⁠ poledancefoundations.com/routinemap⁠⁠Follow Sergia: @sergialouise on Instagram---The Routine Starts Before the Music Does.This is the final episode of the Stage Presence Series, and I saved my favorite for last.Most dancers treat their entrance as the walk to the pole before the real thing starts. And the bow? Something to get through after it ends. Both of those assumptions are costing you.Your audience starts forming an opinion the second you step into the light. Before the first note plays. Before your first move. And that opinion? It shapes how they receive everything that follows. If you walk out without intention, you've already made a choice. You've just made it accidentally.The same is true for the bow. What your character does after the last note fades is still part of the performance. Don't let the routine bleed out awkwardly.Today I get specific on how to choreograph both, how to stay in character from wing to wing, and why the moments everyone forgets are often the ones that hit hardest.

LINKS MENTIONED:Free Masterclass: Compelling Pole Routines ⁠poledancefoundations.com/compellingroutines⁠Free Training: The Choreography Code ⁠poledancefoundations.com/poleartistmentorship⁠Create Your Routine with Sergia 1:1⁠ poledancefoundations.com/routinemap⁠⁠Follow Sergia: @sergialouise on Instagram---Your Character Is Always Saying Something. Do You Know What It Is?Here's a thing I want you to try: write a script for your routine. Not choreography notes. Not a song map. An actual script — what your character is saying in every single moment, even though the audience will never hear a word of it.I know. It sounds a little ridiculous. Stay with me.This comes from actor training, and it's one of the most powerful performance tools I know. You cannot play an emotion on command. But you can play an action. And when your character has something specific to say in each moment, your body figures out the rest automatically. Your face knows what to do. Your eyes know where to go. Your gestures get specific instead of decorative.I walk you through how to actually write the script, share a real example from a student's assassin routine (yes, it sounds absurd, yes it works), and explain why nobody has to see this document except you.

LINKS MENTIONED:Free Masterclass: Compelling Pole Routines⁠ poledancefoundations.com/compellingroutines⁠Free Training: The Choreography Code ⁠poledancefoundations.com/poleartistmentorship⁠Create Your Routine with Sergia 1:1⁠ poledancefoundations.com/routinemap⁠⁠Follow Sergia: @sergialouise on Instagram---Stage Presence Isn't Something You Feel. It's Something You Build.In Part 1, I went on a rant about the note "you need better stage presence" and why it's one of the most useless pieces of feedback in pole. Today I'm giving you the actual answer.Don't try to conjure up stage presence before you walk onstage. Don't dial up your intensity or make bigger eye contact. Instead: choreograph it in.Stage presence is the result of specific decisions made during the choreographic process, not in the performance moment. And the most foundational of those decisions is focus. Not vague, general, out-into-the-audience focus. Specific, intentional, character-driven focus. In every moment of your routine, where are your eyes? What is your character looking at? Why?Most dancers haven't answered those questions. And that unanswered question is what an audience perceives as lack of presence.We also talk about subtext, actions, and what's actually happening when a routine feels magnetic versus hollow.---

LINKS MENTIONED:Free Masterclass: Compelling Pole Routinespoledancefoundations.com/compellingroutinesFree Training: The Choreography Codepoledancefoundations.com/poleartistmentorshipCreate Your Routine with Sergia 1:1poledancefoundations.com/routinemapFollow Sergia: @sergialouise on Instagram---In this episode Sergia breaks down why "you need better stage presence" is one of the most useless notes in pole — and what stage presence actually is and how to build it.You'll walk away with:Why stage presence is not a general feeling you dial up — it's built in specific momentsWhat subtext and action mean in pole performance and how to find them in your own routineWhy smiling more and making bigger eye contact might actually be working against you—Note: Pole dance was created by skrippers and sex workers. Full stop. They built this art form from the ground up — the studios, the moves, the culture, all of it. I would not be here without them. I honor that history and I stand in solidarity with sex workers and their rights. Always.

Join me June 24-27 for the Free Choreo Cookout Challenge: Heels Editionhttps://www.poledancefoundations.com/choreocookout

Join me for the Chore Cookout Heels Edition Free Challenge June 24-27https://www.poledancefoundations.com/choreocookout

Join me for the Free Choreo Cookout: Heels Edition Challenge June 24-28Register here⁠https://www.poledancefoundations.com/choreocookout⁠

Join me for the Free Choreo Cookout: Heels Edition Challenge June 24-28Register herehttps://www.poledancefoundations.com/choreocookout

LINKS MENTIONED:Free Masterclass: Compelling Pole Routines poledancefoundations.com/compellingroutinesFree Training: The Choreography Code poledancefoundations.com/poleartistmentorshipCreate Your Routine with Sergia 1:1 poledancefoundations.com/routinemapFollow Sergia: @sergialouise on Instagram---In this episode Sergia shares the Martha Graham quote she taped to her bedroom wall at sixteen — and why it might be exactly what you need to hear right now.You'll walk away with:-Why comparing your work to someone else's is not just painful — it's beside the point-How performing for approval keeps you from making work that's actually yours-Why you don't have to feel ready or confident to keep the channel open—Note: Pole dance was created by skrippers and sex workers. Full stop. They built this art form from the ground up — the studios, the moves, the culture, all of it. I would not be here without them. I honor that history and I stand in solidarity with sex workers and their rights. Always.

LINKS MENTIONED:Free Masterclass: Compelling Pole RoutinesFree Training: The Choreography CodeCreate Your Routine with Sergia 1:1 poledancefoundations.com/routinemapFollow Sergia on instagram---In this episode Sergia breaks down why your spinning pole is one of the most powerful storytelling tools you have — and how to use it intentionally.You'll walk away with:-Why where you put your spin pass is a storytelling decision, not just a technical one-The difference between what belongs on static versus spin — and why it matters-How to make sure your spin pass is earned so the escalation actually lands—Note: Pole dance was created by skrippers and sex workers. Full stop. They built this art form from the ground up — the studios, the moves, the culture, all of it. I would not be here without them. I honor that history and I stand in solidarity with sex workers and their rights. Always.

LINKS MENTIONED:Free Masterclass: Compelling Pole Routines ⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/compellingroutines⁠⁠⁠Free Training: The Choreography Code ⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/poleartistmentorship⁠⁠⁠Create Your Routine with Sergia 1:1 ⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/routinemap⁠⁠⁠Follow Sergia: ⁠⁠@sergialouise⁠⁠ on Instagram---In this episode Sergia breaks down what's actually happening in your body on performance day — and why the voice telling you to run is lying.You'll walk away with:Why stage fright and excitement are physiologically almost identical — and how to use thatThe single most effective stage fright antidote nobody talks aboutFour practical tools to use before your next performance—Note: Pole dance was created by skrippers and sex workers. Full stop. They built this art form from the ground up — the studios, the moves, the culture, all of it. I would not be here without them. I honor that history and I stand in solidarity with sex workers and their rights. Always.—

LINKS MENTIONED:Free Masterclass: Compelling Pole Routines ⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/compellingroutines⁠⁠⁠Free Training: The Choreography Code ⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/poleartistmentorship⁠⁠⁠Create Your Routine with Sergia 1:1 ⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/routinemap⁠⁠⁠Follow Sergia: ⁠⁠@sergialouise⁠⁠ on Instagram---In this episode Sergia breaks down exactly when a prop earns its place on stage — and when it's just a distraction.You'll walk away with:The one question to ask before you ever bring a prop to a performance The four rules every prop must follow to actually serve your routine How to know if your prop is helping your story or splitting your focus—Note: Pole dance was created by skrippers and sex workers. Full stop. They built this art form from the ground up — the studios, the moves, the culture, all of it. I would not be here without them. I honor that history and I stand in solidarity with sex workers and their rights. Always.

LINKS MENTIONED:Free Masterclass: Compelling Pole Routines ⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/compellingroutines⁠⁠⁠Free Training: The Choreography Code ⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/poleartistmentorship⁠⁠⁠Create Your Routine with Sergia 1:1 ⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/routinemap⁠⁠⁠Follow Sergia: ⁠⁠@sergialouise⁠⁠ on Instagram---In this episode, Sergia breaks down why concept is the single most important ingredient in any pole performance — and what's actually missing when a routine doesn't land.You'll walk away with:Why "sexy" and "sad" are not concepts (and what a real concept actually is)What a routine with a concept feels like from the audience's perspective vs. one withoutFour questions that give you the bones of a concept before you touch a single move---Note: Pole dance was created by skrippers and sex workers. Full stop. They built this art form from the ground up — the studios, the moves, the culture, all of it. I would not be here without them. I honor that history and I stand in solidarity with sex workers and their rights. Always.

LINKS MENTIONED:Free Masterclass: Compelling Pole Routines ⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/compellingroutines⁠⁠⁠Free Training: The Choreography Code ⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/poleartistmentorship⁠⁠⁠Create Your Routine with Sergia 1:1 ⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/routinemap⁠⁠⁠Follow Sergia: ⁠⁠@sergialouise⁠⁠ on Instagram---In this episode, Sergia breaks down why choreographer's freeze has nothing to do with creativity — and the simple systems fix that gets you moving again.You'll walk away with:Why the freeze is a bandwidth problem, not a talent problemHow to stop trying to build your routine in order (and what to do instead)The four-part fix that gives your creative brain a way through---Note: Pole dance was created by skrippers and sex workers. Full stop. They built this art form from the ground up — the studios, the moves, the culture, all of it. I would not be here without them. I honor that history and I stand in solidarity with sex workers and their rights. Always.

LINKS MENTIONED:Free Masterclass: Compelling Pole Routines ⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/compellingroutines⁠⁠⁠Free Training: The Choreography Code ⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/poleartistmentorship⁠⁠⁠Create Your Routine with Sergia 1:1 ⁠⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/routinemap⁠⁠⁠Follow Sergia: ⁠⁠@sergialouise⁠⁠ on Instagram--In this episode, Sergia breaks down why small, intentional gestures are one of the most powerful performance tools you're probably not using.You'll walk away with:Why gestures are the bridge between the story in your head and what your audience actually feelsHow to find character-specific gestures that work at any pole levelA simple pre-studio exercise that changes the energy of your whole routine---Note: Pole dance was created by skrippers and sex workers. Full stop. They built this art form from the ground up — the studios, the moves, the culture, all of it. I would not be here without them. I honor that history and I stand in solidarity with sex workers and their rights. Always.

In this episode Sergia shares the history of where pole dance actually comes from — and why honoring that history is every pole dancer's responsibility.You'll walk away with: A mini history lesson on the real origins of pole dance — from carnival tents to strip clubs to the first pole studios The names of the pioneers who built this art form and deserve to be remembered What whorephobia is, why hashtag NotAStripper caused and causes real harm, and what to do insteadLINKS MENTIONED:AM DaviesYas WorkYes, A Stripper Podcast / YAS Podcast SqueakAli KatThe Black Sex Worker CollectiveStrippers UnitedMichelle MynxNats Honey

LINKS MENTIONED:Free Masterclass: Compelling Pole Routines ⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/compellingroutines⁠⁠Free Training: The Choreography Code ⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/poleartistmentorship⁠⁠Create Your Routine with Sergia 1:1 ⁠⁠poledancefoundations.com/routinemap⁠⁠Follow Sergia: ⁠@sergialouise⁠ on Instagram---In this episode, Sergia breaks down the one step most dancers skip that makes choreography feel chaotic — and how fixing it changes everything.You'll walk away with:Why starting with song mapping (not movement) is the key to stopping the spiralA simple three-step process for building your music blueprint before you touch a single moveHow to identify the landmarks in your song that your choreography will want to live in---Note: Pole dance was created by skrippers and sex workers. Full stop. They built this art form from the ground up — the studios, the moves, the culture, all of it. I would not be here without them. I honor that history and I stand in solidarity with sex workers and their rights. Always.

Why Your Routine Isn't Landing (And It Has Nothing To Do With Your Tricks)If you've ever walked offstage feeling like something didn't land — or you keep freezing every time you sit down to choreograph — this episode is for you.The hard truth? It's not your tricks. It was never your tricks. A routine that moves people isn't built on what you can do. It's built on why you're doing it. That's the concept. And without one, even the most technically impressive routine can feel like a laundry list of moves.In this episode Sergia breaks down the 4-step framework behind every compelling pole performance:Clarity — defining your concept, the heartbeat of your routineStructure — mapping your music so you stop guessing what goes whereConfidence — building anchors and character moments that hold your piece togetherCohesion — assembling, refining, and polishing into something that actually lives and breathesYour routine doesn't stand out because you're dancing better, stronger, harder, and faster than everyone else. It stands out because you've done the homework.---Note: Pole dance was created by skrippers and sex workers. Full stop. They built this art form from the ground up — the studios, the moves, the culture, all of it. I would not be here without them. I honor that history and I stand in solidarity with sex workers and their rights. Always.---LINKS MENTIONED:Free Masterclass: Compelling Pole Routines poledancefoundations.com/compellingroutinesFree Training: The Choreography Code poledancefoundations.com/poleartistmentorshipCreate Your Routine with Sergia 1:1 poledancefoundations.com/routinemapFollow Sergia on Instagram