Anchoring the college fest: the walk to the mic

The fest is tonight, and you are the one holding the mic. From the wings to the centre of the stage it is a short walk, maybe a dozen steps. The lights are bright, the hall is dark, and the walk is not the hard part. The hard part is the moment after it, when you get there and everyone is waiting.

The look

Pick something bright and simple that you can read from the back row. A solid kurta in a strong colour, like berry, emerald or cobalt, is a good base. If you prefer something more modern, a matching co-ord set in one solid colour works the same way. Stay away from small busy prints, because the lights wash them out.

Wear shoes you can walk in without thinking, since you will cross the stage more than once.

For your hair, pin it back so it stays off your face and off the mic. A low bun, or a half-tie with two or three pins at the sides, is enough. Do a small shake of your head once at home. If nothing moves, it will hold.

One small detail is plenty: a pair of earrings that are light and do not swing, or a bright dupatta you can fold flat over one shoulder.

The one confidence move

Walk out, stop, smile, then speak. The stop is the part to practise. When you reach your spot, put both feet down, hold the mic near your chin, and let your eyes travel once across the hall. Smile before you say anything. That pause feels very long to you and ordinary to the people sitting there.

What to say first

Keep your first line ready, and keep it short:

"Good evening, everyone. Are you ready?"

Say it slowly. The hall will answer you, and that gives you a few seconds to settle.

If it goes sideways

You may lose a name, mix up two events or say something in the wrong order. Do not hurry to hide it. Smile, say a small line like "Let me try that again, the lights have got into my head," and carry on. A small joke about yourself, said calmly, shows the room that you are still in charge of the evening.

One thing to try today

Ask the organisers for five minutes on the actual stage before the fest, even if it is empty. Walk out from the wings, count your steps, stop, smile, and say your first line to the back wall. Do it twice. Then stand where you will stand tonight and check where the lights fall, so there are no surprises when you walk out.

Each Sunday: one moment coming up this week, the look for it and the one line to say first. Find more in /moments.