How Women Can Shine On Stage

Need to make a presentation? Or nail your best friend’s wedding speech? Overcome your phobia of speaking in public and own your time in the spotlight. High-achieving women who wow audiences for a living share their secrets with Karen Tee.

- Karen Tee

It’s a little hard to imagine, but Sukki Singapora is shy by nature. With her rainbow-coloured hair and figure-flattering outfits, Singapore’s first burlesque artist is also an outspoken, self-professed feminist who clearly does not fear the spotlight. Case in point: She wore a cape bearing the words “Asians come in all colours” to the Singapore gala of Crazy Rich Asians. But even this bold performer used to be “crippled with stage fright”.“Nerves, sweats and shakes, I had it all,” she says.

Although most of us may never have to disrobe on stage, the tongue-tied terror caused by the mere thought of having to speak up in public is probably very relatable. But we’ve all got to do it at some point.

Not everybody possesses the moxie to ham it up in front of a crowd, but what’s heartening to know is that even the best of us, from TV show presenters to corporate powerhouses and, yes, burlesque performers, learnt this skill the hard way. For instance, Sukki credits her craft with teaching her to project confidence in front of an audience.

We get her and four other accomplished women to spill their secrets on nailing an appearance in front of a big audience.

KNOW YOUR TOPIC INSIDE OUT

Su-Yen Wong, CEO and founder of consultancy Bronze Phoenix, helps organisations and individuals reinvent themselves. Wong has appeared globally as a professional speaker, moderator and guest lecturer.

“The first step is to ask questions, specifically to understand what the client is trying to accomplish. Context matters, and I tailor my approach for each specific audience. I conduct research on the industry and company, and then integrate that perspective into the presentation. With panel moderation, the more time I’ve spent with the panellists and the more knowledge I have about the issues being discussed, the better-positioned I will be to guide the dialogue.