Am I getting deja vu, or did you ask this somewhere else just recently?

If so forgive me if I repeat myself :-)
Anyway, have they watched themselves on video? My students often get insight on what they need to work on from that; particularly if you view together, & make it a group exercise so they expect constructive critique (some positives thrown in helps the medicine go down).
They should all have their notebooks & pens out too - IF they're serious about improving,. Notes are a must. I've seen too many insist they "get it" & don't need to make notes, then keep making the same mistakes.

Personally I found the "outside-in" method most effective (for me & I believe most of my student performers) - start with the pasted on smile (during practise and rehearsal), then it will eventually transform into actually enjoying themselves.

But be realistic - you can't depend on your FEELINGS while onstage - anything can happen to throw you "out of the mood" - but you still have to DELIVER positive energy. So being able to switch to "automatic smiling" (thanks to repeatedly practising that way) is what saves the performance.

Great question!
What I always tell my ladies is SMILE!! No matter if it's fake or real (just like Anthea says too), and most likely it will turn real. You know how if some one is smiling big, it kind of makes you want to smile too? That's the idea, they see each other and then the smiles happen!

I direct a tribal fusion troupe, and I always want to see smiles, I'm not into the 'attitude' thing other than just some awesome stage presence (which to me means smiles, and sometimes sassy little smirks - either will engage an audience so much more than a blank or concentrating look!). The video taping is a great idea too, that way they can check themselves out and see if their 'sassy looks' are big enough to be read from stage.

I also tell my dancers to pretend there are a bunch of really hunky guys sitting right up front in the audience, and dance right to them. THat is usually a good one that gets smiles if nothing else, it also gets them to really OWN the movement and show it in their expressions. Plus it's kinda fun.

You could also show them some you tubes of Unmata dancing - they always have these fantastic big, fun smiles on their faces, appropriate for either Tribal Fus. or Cultural. That might help too, just to give them an idea of how much more engaging their dance will be if they just SMILE!

Have fun! Good luck!
Molly

One thing to remind beginners is that they are doing this to have fun....and it is okay if something happens. I think that fear sticks out...so trying to let that go some helps.

Then .. the visualization or find that friendly face in the audience. Even have a friend sit where they can look if they get nervous.

I do really feel that if they know that their teacher has confidence in them and just wants to see them dance...it relieves the fear of disappointing their teacher. My students have said that I do always remind them to just have fun in the end....and that always helps. They also know that I am always smiling and proud of them for just getting up there and dancing....regardless of if the routine is perfect.

You can start with that smile idea and have them hold a pencil in their teeth and not let their lips touch the pencil.... while they practice dancing. Once they get that, teach them to "look at the clock" ( you choose different points in the audience related to an invisible clockface spread over the audience) and have them look at the assigned points on the clock..... let's say, 9,12,3,6 and center. Once they have this down, have them flirt, so to speak, with each of those points. Have them convey "I'm so happy you are here" and "I have fallen so in love" and "oh, my heart is broken" and "that's the funniest thing I've ever seen", etc., depending on their music. Play with modern music that is very obvious what the feeling and tone are if you have to to get them started. Just some ideas!