Stage Fright

[Sarah2]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 4:33pm

I have some serious stage fright and I have an audition tonight. What I'm mainly nervous about is the people I have to audition in front of because one of them is my professor and another one is one of my sister's friends (i have to audition for two plays on the same night). I'm also kind of doubting my abilities because I've never actually acted in a play or anything and am afraid of what the directors will think. But when I get too nervous, like I am right now, I completely mess up and do worse than I could actually do. Does anyone have any ideas of how to help me kind of get over this or of anything I could do before the audition to kind of calm me down? And please don't say "picture them in their underwear" because I think that's a bit dumb. Thank you!

[KelRel]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 4:36pm

Just relax, no one is perfect. Try to remember that and just don't stress over it. Go grab a nice hot cup of tea and sit down in a quiet room and try to relax. Stretch, focus on your breathing and reassure yourself that you know the material and that you are capable of doing your best. Also the fact that your professor and your sister's friend are there can be used to your benifit. They know you and they know your abilities. Everything will be ok.

[Sarah2]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 4:39pm

Aww thanks. :) I think what makes this especially stressful for me is that I have a paper due tomorrow as well and my school in general is incredibly stressful. I'll try my best to calm down though, because worrying will only hurt me.

[KelRel]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 4:40pm

Ah ha! Procrastination has a way of biting you in the @ss like that...

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 4:44pm

I'm going to an audition very very soon (for Les Mis-the school edition), and I talked to my good friend David about it. (He's truly a great guy. I loooove him.)

David told me that I should just relax, and also to be myself. If they don't pick you, it's okay. You'll have other things to audition for in the future. Don't give up...and practice your song a few times, too!

I'd like to pass those words on to you.

[Sarah2]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 4:49pm

It's not a musical audition, it's two auditions (both for plays). I think I'm going to go over the scripts again soon and practice a little bit. The weird thing is that I'll be cool with not getting a part because if I did I would have the busiest schedule ever. I think it would just be a good experience though because I want to hopefully be in plays here, and everyone is telling me I should audition. Plus, even if I don't get in, I just got a place on this sketch comedy team that this guy made for his senior project, so I would still be able to do theatre.

[pndmnd]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 4:53pm

I used to get really nervous at auditions (when I was really little I was asked to be in a bridal show, and my mom had to walk across the stage with me at the audition, just to get me to move, and I walked on the upstage side of her the whole time). I still get nervous for big auditions (or big to me), or things that I'm really excited about, so now I try to pretend that none of them are a big deal. I still get some of that nervous energy, but I like to think that it's just enough to kick start me, and not enough to make me mess up any more. Oh, and if I'm doing more than one monologue, or a monologue and a song, I start with whatever I'm feeling the strongest at for that particular day.

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 5:04pm

Oh, I'm sorry. LOL...well, think if it was a musical audition...it's not going to be THAT bad. Hang in there!

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 5:17pm

I don't have any tips, but break a leg, Sarah!

[soapguy17]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 8:06pm

no matter how bad you think your stage fright is mine has been alot worse. (Panic attacks ect.). If you know your stuff and find a spot in the room to focus on insted of you examining audience then you'll be fine. I haven't had a panic attack since the 9th grade.

[theatrebabe]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 8:13pm

Hey Gav. my community is doing Les Miz. the school addition next summer. Tell me how it turns out and how the show is different. I'm really curious. :)

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 8:20pm

Go inside your character and be your character.

Only let them see you through your character.

Back up and let the character step forward...

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 8:26pm

First of all I think stage fright can be helpful to a certain point but you have to use it in the right way. You have to use the nervous energy to be put into your character and use it for that. Not the nervous part, per se, unless thats your character but if you can put your energy into your character rather than you...it could help bring out the character.

On the other hand, don't let it pull you too far.

Personally, getting nervous before an audition is natural...if you aren't nervous before an audition, then something's wrong with you, IMO.

Yea, so basically, use your nervousness in a good way.

I've learned it the hard way....very hard way. Throwing up and having panick attacks is not the way to go to an audition...trust me.

[Broadway_Baby]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 9:03pm

Above all, don't forget to
BREATHE...amazingly people often forget that semi-important detail.

[LorelaiGilmore]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 9:47pm

yes, breathing is good, that's basically my advice, just do your best, so at least you know you did that

[Sarah2]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 10:59pm

Thanks everyone! Just got back from the audition about a half-hour ago. It wasn't the worst I could've done, but definitely not the best. I seemed to calm down while I was waiting to be called and when I got into the room. Everyone was very nice and it was not a terrible experience, although I had to read for one of the Flames (we're doing Naga Mandala, an Indian kind of folk story, if that's what it could be called) and I had to make my body act like a flame, so that was a bit weird and didn't go very well. I think once I gain some acting experience (because I basically have none right now, I've never been in a play) the auditions will be easier, and it seems like the more I audition the more comfortable I become with doing it.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 9/27/05 at 11:01pm

Have a shot before hand.

Then imagine your professor naked.