Conquering Stage Fright

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 9:03pm

I had a tramatic audition expirence when I was young and I'm ashamed to say I have never recovered. Blah. I am looking for ways to conquer my stage fright, like when I'm actually standing up and performing in front of someone. How can I calm my nerves? Thanks.

[Phantom Chicken]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 9:09pm

I'll pseak from personal experience:

You really can't calm your nerves. Being nervous is natural. You have to want it to do well. I mean REALLY want it.

When I had to perform, I was very nervous...almost backed out. But I wanted to perform more than anything. That's what got me on stage. After the first note came out of my mouth, everything was good.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 9:24pm

Although I can't speak for everyone, I think that the best way to get over stage fright (or lessen it, rather, since you'll always be at least a little nervous) is to get used to being in front of an audience. Just keep on going to auditions and performing in as many plays as you can, and eventually having an audience watching you will become normal part of your life! If you don't have any theatrical opportunities at the moment, and you're a student, why not start with volunteering to read passages out loud in English class?

[wildcat]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 11:02pm

Being ultra confident with the material is an enormous help. Knowing the script or song so well that you can perform it in your sleep greatly reduces the risk of anything going wrong. Also believing completely in the situation of the script or song should take your mind off yourself and your own fears.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 11:07pm

I just can't sympathize... call me when you have to be completely naked...

[wildcat]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 11:33pm

Being naked onstage is surprisingly unscary. It's all the time leading up to it that shreds your nerves. (At least in my experience...)

[Phantom Chicken]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 11:38pm

wildcat - so true.

Why cover up after someone sees you naked? One more could they see?

[Dreamcatcher]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 11:40pm

This is just me but the idea of being naked onstage (or anywhere else public for that matter) terrifies me. Hopefully that wont have a big influence on any future career I have in acting but if it does then I'm going to have problems in the future. :-P

As for stage fright, the best advice I can offer has already been said. Get comfortable with your lines and songs (maybe practice in front of friends so they can give you constructive critisism etc) and just do it. I had (and still have) HORRIBLE stage fright. For the last show I did, I had this really complex dance to do plus a small solo for the song and I was honestly getting lightheaded, I was so nervous. The best thing to do is just take deep breaths, relax and dive in. The odd thing is that even though it feels like you've forgotten everything, your subconcious remembers it and once you are onstage and have to do it, it sort of takes over.

[Phantom Chicken]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 11:45pm

you could ALWAYS have a stand-in to do your nude scenes.

But if you are gonna be on stage dot dot dot