Stage Fright?

Question

My film group, FireFly INK Productions, is going to do a stage show like Whose Line Is It Anyway... I have a problem with stage fright and my group has decided, on every product so far, that I be in it. Now, this isn't a movie so therefore I'll be in front of people. There have already been 140 tickets sold... I get more and more nervous. I also have to literally get up there and speak to the audience explaining about our group and what all the audience themselves will be doing to participate.
Now, after my book-like problem... what is a good way to get over my stage fright before we hit the stage in September.
BTW this will be a traveling show, we hope.

Answer 1

Remember that fear is a spirit. Begin by saying out loud: I will not let the spirit of fear overcome me. Print out cheap posters about the play: go to busy subway stations and ask people you do not know: Are you fond of theater? Will you at least keep one of these?
That is even tougher than appearing on stage because the outside world is generally hostile and suspicious. Be comforted in knowing that your audience will be friendly, for the most part. On the night in question, if you are a praying person, then say: God remove the spirit of fear from around me and give me you spirit of boldness. Take a deep breath and defiantly go out there with one attitude: YOU FOLKS BETTER GET READY FOR THE NEXT SUPER STAR! Knock em dead.

I, a formerly bashful person had to speak before 15,000 people and five T.V networks filmed the event. That is what I did. The amount of people who came up to me afterwords to compliment me was very encouraging. YOU WILL DO IT AND DO IT WELL.
Boaz.

Answer 2

Break a leg.

( Horrible, isn't it? Makes you think early thespians sidelined as Mongolian Hordes ravaging the countryside while blatting unintelligebly in their furry horned hats. )

Seriously, though;

I can say all I want - you are the person going center stage. It seems your group has been doing this deliberately. As per your own account. You may wish to have a talk with The Big Tofu and lay your cards out as per what you may or may not do if it is not of your own volition.

People shouldn't be pushed in a direction they don't want to go.

There are only two types of actors. Stage, and screen. Peter O'Toole beautifully illustrates this in ' My Favorite Year ' when he realizes he has to perform in front of not just a TV camera but a live audience as well.

He panics. The funny line being memorable;

" I'm not an actor!!! I'm a movie star!!!!! "

You have to decide to be able to do this if you expect any longevity. You seem well organized in your head, have analyzed the problem, and a brave girl for sharing this with this forum.

Succes is never final. Failure, never fatal. It's courage, that counts. By now, you know this. Ethel Merman had the same problem but got over it imagining the audience in their underwear.

Public speaking isn't for everyone no matter what form it takes. I'm betting on you you'll be fine. You wouldn't be doing this if you couldn't. What's really at issue is this takes a kind of mile marker position in your life.

Not the kids' play anymore. ( There were more then, weren't there?! You silly. Now get out there and knock 'em dead. ) I could be wrong. The decision, finally, as it should be, is up to you. Generally, people don't think this is work. They are mistaken.

E - mail me if you like and let me know how it worked out, alright?

Answer 3

First of all, a lot of people who think they have stage fright really are "alright on the night". As long as you rehearse some dialogue, you should be ok. Some people say to picture the audience naked. It might work for some but I find the best thing a lot of the time is to simply find a point behind your audience and speak to the wall. Or if talking towards another cast member, look at their eyebrows. Looking people in the eye can often make you feel more nervous. It's better to be in front of an unknown audience. I hope I helped a bit. Break a leg.

Answer 4

Here's what my Acting teacher did to get us over it. He told us to bring some complicated activity to class, and do it while everyone quietly watched. It was unnerving for a minute, but once you get into the activity, you'll tune everyone else out. Acting is the same, focus on your character's thoughts, needs, feelings, and activities, and you won't have time to worry about the audience. If you can perform in front of a group of your peers (who by the way are more qualified critics than you'll find in a normal audience), then you have nothing to fear from some old ladies who bought tickets. Remember that they already paid to see you, so they already respect what you have to say. You'll be fine, just suck it up the first time, and the second won't be so hard. Break a leg!

Answer 5

I was a performer for 20 years. I also have a studdering problem and when I get in front ofpeople I just loose everything in my mind what I'm supposed to say and do. Finally I had to give it up because after 20 years of it, i felt like it was not fun because I stressed out about it. Your friends will be able to help you thru it. My friends always told me they stressed too and it is so normal to have stage fright.They said, it would not bea professional not to have stage fright, just know you are completely normal. I saw Liza Minnilli on Larry King Live and she said she still gets stage fright every time she goes on.
It's normal.

Answer 6

I've been singing for years in front of people, and the first time wasn't easy. The advice I could give you is to start doing breathing exercises to relax and start practicing in front of a small group of people (doesn't matter if they are your friends or family, it's just to start getting the hang of it). You could also try to practice in front of a mirror to check out your body language and avoid mannerisms or ticks (like rocking yourself while talking or playing with your shirt, that's a clear sign that you're nervous).

Another good thing to remember is that when the time comes and you have to act or talk in front of a crowd, put your attention to ONE of the people in the audience. It's a good way to focus and will make you "forget" that there are more people in the room. And FYI, that thing they say about imagining the crowd naked...never worked for me, lol.

And always try to have somebody film your shows, it's a great way to detect your mistakes and learn from them. Constructive criticism is the best you can get to be more confident onstage.

Just take a deep breath and go for it, you could do it!!! Remember, practice makes perfect.

Answer 7

Stage fright can be your friend or it can be your enemy. The important thing is that you look at your "stage fright" as pure energy. You can chose to put that energy to positive use and focus it into your performance or you can put it to negative use and stress out about the show all day. The easiest way to regain control of this excess energy is through breathing and streching exercises. Vocal exercise are good too. There are hudnreds of books out there that can show how to do any number of these exercises. But the important thing to remember (as I stated before) is that "stage fright", "butterflies", the "shivers", or whatever you want to call it is how your body is currently dealing with all that excess energy and it is up to you to regain control and harness that energy, not let the energy harness you.

Answer 8

Rehearsing and preparation are the best way to deal with stage fright. Practice being on real live stage, and get to know your lines unless its improve, then practice improvising.
Another thing to keep in mind is that stage fright is normal for almost every actor. Some use their nerves to put on a top knotch performance. I know no other way to cure it, other than getting on the stage and doing it.

Answer 9

Don't be scared people do overcome their fears, I was in movies at the age of 10 and i was scared even in front of a camera! Once you do it you'll feel like there really isn't an audience in front of you. If you mess up the audience doesn't even know!

Answer 10

If you have performed before and you know how it feels t o be in front of an audience, even if you've just done a speech in front of your class, just remember the parts about it that you like. You might get pumped up instead of nervous.