how can i become more more confident when performing infront of my class?

Question

im ok infront of small groups like 4 or 5 people, but when im infront of my class i just totally forget everything and look stupid. i get really nervous and think that everybodys whispering and stuff. please help!!

Answer 1

Remember it is a common problem, everyone feels it at one point in time or another and honestly, it is all in your head...

If you are 'acting' act like you don't care.... fool yourself into believing you aren't nervous or scared.... once you fool yourself into believing you aren't scared... you wont be.

I used to have the same problem in high school... but one day I just started telling myself I don't care what anyone thinks.. it totally helped.... if you don't dwell upon it... it wont bother you so much!

I am certain you will be great.... practice practice practice to be sure you know your stuff, and you will be fine =)

BEST OF LUCK

Answer 2

Hi, as Constantin Stanislavski the father of Acting techinique says you have to have muscular freedom while on stage or in frond of people. Everytime you are about to get on stage you might feel nervous about it but that's natural, your brain produces some chemicals so it can get you ready for the special and unknown to the beginner occasion. Just whenever you get that feeling interpret it as readiness and not as fear because if you think it's fear your brain produces more and more of those chemicals and eventually you'll start shaking. Have muscular freedom, do it organically as you would do it in natural life. It's a very good idea to read that book, it explains the real and professional way of acting.

Answer 3

The reason professional performers rehearse is because practice lessens the occurrences of the heebie-jeebies. So practice your presentation/performance as much as you can. Do it in front of family or friends if you can. Do it in front of a mirror. Tape yourself and play it back to see what you do and what you look like. Memorize your performance. The better you know it, the less nervous you will be…

{If you think that someone is whispering...then call them up and ask them to share with the class.}

Answer 4

The say that the best thing you can do is imagine the people in underwear! I know... it sounds strange but it can make you feel more confident about the speech! Also, you can take a deep breath and kind of think on something that relaxes you (e.g. imagine a paradise or a sunset).

Good luck with that!

Answer 5

you jsut have to not care about them at all so what if there whispering thats there problem i'm guessing there is a girl or boy in the class you like well just becuase you are shy infront of the class doesnt mean you have to be shy infront of him/her

Answer 6

I feel the same way. But I'm friends with everyone in my drama class. Just do something stupid in front of them, purposly. They won't condemn you or pick on you forever if you trip and fall flat on your face. It'll probably make them laugh, but you'l feel a lot more comfortable, because that is the worst that can happen.

Answer 7

Here you go. I found this site very helpful.

Why are we afraid of speaking in public?
The reason most people get anxious when required to speak to a group is that they are afraid of looking foolish or stupid in front of many of their peers and important people. They are afraid that their mind will go blank or that their lack of speaking skills will lower the opinion others have of them.

Being humiliated can destroy a person's ego and confidence. It can really ruin your day too.

Steps you can take to reduce the fear.
In most cases the fear or nervousness is just extra energy. This "extra energy" can be incorporated in the speech if it is controlled, however, you first must attempt to reduce the fear. The easiest way to do this is through preparation.
There are several steps and tricks to use to learn how to reduce the fear of making a mistake or looking foolish when you speak to a group:

Be well-prepared in what you do before a group
Have a backup, in case you forget what you want to say
Realize that the audience is on your team -- they want you to succeed
Practice, practice, practice
In the following material, I will explain each of those points.

Be well prepared
One of the best ways to make sure you don't make foolish mistakes is to be well prepared before you speak to a group. This doesn't mean to memorize exactly what you plan to say. Rather, it is to have a good outline of facts and information that you can talk about.

A professional in any field does not leave anything to chance before a big game, important performance, or critical presentation to corporate executives. Strategies are laid out, all material is ready, contingency plans are made, and every detail is taken care of.

When we don't prepare -- we prepare to fail. When you are well prepared, chances of failure or goof-ups are greatly reduced. You feel more relaxed and sure of yourself, because you have all the bases covered.

Have a backup
It is worthwhile to bring along a "security blanket" or "safety net" in case something goes wrong in your presentation. For example, having your speech outlined on some sort of cards or pages is a good backup in case you have a mental lapse. Referring to your notes is certainly acceptable to refresh your memory.

Of course, though, you should be prepared enough that you don't have to completely depend on your notes for your material. Don't use your notes/speaking outline as a crutch, but to keep you on track.

Reduce your fear of your audience
Speaking to peers, employers, instructors, or dignitaries can create fear in a person. This fear can be reduced by visualizing the people as equals. Think about your audience as being on "your team."

Become one with your audience. Don't build an artificial wall between you and your audience. Direct eye contact can create a oneness between you and your audience. Use the abundance of energy that your audience is capable of projecting to you. Use the Force Luke. Let the audience be with you.

Remember that they are on your team and they are there to hear what you have to say.


I think you can apply this stuff to your performance, whether it be music or dance or whatever. But I've found in my experience with giving speeches and presentations, that the more I practice before I give it, the more I am likely to screw up. Now, I don't practice. I just make sure that I know my topic and have a general sense of direction when I talk. Otherwise, I start to focus too much on what to say exactly next, and then start flubbing words, and then getting nervous because I'm messing up...it's a vicious cycle. Good luck with your next performance!

Answer 8

Use props. Walk around a lot. Make humor.
NEVER look at the class. Look at the wall behind them.

Answer 9

try to grab at least five of your kittens or cat or dogs and let them sitdown then try to think that they were your classmates at school then tell them a story LOL then you'll see that dogs and cats where whispering like they never listen to you so just go on what you were doin then you would kinda think that ur classmates were like desame as your pets like you know laughing, barking, whispering LOL it would be like similar to the pets you know

Answer 10

Be thorough with what you are going to deliver to them.
Never worry about impressing them with your wisdom or wizardry.
Just think about what you will be doing and how to do it best and even better.

Work hard upon the subject or topic at hand.

Give it your best.