When performing on stage how to do get over your nervousness?

Question

The bad kind of nervousness that makes you really fidgety.....What are your tips on how to reduce this?

Answer 1

It always feels worse to you than it appears to people observing you. The thing about "stage fright" (a term I detest, by the way) is that actors think it's something HORRIBLE that they have to GET OVER.

All of those symptoms -- damp palms, accelerated heart/pulse rate, etc. -- are signs that your body is generating a little extra adrenalin. It's our good old "fight or flight" mechanism at work. In other words, it's your body going to DEFCON 5, and telling you that it's ready for action! They're all signs that something extraordinary is about to happen.

It's a sensation that actors need to MAKE FRIENDS WITH, not get over.

I've been acting for a long, looooong time; frankly, when I STOP feeling that pre-performance adrenalin burst is when I'll start worrying.

Answer 2

Get yourself over the thought that the audience is there to see you fail. They are pulling for you. They want you to be good.

Next remind yourself that they won't remember a bad performance for more than a day or two. You will, but they won't. Heck, most of them won't notice little mistakes.

The absolute worst thing that can happen is for you to fall down in the middle of a number or your costume to fall off. If you turn a fall into part of the number (recover with style) and don't lose your cool, they'll simply accept it as part of the act. If the costume falls off, use it. Grab it, but simply adjust your motions to accommodate the fact that you have to hold it until you can get offstage for a wardrobe fix. Flair can cover any embarrassment.

And remember that you are out there because you want to be. It doesn't matter in the end what THIS audience thinks, because you are doing what you want to be doing. Just give it your all.

If you remember the Janet Jordan "wardrobe malfunction", you probably know that it was staged and not a malfunction at all. A true wardrobe malfunction (as happened to Miss Universe in Australia when her skirt fell down at a fashion show) is quickly forgiven. Her reaction was a slightly embarrassed giggle and a run offstage. Her quote "If I'd known that was going to happen, I would have worn better knickers." She was back in the same show a few minutes later with a different outfit.

Answer 3

I've performed on stage quite a bit and have learned to ignore the nervousness. Even better, I try to channel that energy into being more exciting and active on stage. I play guitar and sing, and have learned that people want to be entertained. This doesn't mean always hitting the notes exactly right but it does mean being fun, engaging and... well, entertaining.

You can't completely eliminate being nervous but you can make it work for you if you use it to be more entertaining.

Answer 4

I don't perform any more, but I found that the butterflies went away once I began. It was the anticipatory feelings only. I never had any nervousness on stage as I was totally focused on my character. So I would say 'focus'.

Answer 5

If you have spotlights on you, you probably won't even see the audience. And when you perform think about just the people you are working with and no one else. If that doesn't work, think of an old crush and just imagine you are with them. That works for me when I have to sing and dance in musicals. You get happy and relaxed. If you have to be sad or angry in ur character think about how the hurt u are seeing that crush with someone else.

Answer 6

concentrate on your part. In Most theatres you can only see the front row of the audience so that should help. Have fun, you are great and just know everyone loves you!

Answer 7

Just remember, you are on stage because you are good enough to be there. Have confidence in you're ability.

Answer 8

Imagine everyone being naked with a paper sack over their heads so they can not see you. You may have to bite your lip to keep from laughing though.