How do you get rid of stage fright?

Question

I'm trying out for our school production of "The Wizard Of Oz" and my voice cracks when I'm on stage and I get terrible stage fright. What should I do?

Answer 1

picture everyone in the audience in their undies. You may not be
able to keep a straight face

Answer 2

When I was in high school I used to become nervous be for I performed. I did musicals and I was not much of an actor, but everyone told me I had a great voice. So I would go up and do my lines and then go into my songs and let my nervous energy feed my performance. I found that I became more comfortable the more times I was on stage, and the thrill is like nothing else in the world. Trust me I have done skydiving, rock climbing, white water rafting, repelling, and none of these can compare to the thrill of going on stage and performing. Whether I though I did good or bad I would always receive complements from members of the audience. One thing that I did discover is that I could never get rid of the feeling of stage fright, but I could control it. As long as you do not let the feeling overtake you and control you then everything will be fine. Know that at some point and time that you are going to mess up and the nice thing is that the audience will never know if you cover it and keep going. It sounds like you need to lighten up on yourself (easier said than done) and just make sure that you practice. There will be times that you will not like how you performed, but you need to ask yourself who are you performing for? The audience, or yourself. If you are doing it for yourself then why bother performing on stage.

Answer 3

I'm sorry to tell you, but stage fright never completely goes away. It is just a small discomfort everyone gets. But i would have to agree, tryouts are the most difficult. What i would do is practice, practice practice. It may not make perfect, but after plenty of great practices you will feel more comfortable speaking the part.

Also the adrenaline is there to help you and not harm you. When you get that butterfly feeling in your stomach try to use it. Use is to project your voice and give more energy to your lines. Control your voice and don't let it crack.

Don't sweat it! If your voice does crack just pretend like it never happened and recite your lines strongly and proudly.

Answer 4

Since it's a little late now to take a speech class before you try out I'd suggest you practice in front of family and friends. It also helps you to practice in front of a mirror. I've heard some people who speak in public suggest they imagine the audience naked, but I've never tried that. Just remember everyone, even professional actors, have stage fright. You can do anything you put your mind to. It also, depending on the part you're trying for, help your performance(like if it were the Cowardly Lion, or the Scarecrow.). Just take a deep breath and forget everyone, but yourself and the other actors. Think of yourself as the person you're playing.

Answer 5

Wizard of Oz? Great show. I am currently the Tin Man in my school performance. Here is my advice:
Drink plenty of water.
Pay no attention to anyone there except the director.
Also, I found that it helps to lift your head a little higher than usual, not only because it helps you to lift your voice, but also because everyone would probably be below your eyeline.
And one more thing. Make sure you pronunciate. If the director doesnt understand you, it is likely they will be hesitant to cast you. Anyways, hope you do well, and break a leg.

Answer 6

Accept the fear as part of your process. Isn't it amazing that there is something in life that can get you this excited and motivated. So many people never even try to get up on stage or do what they want to do. NExt, be so prepared, that although you might be a little nervous, you are ready and know what you are doing.

Answer 7

Take a big breath before going on stage and don't think that you won't do it right just think that every thing's going to be fine.If you say to yourself every time that something will be wrong then something will go wrong.Don't be stressed out.The fright is something even the celebrities have.It's not only you!When you are on stage try to be cool.Nervous you are at the beginning but when you start your lines you chill out.It happens to me all the time.Trust me.Just go up there and try to be cool.I hope i helped you!!!Good luck!!!

Answer 8

As an actor who gets nervous all the time I have to say this, let it come, let it pass. Be in the moment, meaning you are there in the scene, being that character and you need to make your fellow actors look good. Trust in them that they will do the same for you.

It sounds like you are just affraid of looking silly, well that's really why you ARE there. You need to have fun with it, oh, and breathe. A lot of people start taking quick shallow breaths and it makes them even more nervous. Deep normal paced breaths are best. Break a leg.

Answer 9

I used to have to give lectures for work, and I never enjoyed it because I always got too nervous.

I made myself tired by going for a run about two hours before my lecture. If you're not a runner, do something as strenuous to get out all the nervous energy, such as using an eliptical machine or swim.

You also need to just find someone or a small group of people to focus on in the audience. And just focus just on their attention to you and not the whole audience.

Best of luck in your tryouts!

Answer 10

just think that you are practicing infront of a wall. if i get nervous i do that, cause my school is triyng out for a drama production as well about "Oliver Twist" and i have to be the cruel one. i got nervous during the audition cause i have to act and sing infront of people, i took a very deep breath and i do not think what people think about you. once you get to the stage people will see what're your skills and in the end they will give you an applause, just think that you are the main character for the play. that is how i take it. just give it a try, when it fails, let me know. hehehe

Answer 11

Ohh tryouts are the hardest.Just tell yourself you can do it. Walk onto that stage all confident like. If you act confident you will become confident. proven fact. Even if it's in front of a bunch of your peers, which is the hardest. just take a big breath, have your parts down and everything will run smoothly. don't stress. good luck ;)