How do I get over stage fright?

Question

I wanna be in the acting business, but I can't seem to get over my stage fright.

Answer 1

Practice your speech, skit, or whatever in the classroom you will be giving the speech. Most of the time, you are just shocked into feeling nervous for the first minute or two of the speech before you get comfortable. Practice the speech in the room you'll be giving it, but give the speech to an empty room. This way you've already become comfortable with the room and you've already done the speech there too.

Answer 2

Other than combining a lot of the other answers posted, here's a little trick I learned on stage. During most performances, there will be front lighting to the stage. This causes the "fourth wall" effect for the actors. The lights are so bright that you can't see beyond the orchestra pit or the first two rows of seats, depending on the theatre. If you can, get on a stage without a crowd, have someone put on show lighting, and notice that you can't see anything (or anyone for that matter). Then, when you're actually on stage, remember that no one is there and it seems to take the edge off. Hope that helps some.

Answer 3

Start by trying to speak up more in public situations and being more outgoing in general. If you are not nervous when you tell an interesting story or a long joke during a conversation with a group of friends, remember how that feels and remind yourself of that later.
If you are in school or work in an office, volunteer to make a really short presentation or two. The more practice you get in small doses the easier it will be to do a very small part in a play or skit and you can add more from there.
Expect to feel nervous before you are about to go on-stage and remind yourself that being nervous is normal. Then you won't be surprised when you feel that way. Remind yourself that you were expecting to feel that fear and that you are going to do it anyways.
You might be surprised to hear that many actors, and professional speakers are still nervous despite doing this for years. Some professional athletes throw up before each game.
The bottom line is that you are going to do a great job even if you are a little nervous. Remember how good it feels when you get applause and appreciation for the good job you did. Always try to remember these successes just before you go on to put yourself in the right frame of mind. have fun!

Answer 4

1. dont stare into the crowd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! don't think "OMG all these people are staring at me" Instead, focus on a lightbulb or something in the back of the theater and pretend that everythings is empty. Chances are, the room will be dark, and you won't be able to see anyone anyhow.
2. Find someone you know in the crowd (friend, familly) and think that you are only performing for them.
3. If you mess up, people won't notice especcialyy if you don't have a singing part.
4. If you are not sure if you remember your line, skip it. On eof the crew will help you out, and if they don't and say the line they were supposed to say after you, then THEY'LL mess up and not you.
5. If you mess up, it isn't the end of the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The audience will understand that you are a beginner!
6. Pretend this is not the real performance, but just another run-over-practice.
7. Think of how nice it would be to go home, take a hot shower, put on your comfy robe and fuzzy slippers and watch a comedy with popcorn or hot cocoa after the performance
8. Imagine the audience in their underwear!!!
Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

Before you act, get all your other acting friends with you backstage. Then do some simple breathing exercise, first breath in and then instead of breath out you push out by saying something instead- like say, breath in then... 'Punch!'. (This is also to exercise the diaphraghm). You would like to do this three times.

Now, by this time, you all close your eyes and think of your character and nothing but. Visualize and think deeply of his or her's emotion and make it a part of your own. Do this for a few minutes. Then while your eyes are still close, say one of your lines (eveyone should follow suit), accompany this with the actions you plan on using for that certain line.

You have to be serious about this or else you'll end up squeaking instead of booming out your voice in anger/surprise/joy or whatever feeling you were suppose to convey for your character.

A good luck and chocolates help.

Answer 6

This is gonna sound real weird but hey it works for me. When you go out on the stage just REALIZE I mean really REALIZE that you are the most superior person in that room at that time. It sounds cocky but in this one life that we live day by day there are moments when you have the divine right to be cocky or confident or whatever adjective you need to call it. Just purpose in your heart to know that every person in your audience is there at your disposal. You are there to play them like a fiddle so just do your thing. Good luck.

Answer 7

If you are doing a dialogue, I found it's great when you have quiet confident support from the other actor. It's hard to describe but basically focus on the people on stage with you and that usually helps me out.

Answer 8

take speech classes

I had a big problem with stage fright myself, until I took two speech classes and practicing everyday in front of a group of strangers (who later became my friends) helped me build more confidence.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Just know that people aren't just looking at u.. they are looking at others also.. and fill yourself with encouragement dont let yourself down.. Another thing i always do before concerts etc., is drink a cup of hot tea and a piece of chocolate:) it helps and just remember everything isn't just on u its on every1 else also
Gl with the acting buisness..oh yea and there are classes u can take for acting .. they help u get over it:)

Answer 10

Remember that everyone in the audience WANTS you to succeed. People do not come to a play or a musical in hopes that the actor will fall on her face. Same goes for auditions. The director wants you to succeed. They are all rooting for you. So root for yourself. No one is judging you as much as you think they are.

Besides, if you don't get a part, it does not mean you're awful. It just means you're not right for that particular part. So what do you have to lose?