How do you beat stage freight?

Question

I know most people are going to say "Just do something infront of a crowd" and I've done that but it does not help. It makes me more nervous about my next performance. I'm nervous just doing an oral report to my class. Please help!

Answer 1

I'm a cheerleader and what i do is when I'm in the crowed i don't look at the crowed just look at a spot at the wall and make it look like your looking at the crowed ! also think about if you were in the crowed and you were seeing someone like you preforming if they mess up you don't think as much about but when your the person who mest up you think you did bad but don't worry about it because people normally don't care as much as you think

Answer 2

It get's easier over time, the best thing to do is use breathing exercises look up the Alexander technique as a starter.

But you will always have a sort of 'stage freight' its just a natural fight or flight that is inbuilt in your body, and everybody has it. Take a deep breath through your nose as deep as your can and imagine your breathing into your back, (practice lying on the floor in your bedroom first this will help you) this will realize the adrenalin into your system the rest is up to you its a gutsy thing getting up in front of an audience I've been stage acting for 6 years, pro for 2 years, and I still get a rush of freight before getting on stage but when you finish you will feel great.

Answer 3

I hate to say this but some people never get over stage freight. There are excerzises u can do before going on.Like deep breaths,some people meditate,and the old one is try to picture the crowd your in front of in their underwear.I'm older now but when I was young I ended up getting a E in my music class because I couldn't sing infront of the class. Then the teacher told me to come after school and sing for just him.I ended up running out after my voice was so shaky u couldn't understand the words.So your not alone.Good luck

Answer 4

Stage FRIGHT, not freight, is quite normal before a performance, even people like Placido Domingo admit to having butterflies before performing so you're not alone.

But it is true the more you peform in front of a crowd, the easier it gets.

Take some big breaths before you go out , exhaling after each. Most people unless they're in a raucus comedy club are rooting for the performer so remember they're on your side. You've practiced, you're skilled, you're going to do fine and keep telling yourself that.

And allow me be the first to give you a bravo!

Answer 5

Aleph Null made a great point: "practice enough." If you have no misgiving you can play the piece, then there will be no performance anxiety. Then you must realize that this is not about people evaluating your playing ability. Absolutely not! It's about a beautiful piece of music that you are sharing with a group of music lovers. Approach it as though you were about to play your iPod for friends, so they can hear this great song you like. As you play, carry on a silent dialog with the audience; play a phrase and think: "Isn't that great? Then he does this..." and continue sharing this musical creation, like a story at a campfire. Not only will the concert stop being 'about you' but the audience will be put at ease and give them permission to enjoy the performance. It becomes a shared experience with the music as the commonality. Make it about sharing, not about "performing". Good Luck!

Answer 6

Remember a couple of things, and this applies to any type of performance/public speaking.

First, most (99%) of people are not judging you, or sitting out there saying, "I can do better than THAT!" Most doubt their own ability.

Second, and this applies mostly to the performance - most listeners are "lay" people in regards to your subject: they don't know better than you. If you goof a little on a song, KEEP GOING! Most won't notice.

That's why, in the case of public speaking, you need to be prepared! If you're just reading, read it over and over before you get up there. If you're presenting your own work, make sure you're prepared. It's the confidence in your preparedness that will help you to do well. Good luck!

Answer 7

thanks for asking,im in the same situation.i have a perfoming arts festival in a few days and im really nervous,but then i think ill be to concentrated on what i am saying that it wont bother me.
in school a few years back,i had a report,i was incredibly nervous at speaking to the whole class(and we all get along so well) and i shook so bad that they were looking at me cus i was shaking and not really listening to my report.so what u gotta do is relax urself and dont let urself think "oh gosh im nervous" cus then it gets worse. (this is what my psychologist says to me) and it works. just stay focused and im sure you'll do fine :)

Answer 8

take deep breathes and imagen your not in front of a crowd but back in your house practicing the lines and if you do mess up either make a joke out of it or play it cool and act like it didn't happen

Answer 9

ive got the same problem too! i dont like speaking in front of class.. and the problem is im a vocalist for a band! hahaha.. well most of the time i get over it after the first song or after the first few minutes of talking.. but i really want to eliminate it.. maybe try to discharge of your insecurities.. that's what i try to do.. :) god bless!

Answer 10

Think of it as an event happening to THEM not you. Self-conscious literally means conscious of your self. Forget you. Concentrate on delivering to THEM what you are there to deliver.

This may sound like I'm being rude to you, but I'm not. THis is truly the formula for it. HOpe it helps.

PS I am a public speaker.