i get nervous when on stage...?

Question

i have to go on stage in a few days and the thing that makes me most nervous is the silence of the room when im ready to start,i get really nervous when theres a silence and i need a bit of help. any ideas?

Answer 1

when i had to speak in public, i would get so nervous i could feel my face getting red. i took drama, and acting classes just to get over my fear of public speaking. it helped a lot and, by using breathing techniques and imagery, i was able to give public speeches without turning into a tomato. one of the tricks is to control your breathing. don't hyperventilate or anything, but take a few nice long inhales through your nose and exhale out of your mouth. having a mantra can help too. in your head, repeating something as simple as "i can do this" can help calm your nerves and avert your attention from the nervousness you feel. also, once on the stage try not make eyecontact. look out and above the audience, and speak clearly to the back of the room. i hope that one of thses will work for you, and good luck with your performance.

Answer 2

While some find music helpful, the problem with listening to music immediately before hitting the stage is that while it may take your focus off the audience, it may also take your focus off your lines and your ability to become the character you are portraying.

What I always liked to do before I went onstage was to create a story about my character's life up until the moment I set foot on the stage. For example, last year I played a Civil War soldier sent to deliver a flag to the family of my friend who had been killed. So, before I went onstage, I would go through my own little story of how I was raised on a farm, what life was like before the war, how I joined, what life was like as a soldier, and anything else I could think of. This got me completely into the character so that I was able to become completely focused on the character and nothing else. In other words, my mind was too focused to be worried about the audience because, to me, there was no audience.

Once you're onstage, you might find it helpful to imagine a wall in between you and the audience. Nobody is "watching" you, you're just a character in a world interacting with other characters. The audience doesn't "see" you and you don't "see" them. You're just there, doing your own thing.

If you're doing a regular speech, or you're an actress doing a monologue, here's a little trick I learned. Instead of looking directly at the people in the seats, pick a point at the back of the room and stare at that point. Basically, you're going to be looking over everyone's heads but, to them, it will seem like you are looking directly at them.

Overall, being on stage is nothing to fear. It's your chance to shine and show a small portion of the world how great you are. I hope I've been helpful and enjoy your moment in the spotlight. Have fun!!

Answer 3

I'm not sure what it is exactly that you're doing on stage, so that makes it a little more difficult to answer. I can, however, help you with some tricks that I've learned as a jazz vocalist.

1) Look at different people's foreheads. I'm serious. Your audience will think that you are looking them in the eye and connecting with them, but you won't get thrown off by their facial expressions.
2) Remember that as a performer, you can be anything you want to be. Choose a personal strength that is appropriate for whatever you're doing and exploite it!
3) Have fun! If you are a performer, your job is to entertain. The more fun you have, the more fun your audience will have. The attitude and reactions of an audience tends to be a mirror of the performer.

Believe me. Stage fright is normal, but if being on stage, in any capacity, is what you want to do, throw yourself out there and keep doing it. The more you do it, the easier it gets. I promise.

Answer 4

Nervousness is hard to get over. I get nervous going up, my voice teacher gets nervous. There's not much you can do, really. Nervousness usually fades after the first minute or two. just make sure you know your stuff well and practice. There's no way to stop nervousness before hand. But you warm up after a while, same as everyone else. You'll do fine.

Answer 5

Well, it helps not not look anyone in the face, look just above the heads of everyone, so it still looks like your looking at them. About the silence try humming a favorite song right before you go on and as you walk up to your point until you're ready to speak/sing/etc. Also try practicing in the mirror over and over till you could do whatever in your sleep.

Answer 6

Listen to a song off of a mp3 player or cd player before you go out on stage. Make sure you know the words to the song. When you step out onto the stage, sing the song in your head. That will keep your mind focused on the song and not on the people in the audience.

Answer 7

If it is just the silence that is the problem, touch the backstage wall before you enter and from then on, be in character, regardless, until after exit.
And before the show practice being in character, after answering the question:
How does “my character” react to silence?
You can also, be a character, even if you are playing yourself. (Like giving a speech or something).

Answer 8

Hmm, I guess it depends what it's for...I get nervous if I have to get up and speak & I'm not sure what kind of advice to give you there....but, if it's for a stage production then just let yourself become the character you've been rehearsing to be...don't even think about the audience being there...

Answer 9

Take a deep breath, calm yourself, and then just do your thing. It'll all be over before you know it.

-Sketch

Answer 10

picture the crowd naked