I'm in a musical, and i'm the lead role. how do i get rid of those opening night jitters?

Question

The lead role?!?! i'm so nervous. any tips on how to stop being nervous??

Answer 1

Be well prepared for your role, and remember the people in the audience are only people - just like you :)

Answer 2

Even the pros get nervous on opening night so take that in to consideration and know you are not alone. Somewhere, some other show is opening up and their lead is nervous too. Then go out there and do it! You have been rehearsing forever (it feels like, I'm sure) you know your parts and guess what? You are only human, you can make a mistake, lights can blow, the techies can screw up...but will any of it stop the show? No. How you handle it all is what defines you as an actor/actress and are you the kind of performer that the director/producer/choreographer/musical director can depend on?
The lead role? Congratulations. You probably had to audition and that you are the lead means that you have something special above everyone else. Now get out there, break a leg and knock them dead!!!

Answer 3

Be as prepared as you can be and see if you can get friendly rehearsal audiences :-) We've always had what we call 'previews' where the director has us invite friends and family to watch specified rehearsals. It gives the cast and crew a friendly audience to practice in front of. The audience know ahead of time that mistakes will likely occur, and it's ok with them. AND they're your friends and family so they'll be supportive and hopefully honest so you can get some good constructive criticism. The more you rehearse, especially with an audience, the less nervous you will be.

If you're still nervous before a show, stop and do a relaxation exercise. Breathe deeply, meditate, do something that will relax your body a few minutes before you go on.

Break a leg!

Answer 4

It's different for every actor, but some things I do- I show up as early as they will let me- at least an hour and a half or more- so I can get ready at my leisure. In some spaces, I will go out and walk to stage before the house opens, just to kind of get centered there and remind myself of my surroundings w/ out an audience. If the space is one my character knows well, i try to find some little new thing about it- something I had not noticed before- I find it helps me feel more in touch w/ the room as "mine".
I usually have a play list of songs that seem to evoke the character for me (not from the time perios necessarily, but just the essence) and I will listen to them as I prepare.
Breathing excercises are great because they not only help you calm down, but are a good way to center your voice. Warm up vocally very thouroughly, and most of all, just rely on all the good prep you did before hand.
One teacher i had called the time you were out on stage "the red mist"- in that you are not really thinking (hopefully) about you, but are immersed in the character's circumstance. That, for me, is the best part about acting- those moments where you can't see where you end and the character begins...
Break a leg. Trust yourself.

Answer 5

As an experienced actress, I can say that those opening night jitters aren't going to go away! But whenever you go out onstage you will feel comfortable and director obviously knows that or they wouldn't have cast you as the lead role if they thought you couldn't handle it!

Answer 6

imagine that you are in rehearsals running the full show. dont think about the audience. become your character, not just someone on a stage being someone. for that evening, you ARE your character. and relax! you got the lead role for a reason. you should be proud.

Answer 7

When you studied acting, what did your acting teacher recommned for getting rid of Opening Night Jitters? Use it!

Answer 8

practice, practice, practice