HELP!!!! Up coming play, extreme nervousness.?

Question

Hi,
At my school, we are doing Judgement and Nuremburg, and I play a lead role as Colonel Parker. This is my first school play and i am a freshmen. I have acted before, however at our school Drama is important, and im becomeing realy nervous. I believe i am on the point of hystaria. help, i need help relaxing. any ideas.


ps. i find i play my charachter spactacular when im not nervous.
how can i relax.

my God, thanks for all the help guys. you are truly amazing.

Answer 1

just chill and relax homie! kick it one time on the stage and bring honor to the VIP crew!

Answer 2

You're nervous because you're afraid of failing -- of not being good enough.

So, do the preparation work that's required. Don't just learn your lines "well enough," learn them thoroughly and to the point where you don't have to think about what comes next. Do the detail work to identify which words you'll emphasize, and how certain lines will be inflected -- and make these choices part of your memorization work.

Here's something a lot of actors don't realize, and which acting teachers rarely mention: When the audience sits down in the theatre, they're already in a good mood because they want to be there. In other words, when the curtain goes up, you do NOT have any kind of uphill battle to deal with. If you're spot-on and doing your job correctly, your success is guaranteed.

The wonderful thing about theatre is that the only thing you have to do to give the audience a good performance is to give them a good performance! And to do that you show up at the theatre on opening night having done all your work ahead of time -- you've exhaustively prepared yourself, so you can relax and enjoy giving the performance.

Think of it this way: When the curtain goes up, the last thing the audience wants to see is an actor standing onstage looking petrified. Think about it -- would YOU want to see such a thing? No, the audience wants to get drawn into the story, so give them that -- do the storytelling.

The other thing that is highly advisable is to have the mindset that you don't matter at all, not one bit. You're not there to be entertained or coddled or pitied -- you're there to tell a story to the audience. So focus on the play, and serve it -- force your nerves to go sit in the corner, because their presence is not required.

Finally, there's one more thing you need to do -- ignore the audience completely. Don't even think about them. This is where that whole "fourth wall" thing came from, because the worst thing you can do is critique your performance WHILE you're giving it! Never ever second-guess yourself onstage or even look back -- a performance can only move forward. The only time you need to be concerned with what the audience is doing is when you're in a comedy and need to pause for laughs.

So go out there opening night and be part of the play's world. Concern yourself only with what the other actors are doing -- do NOT worry about whether the audience is enjoying the play or not, although obviously you want to be at the top of your form.

Sorry for being so long-winded, but I hope this all helped.

Answer 3

Try this: Remember always that we act because it is fun. Acting is called playing and playing is fun. So every rehearsal and every performance is an opportunity to play and have fun. Look forward to each one of these events with joy because you are going to play and have fun. You already know that you can do the roll well, so you don't have to worry about that. And of course, your character is not nervous, so when you are in character, you are not nervous either. Don't let yourself get between the character and the performance. Stay in character! Exercise such as a short aerobic workout, tends to burn off nervous energy and help one relax. But the heck with the big deal about drama at school, you are going to have fun. If you do have fun, and lots of it, you will be spectacular!

Answer 4

Breath. In through your mouth, out through your nose. Slowly. Imagine the tension and fear flowing out of you through your arms to your finger tips. Keep breathing. Close your eyes. Listen to my voice whisper in your ear as the tension flows from your fingers. " You will be wonderful. It is your gift to act this part. You will become Colonel Parker as you enter the stage".
Repeat until it is time to go on. A little nervous is a good thing, it make the adrenaline flow, makes the memory sharper and keeps you on your toes!
Break a leg!

Answer 5

before i do an audition, i get really nervous. i think the best thing to do is breathing exercises. they help me calm down a lot. just try to kinda clear your mind and focus on the breathing. inhale for 3 sec. and let the air go to your stomach rather than chest. hold for 3 sec. then exhale for 5 sec.

Answer 6

BREATH BREATH BREATH! It doesn't seem like good advice, but it is EXTREMELY important. Remember to stay calm and get your mind off it. Imagine actors and actresses doing this everyday! Sure, they get used to it, so after this play do a couple more and your nervousness will go away.

Answer 7

You should probably get some extra sleep. Practice with a friend or someone who won't fool around. Someone who will keep you on track and encourage you.

Answer 8

imagine the audience is naked. It makes you feel less stressed, and makes you feel superior, cuz soon u start beiliveing yourself and u think that the poeple actaully r naked. intresting techinique, but it works.

Answer 9

this is how i think of nervousness, you're character isn't nervous, and if you're completely in character then you shouldnt be nervous either....thats what i think, i mean if you really know your character then you know that he is not nervous. =]