How to handle stage-fright?

Question

Well, I had to do a presentation in front of class confronting an argument.

I got up and started talking, looking around and trying to speak my best. My partner didn't go up with me.

My voice got all shaky and I started sweating.

Later other people from the other group got up and were very relaxed and had such confidence. A girl was teasing me by getting up and acting all shakey.

I was more confident than how I used to be, but I didn't expect my partner to abandon me. I don't like it when I'm not prepared.

How can I handle stage-fright? What do the actors do?

One of the other presenters was an actor, of course she was extremely confident amoung the eyes and thoughts of people.

Thanks ;)

Answer 1

Believe me, I know the feeling! lol One of the first times I ever did anything was on a sitcom way back in the 80's called "Spencer", and I was an extra in a classroom scene. The same thing happened to me when we were rehearsing. Then the extras casting director came up and said, "Alan, you look great up there, but you look really really nervous". OMFG you have no idea.... that just made me sweat like crazy and even felt like my heart was going to explode!!! But not to worry, that can be easily overcome, and I did for sure. You will become really comfortable just by doing it over and over.

And remember to just have FUN with it. Acting and singing is so so much major fun when you are confident and relaxed. And to get paid for it??? Give me a break!!

But here are a few tips.....

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Many of the top entertainers in the world say they've gotten stage fright, so don't feel as if stage fright only happens to you. Famous people who are known to have suffered from serious stage fright include Barbra Streisand, Donny Osmond, Kim Basinger, and even Sir Laurence Olivier.

Stage fright symptoms are probably caused by adrenalin (a.k.a. epinephrine), which is a hormone commonly associated with fear. When the brain perceives danger or a stressful situation arises, adrenalin starts pumping, and anxiety increases.

Symptoms of stage fright include:

* A general feeling of anxiety before, or during, the beginning of a speech or presentation.
* Cold hands, sweating hands, or shaky hands.
* Dry mouth.
* Fast pulse.
* Nausea.
* Rapid Breathing
* Shaky knees.
* Tight throat.
* Trembling lips.

Stage fright, and the symptoms that go with it, lessen as you become more accustomed to speaking in front of groups of any size, but even veteran public speakers agree it never goes away completely. So if you're going to enjoy any success making a presentation you have to learn to control stage fright to some degree.

To the best of our knowledge, no one has ever died as a result of stage fright. But you can find plenty of surveys that say most people would rather die than give a speech. If that sounds like you, follow some of the advice and strategies below.

1) Comfort yourself in the knowledge that even veteran speakers get stage fright. If it happens of Barbra Streisand and Kim Basinger, what do the rest of us have to be ashamed of?

2) Understand that a little stage fright is actually good. It gets your adrenalin going--and that will help you keep your energy level up. That's a good thing.

3) Build your confidence with rehearsals. If you practice, practice and practice some more, you'll eventually feel so comfortable with your material that you won't stress out about the possibility of embarrassing yourself.

4) Visualize success. See yourself doing well. Imagine audience members applauding and coming up to you afterward to pat you on the back and shake your hand.

5) Don't visualize failure. Avoid dwelling on any bad speaking experiences you've had in the past. And don't think about disasters suffered by people you know.

6) Remember some important basics. Be well rested and relaxed, arrive early, check out any audio visual equipment well in advance,

You can't always eliminate stage fright and nervousness all together, and as I pointed out in Tip Number 2, you probably don't want to. But you don't want it to paralyze you either.

Follow the steps above and you find that going on stage is no longer something to fear.

Answer 2

There is an old trick. Picture the audience in their underwear. Imagine the silliest, funniest underwear and that should help relieve your stage-fright. Something else to remember, an audience really wants to like you. More often than not, the audience members have a touch of stage fright too. so they are already on your side.

Answer 3

Get relaxed and go out their and just talk.. imagine everyone in their underwear.. dont give a **** of what they have to think of you.. stage fright is a mental block that overloads your brain to think that you have to be perfect and you want everyone to like you, not everyone is gona like you, ya know

Answer 4

see in front but dont make direct eye contact with anybody ,all people r like u only ,make sure in heart that they are not ur enemies ,just think ur talking n sharing ur views with ur friends.