Overcome Stage Fright

In some ways, overcoming stage fright in a performance is very similar to overcoming nervousness in an audition. By far the most important way to avoid stage fright is to be fully prepared. If you are worried about blocking, remembering your lines, what scene comes next, choreography, etc, then who could blame you for being afraid? Put in the time and effort early on in the rehearsal process and you will feel more confident about your abilities.

Keeping yourself organized offstage can go a long way to avoiding panic as well. If you have a large role, keeping a chart of your responsibilities over the course of the show will keep you focused on what you have to do next.

Having butterflies before a performance is normal for all performers, even professionals, but if you have done everything you can to prepare and keep yourself organized and stage fright is still a serious problem, I think it is important to really think about why it is you continue to perform. Obviously there must be something you enjoy about it or you wouldn't continue - so concentrate on that, and try to address what specifically is making you nervous.

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Links to More Stage Fright Tips

Stage Fright Strategies

Comments (1) >>

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written by Allie, January 01, 2008

One time in a show I had to wear a huge heavy fifteen-pound faux-fur coat, and I often became overheated. So, of course, I got stage fright that I was going to pass out in the middle of the stage. So, a few friends and I worked out a system. When I slap a kid in the head (don't worry, I was a villian!) it meant I was getting overheated. Then one of my costars would adjust her bowtie, then the stagehand (a.k.a. my teacher) would get a chair and a huge bottle of water ready. It totally works and no one in the audience noticed!

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