Strategies for Removing Stage Fright
- Stage fright can be your friend.Briony Campbell/Lifesize/Getty Images
Psychologist Lubna Somjee said in an MSNBC Mental Health article, "A little bit of stress, a little bit of anxiety actually makes you a little sharper." It's true. If you remember your sleepiest lecture in high school, the lecturing teacher did not have a worry in the world. If you struggle with stage fright in front of an audience, you can learn to channel your nervous energy into your performance, giving you the creative edge you need. Running from stage fright only makes it worse. Embracing stage fright will allow your performance to rise to new heights. - No matter your purpose for standing in front of a crowd, your best strategy is to walk onstage with the full assurance that you have done your homework. You should know the topic, the script, the score, whatever it is, inside and out, backwards and forwards. Even if you are thrust on stage for an impromptu occasion with little or no time to prepare, take as much time as you can--even 10 seconds--to quiet your mind, gather your thoughts, and remind yourself to remain focused.
- Stage fright is the state of being unfocused. Imagine that sick feeling in your gut, the total vacuum in your head, the ringing ears, tight throat, shaky limbs and dull senses. You are focused on everything except the one purpose for which you are standing there. Now imagine pulling yourself toward one physical point of focus, which might be your belly, breathing, diaphragm, heart, head or your hands.
You might call this point your "center," which is a temporary gathering place for your thoughts, emotions and energy. Many people focus on slow, steady breathing. Singers often focus on a firm, supported diaphragm. Choose a focal point that represents the strength and core of your performance. - When you are tempted to feel afraid or insecure on stage, don't allow your thought process to fail. Instead, embrace the nervousness by saying to yourself, "I'm feeling nervous. That's OK. It's a good reminder to focus on my breathing" (or whatever is your center). Be grateful for the nervousness that will actually improve your performance. The day you are not nervous at all is the day you could deliver a boring performance.
- After turning your thoughts away from fright and focusing it toward your center, channel this energy into action through your voice, body or instrument. It's as simple as saying, "I recognize those feelings of fright. Instead of falling to pieces, I choose to use that energy to sharpen my performance."
- Many performers get stage fright when they look into people's eyes in the audience, especially when they perceive that someone to be intimidating. If you struggle with this problem, find a neutral place for your gaze, such as slightly over the back row. But don't lock your eyes in one place; keep them moving over the entire crowd so you do not appear to exclude anyone.
- Stage fright is often devastating when the unexpected happens on stage. Prepare for the unexpected by imagining the worst case scenarios beforehand. For example, suppose you are giving a multimedia presentation and the computer crashes. You might have a portfolio of jokes or stories to tell while the computer reboots.
Know that you cannot prepare for every catastrophe. Suppose that during the quietest part of your performance somebody drops a glass pitcher on the tiled floor. Don't let your thoughts shatter like the glass. It's a simple reminder to refocus. This is the unexpected moment for which you have prepared. Tell a joke, use the incident to humorously illustrate your point, or ignore it if that seems most appropriate. Be thankful for the shattered glass. It is an excellent reminder to recollect your creative energy and sharpen your performance.
