You have been practicing for weeks. You know the words by heart, and every note is perfect. You are ready for anything. Before you know it, the day finally comes. Step by step, you make your way to the center of the stage. The lights are beaming in your face, blinding you. Eventually, your vision comes back into focus. Behind the lights, you see them: people, more than you can count. The crowd can see right through you. They are watching you, judging you. You freeze, your palms begin to sweat, and your mind goes blank. All the work you accomplished to get here has disappeared in a cloud of dust. You have succumbed to stage fright. It is a common fear that performers struggle with. The question is, how do you overcome it?
1. Get Acquainted With the Venue
Performing in an unfamiliar place is always intimidating. It's always good to get acquainted with the location before showtime. This can be done by visiting the venue you will be performing at, examining the size of the seating area (or as they call it in showbiz, the house), and taking some time to stand on the stage with no one watching. This will help mentally prepare you by making you familiar with the space which you will be performing in.
2. Ease Your Way Into It
You can also ease your stage fright by practicing in front of smaller crowds before the actual performance. You can start out by performing in front of your parents, or a friend. After that, perform for a group of friends, then a larger group. Work your way up to the big crowd. If you go head first into a larger crowd, then you will end up being overwhelmed. Don't absorb more than you can handle.
3. Take It On
The hardest, yet simplest, way overcome stage fright is just confronting it. The first performance is nerve-racking for even professional performers. After your first time performing in front of an audience, it gets easier. You will eventually get used to crowds and find the confidence that was scared out of you the first time. Do not let the nerves of your first performance scare you out of ever performing again. Trying new things is always hard, but it is not the end of the world. Therefore, you can say a prayer and confront your fear, head-on.
Stage fright is quite the monster. All performers experience it at some point, and it's hard to overcome, but you can do it. It will not be easy, but it is never impossible. You can overcome this fear, and you will do amazing. Now, go out there and show them what you are made of.
