To Be or not to be, In ThE ScHoOl PlAy!?

Question:I am thinking about being in this years school play (for thoose who are illierate and didn't read the heading xD)

My talent would be singing but i am VERY unconfident when i think about proforming in from of a crowd od 300 minimum...

I think i can sing but i am worried what people will say and i would DIE if i overherd people talking negitively about me singing.

In a nutshell...I wanna sing but i am worried about what people might say...lol im not ussualy this insecure but its somthing i really one to do and I dont want to put a negitive view on what i love to do ^_^

Advice?
Thanks so much ^_^ Luna

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I am thinking about being in this years school play (for thoose who are illierate and didn't read the heading xD)

My talent would be singing but i am VERY unconfident when i think about proforming in from of a crowd od 300 minimum...

I think i can sing but i am worried what people will say and i would DIE if i overherd people talking negitively about me singing.

In a nutshell...I wanna sing but i am worried about what people might say...lol im not ussualy this insecure but its somthing i really one to do and I dont want to put a negitive view on what i love to do ^_^

Advice?
Thanks so much ^_^ Luna

Hi. 300 certainly sounds like a lot of people, but keep in mind that you'll know many of them as friends, teachers and parents, and they'll be your core of boosters (I bet some of your friends won't even consider being in the school play because they are even more petrified than you!). Usually, when someone tells you that you shouldn't do something "risky", like performing in front of crowds, they are really telling you something about their own insecurities, and really aren't helping you. If you love to sing--even if you aren't the most talented singer in the world--you have a right to try, so let it fly! The second-worst thing you could do is fail miserably, but the worst thing you could do is not to try. Perfect performances are rare, and we really don't see many of them even on network television, but we do like to see people try; that's what the attraction of reality tv is really all about.

When I was your age I had a little game I would play with myself. I would imagine myself as a 65-year-old, looking back on my life, and wondering if there would there be any instances which I would have done things differently. It lead me to trying some things which were outside of my comfort zone, and while I was terrible at many things (like water-skiing, omg), it allowed me to grow as a person.

Now, the performance itself: will there be lights on the stage? I've had the privilege of performing in ice shows across Canada, and I'll tell you, the lights can actually help you deal with crowd anxiety. If there are enough of them, you can't even see the crowd, so if you have a choice and want to put the crowd out of your mind, get the lighting crew to light up a few extra spots. Also, I knew a skater once who got very spooked by the sound of the crowd, so he warmed up for his performance by going to the deepest, darkest, quietest corner of the arena to warm up, and then went out to do his thing, and then left. Pop some headphones on and listen to some music that inspires you or gets you in your "happy place", then do your thing, suck up the applause, and head for the after-performance party.

And then, even if you think you were well below what you feel should be the standard for the performance, people will still respect you for your courage in getting up and giving it your all. There will always be Simons to rain on everyone's parades, no matter what you choose to do. It's up to you to decide how much time you're going to devote to worrying over that negative opinion.

You'll be fine. You'll do great, and the people who care about you will not rip you. Break a leg (remember, that just means "good luck").

Only way to find out is to audition. Seems a shame to hide your talent from others just because you are a little shy. Go for it. Whats the worst that could happen, (you don't get in) ..but the best that could happen is you might just find out how exciting it is to be able to entertain people.

I wouldn't worry too much about what other people say about your abilities. If that is what you want to do, be confident in your ability to do so, and don't let other people get you down if they do say mean things. Even if you're the best in the world, you will always have critics, especially in the performing arts circles I say do it, have fun, and allow yourself to be driven by your desire to do it, not the praise given to you.

Good luck in the audition!

Well, the fact is, you'll never what's going to happen if you don't audition. There'll be no point in worrying yourself if you aren't going to audition anyway. You shouldn't hide your talent from everyone else. If it's good enough for you, it should be good enough for the other people. Psych yourself up. (:

If you really want to perform, you won't care what people say.

If you've never performed in public, don't start by performing in front of 300 classmates. -- you'll choke up and embarrass yourself. Build confidence and poise by performing in front of smaller groups -- in church or karaoke events -- wherever you can. It's only by performing a LOT that people lose their fear of performing in front of large groups. Unless you do this, I promise you that thee sight of 300 kids, sitting in an auditorium, watching your every move will unhinge you. Start slow and build up to that.