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Question: How do I get over "special" nerves!?
I don't get nervous when acting at school or on stage in front of 300 people but I DO get nervous whenever I act in class at Centre Stage [my musical theatre classes!.] I don't have any symptoms except shaky legs and I don't know why!. It's JUST when I get in front of a small group of people and little kids and the directors!. But when I perform in front of the directors and 200 others I'm fine! I don't get it! How can I get my legs to stop shaking!? They just quake REALLY bad!. I think it's noticeable and think it holds me back!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I think the small crowd thing is true for most performers!. Intimate crowds are just somehow more intimidating! The best way to get over nerves is to be able to laugh at yourself!. Warm up the crowd with even just a hello, and their positive response should calm you a little!. Smiling and making eye contact with people smiling back usually helps me too!. If anything else, the best way to cope is not to try to stop it, but to just know that is is going to happen and deal with it that way!. My nervous tendency is feeling like I have to pee right before I go on; I know it's going to happen no matter how many times I use the restroom, I just have to remember that it's only nerves and will disappear as soon as I start performing!Www@QuestionHome@Com

There is something going on when you are at Centre Stage!. You are focusing differently!. I think you become aware of the directors rather than what you are doing on stage!. Get back into the part you are doing!. Concentrate as you do everywhere else!.
It has become so natural to you that you don't have stage fright anywhere else!. You have to find that at Centre StageWww@QuestionHome@Com