Stage fright...help!?

Question:I am thinking about auditioning for a local musical, but i am terrified! I have never done anything like this before, and i have always suffered from a crippling case fo stage fright. I was in ballet most of my life, and had no problems performing in shows, but other than that, i'm a mess! I even threw up once when i had to give a speech in front of my class. But i'm in college now, and want to open up a little. However, i'm afraid my nerves may get the best of me. Can anyone help? I just want to know what auditions are usually like for musicals, and if anyone has any advice on how to overcome nerves! Thank you so much!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I am thinking about auditioning for a local musical, but i am terrified! I have never done anything like this before, and i have always suffered from a crippling case fo stage fright. I was in ballet most of my life, and had no problems performing in shows, but other than that, i'm a mess! I even threw up once when i had to give a speech in front of my class. But i'm in college now, and want to open up a little. However, i'm afraid my nerves may get the best of me. Can anyone help? I just want to know what auditions are usually like for musicals, and if anyone has any advice on how to overcome nerves! Thank you so much!

A couple of things have helped me:
First, plain old experience. The more you do it (perform or speak publicly) the less it seems foreign and scary. It becomes familiar to you and you get used to "managing" yourself in front of an audience.

Second, remember that you are giving them, the audience, a gift--whatever you have to offer, you want it to be the best that you can give. Rather than wanting their approval for a smashing performance, think of it more as you are in control of what you have to offer them. You are the giver, not the taker in this mindset.

I was told to all ways focus on one person in the audience you feel comfortable looking at. And think of them as nothing to you and your better than everyone.

Picture eveyone in their underwear- only joking ;-) take a deep breath and think its an aim you CAN achive and do your best and you'll feel more confident

Okay, first things first.

Do not think about messing up. Why? Because if you think about screwing up then you will. One thing I have learned about stage fright is that being scared is pointless. People want to see your talent and help you tone your skills. Remeber to have fun when you're trying out and don't hold back your talent. If you don't get the part, thank them anyways and just go on.

Another thing. If you still feel nervous, try praticing in front of the mirror, then with your friends and then, try doing it in front of your friends' friends. It acutally works.

I hope this help. Good luck!!

Take it from some one who has done theater practiccly all their life. it can be a little frighting at first, but you cant let your nerves over through the reason your there, to have a great audition and to have fun. dont think about the people watching you. and if you need to just focus on to a wall ahead of you, so that way it looks like your looking to the audience but you dont have to :)

GOOD LUCK!

There are techniques that can help you overcome your stage freight and go onto to do a fabulous performance. After all the show must go on!

Learn to deep breath from your diaphragm. You’ll often hear this called belly breathing. By deep breathing you send fresh air deep into your body and you exhale stale air which has a calming effect.

To tell if you are doing it correctly place your hands across your stomach so that you can feel your stomach expand and contract. You should also feel it through your back.

Even breathing is also a great technique to ground and relax you. To even breath you breath in and out exactly the same amount of times. So three breaths in, three breaths out. Any woman who has experienced labor will already have experience with this technique.

Alternate nostril breathing balances the nervous system. That’s because left nostril is connected to the parasympathetic nervous system while the right nostril is connected to the sympathetic nervous system.

Start by inhaling through both of your nostrils. Then block one nostril and breath out. Do this three times, and then switch nostrils and repeat three times. Repeat until you begin to feel the jitterbugs going away.

Another technique that works for many is a combination of deep breathing and visual. Do your deep breathing as described above, close your eyes and visualize a happy place. A warm beach with the sun beating and surf slapping against the shore, or your favorite flower. Whatever works for you. In only a few seconds you’ll feel your body and your nerves begin to relax.

So whether you are about to make that presentation to a group of co-workers, or you’re about to debut in your first theater performance, or you’ve been on the stage thousands of times these techniques will help.

Also, watch these...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uS9AjOvA...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce48eL-sg...

Hope this helps!

Jane Marie