How do I get rid of my terrible stage fright?

Question: How do I get rid of my terrible stage fright!?

Ever since I could remember I've been very shy!. I can chit chat with people about the weather, but I'm not what you would call eccentric!. The problem is my secret dream job is to be an actress, and I know it's highly unlikely, but it is a thought!. How can I get rid of my horrible stage fright and devlop my acting further!? Any help!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

There are A LOT of well known actors and performers who experience stage freight!. You are not alone!.

First you need to do relaxation excercises!.
It's part of an acting method!. Go from your toes to your head, every night, telling each body part to relax!. Think of your favorite color, favorite smell, and favorite time of day!. Imagine you are in that time of day!.
If you practice these relaxation techniques long enough, you can recall them when you want to!. All I have to do is think of a color and it relaxes me because everytime I see it I go back to that place that I practiced!.

When it comes to acting, you need to forget about yourself!. How you do that is to PREPARE-- to prepare to become engrossed in the character you are playing!. Find out how the person (role) you are playing moves, how they talk, what they are thinking when another person is talking to them!. Become that person, moment to moment while you are on stage!. Be so into your character that it is not 'you' but them while you are performing!. I believe that is why a lot of actors become actors, because they 'escape' from themselves for a bit!.

If none of that works, you can take some acting classes (take them anyway) as in class you are expected to mess up, make mistakes, and you will get positive feedback how to work differently and not "get in your own way"!. It is a safe place to practice getting used to performing and talking in front of people who are at the same level of learning as you are!. I'm sure they'll be a few in the class who are just as nervous!.

You CAN DO IT!. :)

Have fun!

PS Dale Carnegie workshops are amazing at helping people overcome stage fright!. They are not acting classes but esteem and public speaking classes, the skills can be used in acting!. Google to find a class near you!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

One of the reasons you have stage fright is because you are outside your comfort zone!.
Keep throwing yourself into acting situations, take classes, do student films, community theatre for example!. The more you do it, the more comfortable you will feel!.
It's also a mental thing!. You can program yourself to feel more comfortable, but it takes time and practice and the results are different for everyone!.
Have a look at this page on my site for new and aspiring actors!. It is specifically about how to get over stage fright!.
http://www!.actingcareerstartup!.com/how_t!.!.!.

Good luck!

TonyWww@QuestionHome@Com

You need to figure out whether you're afraid of people or afraid of yourself!. If it's the people you're afraid of, try putting yourself out there!. Start taking the microphone on Karoke night!. Or if it's yourself, maybe you just need to boost your confidence a little!. You can get over this, I've seen it before!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

all right!. listen carefully and listen good!. First of all, what exactly are you afraid of!? The people that are watching you, or messing up!? Well, think of it this way, the only way you are going to mess up is if you dont try your best, a!.k!.a if you're scared!. So remember that the people in the audience are here for a good show, and they'll only laugh if you're nervous because you have to trust yourself and trust that you'll do good and you'll be the best!. Breathe a few times, deep breaths, and close your eyes and imagine yourself up there!. If there's someone backstage with you or before you go up, get a hug-it usually calms yor nerves and always know that the people arent there to laugh at you, they are there to watch a great performance, which of course you'll give them! :]Www@QuestionHome@Com

i'm a cheerleading!.!. not an actress haha but hey i have to be on stage sometimes too! and i used to be very scared to perform!.!. so what i started to do was pretend i was in a box!. it sounds weird!.!. but its true!. i put myself in a mental box and i do my thing in the box!. no one can see me, and it's whatever!. obviously i look at the judges and smile or whatever!.!. but i stay in my box! haha its weird!.!. but try it!. i hope this helps!. =)Www@QuestionHome@Com

"I can chit chat with people about the weather, but I'm not what you would call eccentric!. "

I have no idea what that means!.

I dont think you can get rid of stage fright!. I have the same problem!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

if being very, very well prepared doesn't do it, you could try hypnosis!. If you are doing what an actor is supposed to be doing on the stage, you will not have time to think about yourself and get nervous!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Look at only one chair that is empty or look at an object in the back of the auditorium!. It will make you feel like you are all alone!. Its just like yourself practicing alone in your room!. Its only you! I hope that helps!! :)Www@QuestionHome@Com

i used to have it bad, till i finally figured out that i can't always be afraid!.!.!.of what!? what people think of me!? of making a mistake!? things happen, it's called "LIFE", it happens, you get over it, and you move on with your life!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

well if you mess up, there's always a way to make things better!. like if you forget a line, just skip to the next part or make something up that makes sense!. it works, trust me!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

PRACTICE IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Read True and False by David Mamet!. It has some great ideas on the topic!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You just have to do it!. It never goes away unless you practice:)
Practice, practice, practice!!!Www@QuestionHome@Com

practice infront of your family or the mirrorWww@QuestionHome@Com

relax about itWww@QuestionHome@Com

practice something anything then get all your best friends and say it in front of themWww@QuestionHome@Com

u cant u can only minimize itWww@QuestionHome@Com