How do I avoid "the shakes", both vocally and physically, when I'm

Question:I had an audition today for "One Night Only" from Dreamgirls...and though I was called for the second audition, I didn't do as well as I'd hoped. Any tips on improving for tomorrow?

Also, I my hands were shaking really bad and my voice shook too. I tried deep breaths but I couldn't calm myself.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I had an audition today for "One Night Only" from Dreamgirls...and though I was called for the second audition, I didn't do as well as I'd hoped. Any tips on improving for tomorrow?

Also, I my hands were shaking really bad and my voice shook too. I tried deep breaths but I couldn't calm myself.

First one must understand why the "shakes" occur in the first place. The shakes are caused by your fight or flight reponse. The body can not distiguish the difference between physical and psychological danger. Thats what causes it. The next step is physically take care of it. DO NOT take deep breaths in. Instead breath out twice as much as you breath in. Do two counts of breath out for every one you take in. It will relax you gaurenteed because it is the same process your body uses to put you to sleep. Also get lots of rest before performances, eat foods high in amino acids such as bananas. They act as beta blockers that slow your heart rate down. I hope this helps sorry its so lengthy.

Meditate, it really calms your body and mind. Meditate before and after your presenattions and before u go to bed.

...bottle of whisky....does the trick

Concentrate on relaxing thoughts like gentle streams or soft music.

dont be nervous... pratice like a crazy person so and get pumped to go on stage instead of nervous... just know everyones prolly nervous you just gotta do your best

Don't look at the audience, look straight into some romote area in your vision and try not to think about it. Good luck!
And that's a very powerful song. You're doing well, from what I can tell.

when i am performing because i am a dancer and a singer i just picture the audiance in there underware or as soon as i go on the stage i forget who's watching me or if u have a crush just picture them and think of themk that should probably help u.

Take a deep breathe through your mouth and breathe out through your nose whilst squeezing and opening your hands... Tried and tested!

from experience you really have relax and try and think your in a room by yourself. if you get the gig the stage lights will blind you so you wont be able to see the crowd anyway

Imagine everyone in the audience is naked....and you'll feel more confident because then they are the ones that should be embarrassed or nervous. Seriously this is a good trick they told us to use at Dale Carnegie for public speaking. Also do not make eye contact..look at a point above their heads.

It sounds like nerves. The more you do it the less the shakes will come. I always thought about other things as I did my speeches. good luck

do "rag doll"

Stretch high up to the ceiling, with every thing in your body stretched, your mouth, eyes, fingers, etc.

then drop your wrists and let them hang limp. then drop at your elbows. then your arms should fall all the way down to the sides. and then fall over at your waist (dont fall on the ground) just hang for for a little. then slowly come up, one vertebrae at a time. the last thing to come up should be your neck/head.
take lots of deep breaths too. just remember: there's no reason to be nervous. just be yourself and do the best you can be. who cares what people think of you. just pretend they're not there.

good luck !!!!!!!! =]]

ok I am not a performer but I do know some tricks. Don't tell the pepole, " I am nervous" because they will think you do that all the time and you wont get hired. just picture yourself in there with know one else. it is just you. if it helps put in ear plugs!

Ya know its funny. I met Mathew Brodrick (Feris Bueller) a while back, and I asked him if he still gets the shakes before he performs ( because he is in ALOT of broadway shows ). He said everytime. "Its just that one moment when you take a deep breath and know that your doing what you love"

Most performers get the jitters in one form or another. I suggest that you look toward the person furthest from you and focus just above their heads.

Sometimes during auditions that happens because of nervousness and if you worry or if you are distracted. Some tips are to not think about anything else, and focus on your voice. If you focus on your voice then you won't have to focus on anything else. Also if your voice is shaking try breathing through your nose and back out your mouth, that might help.

Go in with the attitude that you DESERVE this. Yes, be cocky. Obviously you shouldn't talk about it like that to the other people... Just in your head... Anyway if you sing while thinking that you're Whitney Houston's voice coach and that these people are simply PRIVILEGED to hear you sing, then you won't be nervous because you feel like you don't need to impress them.

you might be epileptic and react to the limelight that way... go see your local surgeon immediately... hope this helps