Stage Fright? Fear Not!
Happy Thursday, actors! So, you dream of basking in bright spotlights? Standing in front of thunderous applause? Pouring your heart out onstage? We all do from time to time … but when that moment comes, an ever present stage fright comes knocking on your door. But fear not!
We all face this universal fear which causes us to chug water, rush to the bathroom, and start praying. However, with a few tips and lots more experience, we can learn to coexist with that fear. So, join Aura Casting and let’s dive in!
Embrace the Butterflies: I once heard the extremely sage advice that “being nervous means you care, and that’s a good thing.” As an actor, you need to be fully invested in the story which you are telling. Sounds obvious, but we often try to diminish the importance of our looming performance. Instead, embrace the significance of pursuing your passion and lean into those storytelling abilities. You not only share the stage with other actors, but nerves as well. We all universally feel those butterflies,
Practice, Practice, Practice: If “luck is when preparation meets opportunity”, then we better prepare for luck. Take away the inflection and recite your lines until you fully understand the text. By doing so, you may prevent falling into practiced patterns! You can also avoid this trap by singing through them instead or delivering in a monotone voice (only for solo practice of course!). Additionally, you can write out your lines, record them, or use a friend as an active scene partner. Fully commit to scheduled rehearsals and practice on your own time as well, the work doesn’t stop just because rehearsal does!
Visualize Success: Take a moment to close your eyes and visualize yourself absolutely killing it on stage. Picture total connection with your scene partner, an exciting chase after your objective, and a standing ovation to top it all off! Visualization is a powerful tool that can help boost your confidence and calm your nerves. The more you visualize success, the more likely it is to become a reality.
Use Relaxation Techniques: Incorporate relaxation techniques into your pre-performance routine to calm your nerves. Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization exercises can all help alleviate anxiety. You can purposefully tense muscles and then fully release them for a satisfying relaxation or incorporate a pre-show workout. Find what works best for you and make it a part of your pre-show ritual. A calm mind leads to a confident performance.
Embrace Imperfection: Let's face it – nobody's perfect, and that's perfectly okay! Embrace the fact that there may be small mistakes or slip-ups during your performance. It's all part of the experience. Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, focus on how you can keep moving forward and deliver a memorable performance despite any hiccups along the way.
Celebrate Your Success: After you've conquered the stage, take a moment to celebrate your success. Whether it's treating yourself to a delicious meal, indulging in some self-care, or simply basking in the glow of accomplishment, make sure to acknowledge and reward yourself for performing in the face of fear.
Remember, nerves cannot begin to comprehend your immense talent and hardwork! You know what you bring to a day on set or a night at the theatre, embrace it and break a leg! Want more Aura Casting resources? Click here!
Written by Whitney Hisako Moore
