Email: Suffer with stage fright, audition for theatres. (US)
Sounds like me! Still feel quite uncomfortable in large crowds or being in the spotlight. Participated in dancing, quiz competitions in school/college. Felt so shy, nervous all the time, crazy! Still try to display confidence while feeling a bit haywire inside!
The first step in mastering stage fright is to understand the kind of problem we’re dealing with? Performance anxiety doesn’t actually involve a stage, at all. It’s a limiting, negative emotion/mindset, without a real cause. This fear controls our growth, desires, possibilities, choices.
Rather, re-direct focus on igniting our passion for creative freedom (wherever we are, not just the stage). No-one is immune to performance anxiety, even the best. Mentally, treat it as a great challenge rather than a perceived threat.
Find ways to centre, balance, empower, calm self before any performance. Silence gives strength. Remind self our emotions, artistic expressions are much more important than self (share our gifts). Channel our inner strength, new bursts of radiant, positive energy!
Expect, accept we’ll feel anxious at first. That’s OK. It’s OK to make mistakes. Be natural, acceptance is key. Focus is on building a resilient attitude, self-esteem with belief in self. Seek support/counselling on fear management, guidance online. Be patient, compassionate with self. Stop scaring self with thoughts about what might go wrong! Instead, focus attention on thoughts of touching our wildest dreams!
Visualise success! Believe it will happen, just the way it’s meant to be…