Overcome your stage fright

All the world’s a stage where kings and minstrels come and go.  —  Anthony Newley

It is said that one of the biggest fears of mortals (next to the fear of dying) is speaking or performing in front of an audience. Most of us become a bunch of nerves just thinking of facing that huge crowd, standing there vulnerable to their merciless scrutiny and criticism.

We become conscious of each of our little personal insecurities (pimples, wrinkles, receding hairline, being overweight, etc.), oftentimes magnifying them, thereby escalating the imagined fear in our minds. We get so worried that we might forget our lines, mess up our performance, and make a total fool of ourselves.

It is important to realize that it is natural for anyone to suffer from a certain degree of nervousness. The problem is when we allow it to take the better of us and end up with a nerve-wracked, unsatisfactory performance.

Here are some tips on how you can walk on that stage with greater confidence, deliver an effective performance, and captivate your audience.

Preparing For The Performance

• Prepare your speech or act thoroughly. Make an outline of your vision and write it down. Prepare a grabbing entrance and make sure to build up the speech or act towards a glorious climax.

• Memorize only the essential parts. What is important is for you to know the meaning and context of the act or speech so that you can effortlessly ad lib in case you forget the real lines.

• Practice, practice, practice. Go through the whole act from beginning to end, imagining the audience’s reaction. Do this over and over again. Practice makes perfect.

• Make a checklist of what you need and get everything together. Make sure you have the right papers, musical arrangements, computer graphic presentations, support equipment, costumes, whatever.

• Have a dress rehearsal. There’s nothing like being accustomed to what you’ll be wearing and feeling comfortable in it. Wear good shoes. If you have costume changes, time them and make sure you are ready when your cue to be onstage is up.

• Familiarize yourself with the venue. Go to the performance place beforehand and survey the stage, sit in the audience area, and get yourself acquainted with the space you’ll be working in.

• Have a technical rehearsal. Check that all microphones, props, and other instruments you’ll be using are in order.

• Get a critique from someone you trust. Ask someone who is knowledgeable and brutally frank and can really tell you how your performance is. Do the whole act or speech in front of some friends and solicit constructive comments.

On Performance Day

• Make sure to get plenty of rest before your performance. Get a good night’s sleep and build up your energy for your act.

• Look at your checklist and make sure you have everything you need. It is best to have an assistant attend to these details.

• Don’t be rushed or get harassed during the day of the show. Go to the venue early — give allowance for traffic.

• Vocalize. Do your vocal exercises and work your diaphragm to enhance your voice and ascertain your vocal placement.

• Check technical details before the show. Better yet, as mentioned before, get an assistant to do that for you.

If you feel nervous or afraid, pretend you are not. Project that you are sure and confident so that no one would suspect you feel afraid. Actually, a little bit of tension and excitement can spark up and enliven an act. That seemingly negative nervous energy can be turned around to give an electrifying performance.

• If nerves bother you, try relaxing techniques. To calm your nerves down, do some deep breathing and visual imaging (imagine a calm lake or a refreshing, flowing river).

• When you get on stage, put yourself in control. You are in command so do your very best. You are the captain of the ship; everybody else just watches and listens.

• Communicate, communicate, communicate! You are onstage to get something across to your audience. Communicate by using picture words, emotional vocal inflections, vocal acting, and gestures.

• Enunciate. Make sure your audience understands you and your message.

• Put passion into your act. Infuse a little fire and a lot of convincing enthusiasm to bring your audience to great heights.

• Win them. Cajole, charm, and captivate your audience. Work for a standing ovation.

• Prepare some clever quips for nasty hecklers, if needed. Don’t take distractions personally; shift the audience’s attention to something more interesting. Have a few ready jokes to humor up the crowd.

• If something goes wrong (like a technical problem), relax. Think of a quick solution to divert the audience’s interest, and make the best out of the situation.

• Think of your performance as a celebration. Be generous with your talents and gifts. Remember that you are sharing a knowledge or skill that is supposed to entertain others and enhance their lives.

The more ready and prepared you are for your performance, the less nervous and apprehensive you will be. And, consequently, your act or speech will be more flawless, effective, and unforgettable!

* * *

For your comments on this article, e-mail DeroSeminar@yahoo.com.