Have you ever known a role backward and forward, only to forget the lines as soon as the spotlights come on? That’s stage fright, and although it can be devastating in the moment, it’s something you can overcome.
While it may seem counterintuitive, stage fright is a common experience — even for professional actors. The trick is learning the best strategies for quelling stage fright and giving a great performance regardless.
Whether you’re auditioning for a casting call or gearing up for a major performance, these tips can help you beat stage fright and wow your audience.
Get Over Stage Fright With Visualization Techniques
Visualization is a great mental trick many successful actors use to overcome stage fright. Before getting on stage, take some time to close your eyes and visualize success. Get as deep into the visualization as possible. Give your visualization vivid details.
What do you see looking at the audience? What do the stage lights feel like? How does your costume feel against your body? Then visualize yourself acing the part and give a knock-out performance.
More Practice, Less Worry
Nothing makes stage fright worse than not knowing your lines. Practice makes perfect, and it’s another great way to help deal with stage fright.
Practice your script until the words are drilled into your memory. To make this even more effective, practice in front of people so you get a feel for performing it. You’ll also build your confidence by performing your script in front of an audience.
Check Your Posture and Adjust
When we feel threatened, it’s natural for us to unconsciously hunch over and tense up.
When you experience stage fright, take a moment to notice the position of your body and correct your posture to a more confident, open stance. This sends a message to your brain that things are just fine and can help calm anxiety. You’ll be surprised at how quick you get over stage fright by making a quick adjustment to your posture.
In a nutshell, the secrets to overcoming stage fright are:
- Visualize a successful performance
- Practice often and in front of people
- Check your posture when you experience stage fright and adjust
These tips can help you defeat stage fright both before and while it happens, so make a point to practice them the next time you have an acting role or performance coming up that you’re concerned about.
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