Recently I checked in my advice box and found this request: How to not be scared to perform by myself in front of judges.
Dear “Stage Fright,”
Just about everyone who performs onstage experiences some level of stage fright, even after years of a professional career. Unfortunately, there is no solution that will make nerves disappear completely. However, there are many techniques to help you manage and lessen your anxiety over performing alone. Here are a few that might help you out:
- Create a routine. Doing the same things in the same order before every audition can make the experience feel familiar and less intimidating. This could include vocal warmups, stretching, picking an outfit, eating a certain food, or running through the material one more time.
- Try deep breathing immediately before going onstage. There are many different relaxation methods, such as box breathing and 3-3-3 breathing, that can help clear your mind and calm you down. Try out a few and see which ones work best for you.
- Remind yourself that the judges aren’t there to embarrass you. They want to see your skills and potential, not catch you making mistakes. Auditions aren’t about being perfect.
- If you make mistakes while you’re performing, just move on. Once something happens, you can’t change it. The best thing to do is move forwards and stay focused on the rest of the performance.
- Practice until you feel confident in yourself. Try running through your lines/songs a few times in front of a small group or person that you know well. Getting used to people watching you perform can make real performances feel much less nerve-wracking.
No pressure, no names–just an honest buzz. If you need advice click here.
Until next time,
Bee-atrice! … Bzzz
