Like many other aspiring performers, you may be eager to grasp every possible opportunity to take to the stage. Whether you’re playing with a band, singing in a concert, performing in a school show or just singing karaoke, each performance will help you to develop and grow into a confident and talented performing artist.
However, for many aspiring performers, taking to the stage for the first time can be a far from comfortable experience. As the big day comes around and the pressure increases to deliver a performance for everyone to be proud of, the nerves can set-in and jeopardise your chances of success.
Over the years, I’ve prepared hundreds of people of all ages for their first performing experience and it is very unusual to find someone who does not experience some nerves. In fact, it is generally agreed in the profession that a few nerves can give a performance the edge. Feeling nervous is a symptom of our body’s reaction to the anticipation of going on stage and increased levels of adrenaline. This often makes us feel more alert and energetic which can be beneficial to your performance.
We get problems when we lose control of our nervousness and, as a result, feel insecure about performing and vulnerable in front of an audience. I’ve seen performers react to nerves with fits of panic, crying, extreme embarrassment and even tantrums! So, it’s crucial for any inexperienced performers taking to the stage to know how to control their nerves.
If you’re preparing for a performance and you know you are susceptible to nerves, there are a few techniques you can learn to keep your cool when you tummy starts to tumble:
Technique # 1: Breathing
When you feel the nerves beginning to kick-in, an important way to take control and stay confident is to think about your breathing. The best breathing technique to use in this case is the same technique as taught to singers and actors preparing their voices for the stage. This involves breathing diaphragmatically (deep inhalation). Not only do you take more air into the body with this breathing technique but you also slow you breathing down which helps to settle your nerves and prevent you from getting worked-up before going on stage.
Technique # 2: Preparation
The phrase, ‘prior preparation prevents poor performance’ is so overused but it’s so true! There is nothing worse for your nerves than also worrying about remembering your lines or falling over on a particular dance move or singing the correct harmony. So make sure you’ve rehearsed and practiced until you’re confident that you’re good to go. Last minute practice causes last minute panic and altogether you’ll be getting more nervous by the second.
Technique # 3: Connection
Watch any respected professional performer and think about what might be going through their mind when they’re performing. Are they looking for their friend in the audience? Are they clearly conscious that the cameras are on them and that millions of people may be watching? No! If they were, they would be distracted and this might make them unnaturally nervous which could affect their performance. Instead these performers have made a connection with the script, lyrics, music or dance moves they are performing and they are doing their utmost to communicate the sentiments of their performance to the audience. By making a connection with the material they are performing, the performer is more concerned about portraying and presenting this material effectively. So, get inside your performance! What are you trying to say with your performance? What story are you trying to tell? And How are you trying to make your audience feel? Once you’ve explored these questions, you’ll find your performance has unique and genuine qualities and you should also find those nerves are finally under control.
Learn more techniques to help you realise your full potential as a performer by joining mystagedoor.co.uk - the UK’s leading website for aspiring performers. Register today and get free access to tips, chat, advice, videos, showbiz news and much more.
Author Resource:-
Maxwell David is one of London's leading performing arts specialists and Co-Founder of register free at mystagedoor.co.uk and get unlimited access to training tips, career advice for the performing arts, info on events in their area, industry news and the opportunity to meet other like-minded performers.
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