Author
Tina Šoln
Stage fright is a state of nervous tension or anxiety that we may feel before a public performance or when executing a task in front of an audience. It is an emotional consequence of the pressure or expectation to perform well, knowing that those present will judge our performance.
While we often regard stage fright as something negative, it is actually a natural bodily response linked to the 'fight or flight' mechanism that activates when we feel threatened or under pressure. Through stage fright, our body alerts us that we are in an unusual situation, and it is up to us to adapt our response by choosing to fight rather than flee. In addition, although it may seem like we are the only ones experiencing stage fright before a public performance the opposite is true. Virtually everyone experiences stage fright in some way – even the most experienced and successful individuals who appear as if they were born to perform on stages or in front of cameras. Well-known actors who have spoken about their stage fright in interviews and appearances include Hugh Grant, Emma Stone, Barbara Streisand, and Renee Zellweger, but also singer Adele has frequently spoken publicly about her severe stage fright and panic attacks before performances.
In one way or another, practically everyone experiences stage fright – even the most experienced and successful individuals who seem like they were born to perform on stage or in front of the camera.
One of the best tips I received for overcoming stage fright is that one should learn to feel comfortable in uncomfortable situations. So, what are the tips and tricks that will ease those last minutes before a public performance?
The key to a good public performance is undoubtedly thorough content preparation. Knowing the topic you will be discussing, having clear objectives you want to achieve with your public performance, and a broader understanding of the subject and its context – especially if the public performance involves an interview, or if you will be a keynote speaker at an event, where moderators often ask additional questions – is crucial.
Practice in front of a mirror, practice in front of friends and colleagues; record your practice performance... There are numerous ways to practice your public performance effectively, and everyone can find a method that suits them best. It is important to manage your time well – achieving the goal of practice requires time, so do not start preparing your content just the night before you have to step on stage or in front of a camera.
Even though you have prepared well content-wise and in terms of delivery, during the performance, you may forget a word, lose your train of thought, or get an unexpected question that throws you off. Therefore, it is crucial to know how to improvise. You can practice improvisation as part of your performance practice, and playing social games with friends, such as charades or Activity, has proven to be very effective in developing improvisation skills.
Numerous relaxation techniques can ease stress just before a public performance.
DEEP BREATHING: Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose, hold your breath for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat several times.
MUSCLE RELAXATION: Systematically tense and relax muscle groups in your body, starting from your feet and moving up to your head.
VISUALIZATION OF SUCCESS: Close your eyes and clearly visualize successfully completing the task. Include as many details and emotions as possible.
POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS: Repeat positive statements to yourself, such as "I can do this" or "I am prepared and capable."
We can practice improvisation as part of our public speaking exercises and playing social games with friends has proven to be a very effective way to learn improvisation skills – especially games like charades and Activity, which encourage the development of improvisation among individuals.
In conclusion, it is important to acknowledge that public performance is a stressful situation for you, as only then can you begin to tackle stage fright and other feelings brought about by stressful situations. I believe that the above tips will help you better cope with stage fright, and your public performances will be even better in the future.