Addressing Stage Fright

Recently I was asked this question by a young gal who is interested in stage performance.  “How do you get over stage fright?”   oooo...tough question. Here’s some of what I shared with this performer.

1. Be prepared. I try to practice enough that I know that I'm not
going to mess up just because I'm not prepared.  When I feel
like I can do what I have planned, rather than walking on stage
just HOPING that I can get lucky and do what is planned,
then it helps me to walk on stage more confidently.

2.  I remember that feeling "the nerves" is not just being nervous.
It means that I'm getting some "extra energy" so I can do my best.
That extra adrenaline is going to help me do what I need to do.
The personal challenge is to control it, and not let it mess me up.
I keep in mind that the extra energy burst I’m sensing can actually
be helpful.

3.  It may be better to think of this as “getting butterflies,” or
“feeling a bit anxious,” rather than talking about “stage fright.”  
These feelings aren’t necessarily about a paralyzing fear.  Once
again, it’s about the extra adrenaline that one feels when stepping
into a presentation that is important to the presenter.

4. Even the most professional performers and actors still experi-
ence this pre-show concern even after doing this for years and
years. It’s reported that Henry Fonda, even in his later years,
before walking on stage on Broadway would throw-up before a
show.  So, even the best professionals still feel that sense of
“nerves.” The thing to glean from this is simply, it didn’t stop him!

If a person doesn't feel that extra adrenaline, that may mean that
the person does not CARE enough about what they are doing. If
a person is TOTALLY relaxed, that means that they probably are
not going to do their best for their audience. Performers SHOULD
feel that extra energy before walking onto stage.  

5.  Most have found that once on stage, the nervousness dissi-
pates. It’s the “before time” when a person feels it rather than in
the middle of it.

6.  Most also will share that the more experience one has, the
less debilitating this feeling becomes.  The more one performs,
the more confident one becomes over time.  

Janet Tucker recently shared with me about a discussion she
had with her son, Stephen, when he was a Senior in college. He
was home one weekend helping her do the dishes in the kitchen.  
He said "Thanks, Mom" and when she asked "For what?" he said
"Thanks for making me a clown.  The #1 fear of people in America
is being onstage talking to a group but my years as a clown have
given me a stage presence so I can do well on speeches and
talking in front of others."  By doing repeated clown presentations,
Stephen had learned to get over any nervousness.

7.  And when it comes to ministry presentations, I try to always
remember that the most important person I'm doing this perfor-
mance for is Jesus.  I keep in mind that He loves me just because
I'm up there doing my best for Him. Knowing that, I can relax some,
and just give it my best shot, knowing that it's going to make Him
smile.

In closing, the short answer is that everyone DOES get nervous
some. The key is to not let it make you FREEZE or make you
mess up.

Phip. 4:6,7,8 says, “Do not be anxious for anything, but in every-
thing with prayer and thanksgiving make your requests known to
God and the peace of God that passes all understanding will guard
your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.”  

So, if you are feeling nervous, you can pray. Give it over to Jesus
and He will help you.

2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear but of
power and of love and of a sound mind.”   That's a great verse to
claim in prayer.

“Lord, help me to not be afraid. Give me your power as I walk out
onto this platform. Help me to show your love.  Help me to think
clearly (sound mind). And in faith --believing and trusting you-- I'm
going to do my best.  Amen!

*This article was initially shared in the World Clown Association's
"Clowning Around" magazine in 2012