Performance

1. Performance Why do we get stage fright?

2. What is stage fright? Sometimes known as a phobia, stage fright is when you get jittery or nervous when you are about to do any performance on stage or in front of an audience. But how, exactly, do you get it? How can we get rid of it? And how can we avoid it, altogether? “Stage fright is just another obstacle that must be handled in the pursuit of the dream.” Stage fright is also known as “communication apprehension.” http://business.uni.edu/buscomm/Presentations/stagefright.html http://phobias.about.com/od/phobiaslist/a/stagefright.htm

3. Fun Fact  “It certainly isn’t as dangerous as sky-diving, but more people are afraid of it.” http://business.uni.edu/buscomm/Presentations/stagefright.html

4. How do we get stage fright? Stage fright is caused by the “rush of adrenaline” you get when you are nervous, created by the nervous system. If you are feeling “butterflies”, or have a fluttering stomach, you probably have stage fright. http://www.jugglingdb.com/compendium/performing/creatinganact/dropping/stagefright.html#cause

5. What are some “symptoms” of stage fright? “It tends to appear during the time leading up to the audition or performance. Although each person’s reactions are unique, most cases of stage fright follow a reasonably predictable pattern.” http://phobias.about.com/od/phobiaslist/a/stagefright.htm

6. When can we get stage fright? Whether you are performing a play or reciting a poem in front of class, you are still capable of getting stage fright. From a professional theater to an average classroom, stage fright can still get you. http://phobias.about.com/od/phobiaslist/a/stagefright.htm

7. Who can get stage fright? If you can breathe, you can get stage fright. So, everyone can get stage fright. Some people have bad cases of it, others just ignore it. If you think you are alone, you’re not! Even professional athletes or actors can get stage fright. http://phobias.about.com/od/phobiaslist/a/stagefright.htm

8. Personal Story When someone asked Christine Kane if she got stage fright, she replied with, “I took a deep breath and said, ‘I’m pretty sure I haven’t yet.’ Then, I told her the truth: that for the first whole year of performing, I was terrified every night I got onto a stage... The only thing that changed was my ability to channel the fear. After about two years of performing constantly, getting on a stage became part of my routine. It wasn’t a big thing anymore. But I still got (and get) stage fright. I’m just better at it now." http://christinekane.com/overcoming-stage-fright-heres-what-to-do/

9. How can we get rid of stage fright? Like any other phobia, stage fright is treatable. You can energize yourself~ move around before you go on stage and your nervousness should fade. Accept the fact that you have stage fright and try to get rid of it~ the more you say, “No, I don’t have stage fright!” the more nervous you will be. Relax and BREATHE~ if you aren’t breathing deeply and you’re just freaking out, nothing will change! Believe in yourself~ recognize the fact that you know what you are going to do and that you’ve rehearsed enough and that you will do very well. Understand that the audience wants to help you and here you~ they believe in you. Smile~ smiling always lightens up the mood! Talk to yourself~ tell yourself that you can do it… if you don’t believe in yourself, who will? Enjoy yourself when you’re on stage. Rejoice~ once you’ve encountered your fear, praise/reward yourself. http://phobias.about.com/od/phobiaslist/a/stagefright.htm http://garyguwe.wordpress.com/2007/08/09/fear-busters-10-tips-to-overcome-stage-fright-v1/

10. Cures for Stage Fright  When trying to cure your case of stage fright, try to remember the following: • “Let go of people liking you”. We all have different opinions, if somebody disagrees with your opinion, you’re life isn’t over! • It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s true, learning from your mistakes is the best kind of learning. www.speakingaboutpresenting.com

11. How do you know if you have stage fright? “ Some ways to know you have stage fright are: • the pupils of the eyes dilate • heart-rate and force of cardiac contractions increase • blood vessels of non-essential organs (e.g. kidneys and digestive organs) contract • other processes that are not immediately essential (e.g. peristalsis in the gut) slow down or even stop • blood vessels in the skeletal and cardiac muscles, and in the liver, dilate • the rate and depth of breathing increase • blood glucose level rises as glycogen in the liver is converted to glucose • the medullae of the adrenal glands are stimulated (by the hypothalamus in the brain) to produce epinephrine & norepinephrine; these are hormones which tend to prolong the effects just described “ http://www.jugglingdb.com/compendium/performing/creatinganact/dropping/stagefright.html#cause

12. Once I’ve gotten rid of it, is it gone for good? You can never know for sure whether or not stage fright is gone because it can come back; like a cut or a bruise, just because it’s gone, doesn’t mean it’s not coming back. If you still cannot get rid of your stage fright, they have stage fright workshops! http://www.performanceanxiety.com/workshop.htm http://www.jugglingdb.com/compendium/performing/creatinganact/dropping/stagefright.html#cause

13. How to avoid stage fright! Some ways to avoid stage fright is to use the following tips: • Stop giving yourself anxiety. Tell yourself that at a certain time, you will stop complaining. • Don’t do a lot of things on the day of performance, make it an easy day. • Do the complete opposite, do a lot of things to get your mind off of the performance. • “Create a ritual”. Say a short prayer before walking on, etc., and do that every time. • Exercise. Some people work better knowing they are exercised for the day. • Arrive early. No one wants to be late on the day of stress. http://christinekane.com/overcoming-stage-fright-heres-what-to-do/

14. Cont’d. 7. Avoid mild- “it creates phlegm, which is unpleasant and can be annoying while you speak.” 8. Watch how much sugar you eat. 9. Eat healthy. Eat plenty of protein, fruits, and vegetables. 10. “Avoid a sugar high”. If you want something to eat, avoid a candy bar; eat banana’s, sugar-free candy, or popcorn or pretzels. 11. Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine. You shouldn’t have them, anyway, but especially on this day. http://business.uni.edu/buscomm/Presentations/stagefright.html

15. Cont’d. 12. Get plenty of exercise. 13. Eat plenty of vitamins. Vitamin C reduces over-exertion and increases energy. Vitamin B helps deal with stress. Calcium and magnesium “acts as a tranquilizer to the system”. 14. Get plenty of rest. 15. Trick yourself into thinking that it’s not really happening. http://business.uni.edu/buscomm/Presentations/stagefright.html

16. Why do we get stage fright? I believe that some reasons we get stage fright are: 1. You believe that public speaking is bad, so you don’t try to get over it. 2. You think it needs to be done perfectly (it doesn’t, most of the time nobody knows you messed up. 3. You try too cover to much things in one presentation. 4. “Having the wrong objectives”. http://www.speaking-tips.com/Articles/Ten-Causes-Of-Public-Speaking-Stress.aspx

17. Cont’d. • Trying to get everyone to agree with you. • Expecting the worse out of it, you don’t think you will do a good job performing. • “You think your audience is going to be as critical to your performance as you are to yourself.” http://www.speaking-tips.com/Articles/Ten-Causes-Of-Public-Speaking-Stress.aspx

18. A word from the expert. I asked Alissa Drouilard, “Why do you think we get stage fright?” She answered, “I think we get it because we are nervous to make a mistake and we always want to do our best in front of our family and friends.” Then I asked, “Can we ever get rid of it?” She replied, “There’s really no way to totally ‘get rid’ of stage fright. It will always be there whether we like it or not. But you can always try your best to not get nervous…like just imagining you are performing at the studio like every other day.” Lastly, I asked her for any advice. She told me, “Personally, I try to think of the things that could go right rather than wrong!”

19. Sources http://www.speaking-tips.com/Articles/Ten-Causes-Of-Public-Speaking-Stress.aspx http://phobias.about.com/od/phobiaslist/a/stagefright.htm http://business.uni.edu/buscomm/Presentations/stagefright.html http://www.jugglingdb.com/compendium/performing/creatinganact/dropping/stagefright.html#cause http://garyguwe.wordpress.com/2007/08/09/fear-busters-10-tips-to-overcome-stage-fright-v1/ http://christinekane.com/overcoming-stage-fright-heres-what-to-do/ http://www.performanceanxiety.com/workshop.htm