Performance Anxiety

One of the problems that can bedevil any performing artist is stagefright, or performance anxiety. The fear of getting up in front of an audience can be overwhelming, and very hard to overcome. Even if you can get started, the nervousness can carry over into your performance, which can feed on itself in a sort of negative loop. Therefore, it's very important to come to terms with stagefright and overcome it if you want to make a career in the performing arts.

There are generally two types of performance anxiety; one is a sort of natural butterflies-in-the-stomach feeling that artists get before a performance, and it tends to be mild and go away in short order. More serious is a fear of lack of preparation or practice, which can often intensify as you approach the event and can cause serious problems. Careful breathing techniques and mentally reassuring yourself that you have, in fact, prepared properly can help with this second type of stagefright.

Preparation is the key. When you practice, try to practice in front of friends or associates, so you get used to being "on stage" more often. It's also important to remember that a bad performance is just a bad performance - the worst that can happen is having a bad night, and a bad night's not the end of the world. Finally, if stagefright is just too difficult to overcome, your doctor might be able to suggest therapies or medications to help you relax before your performances - but such a course should definitely be saved for a last resort.