Thread: Stage Nerves...

Hello lovelies,

Tonight, I suffered the most horrendous bout of stage nerves I've ever had!

I felt like I was gonna be sick or faint or both.

I don't think the presense of my nerves changed any outcome of the evening but I would welcomingly accept any tips or guidance to overcoming these nerves.

It almost freaked me out how stupidly frightened/nervous I was.... It feels a bit ridiculous now, almost embarassing!

Help?!

Peski

Xx

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I got nervous once, then I stopped being nervous and started being awesome instead.

But seriously I find just going over your act in your head or some other prep takes your mind off of it.

I know this may seem the most ridiculous "advice" on stage nerves you'll ever hear, but they've always said that nerves show you have passion in what you're doing & that when you stop feeling nervous, you should stop doing it because it shows your passion for your art has died.

So, while nerves feel like the most awful thing in the world, don't let them overpower you. Instead let them comfort you in knowing there's a darn good reason you should be getting on that stage & doing what you're doing, & that's because you're a spot-on burlesquer. Transform your nerves into confidence

But failing that, a lot of ladies seem to swear by Rescue Remedy. I personally think it might be a birrova placebo but if it works for some it's definitely worth giving a whirl to keep the nerves at bay.

x

Hi honey
I think competitions are the worst. I did a few when i first started in burlesque and they made me so ill I nearly gave it up for good. I would recommend breathing in through your nose and out of your mouth and trying to claim your self that way. Give yourself 5 mins to yourself if you can. even if it means locking yourself in the loo. A time of piece and quiet really helps.
Then just go for it. We all make mistakes its the only way you learn.
Hugs
Diva xxx

Aww my lovely! If I know you, your performance will still have been amazing! And possibly just the fact that the nerves took you by surprise could be the thing that made it seem worse to you... Diva's advice is great X

Originally Posted by Buck Fast

I got nervous once, then I stopped being nervous and started being awesome instead

this just makes me love you all the more!!...

channel those nerves into possitive energy, im a train wreck while the compere is announcing me then an even bigger train wreck afterwards, but i would worry if i didnt need my show poo, or show wee!

Originally Posted by Peski DeVille

Hello lovelies,

Tonight, I suffered the most horrendous bout of stage nerves I've ever had!

I felt like I was gonna be sick or faint or both.

I don't think the presense of my nerves changed any outcome of the evening but I would welcomingly accept any tips or guidance to overcoming these nerves.

It almost freaked me out how stupidly frightened/nervous I was.... It feels a bit ridiculous now, almost embarassing!

Help?!

Peski

Xx

Peski DeVille nerves?! You are the last person I thought would suffer from such things! xx

I always find that if you really build up a gig and make it seem like an extra important one, the nerves are worse, and generally you don't perform as well. Now, I try and just think, "ok, just performing for a normal bunch of people, this is a normal show like any other."

I randomly get stage fright, no rhyme or reason to when it will hit!

Sometimes it doesn't hit until I'm out on stage and those times I think "Öh no! I may vomit, what do I do? Oh no, I forgot my whole routine!" I often consider dancing off the stage but haven't had to once! I may do one of my "safety moves" which helps ground and focus me. A movement that I've picked to do when I go blank that helps me kill a lil second til I can get back on track - big arm movements or a shimmy while I compose myself, or I try to focus above the audience and pull myself back into my music. I find breaking eye contact with the audience in some way for a brief moment helps a lot. It helps me to turn around at times to do the "safety move" because the band is behind me and they are all friends so they smile or make a funny face and usually my fright passes really quickly!

Sometimes it hits before I go on and I usually know a person or two I can turn to to let them know I'm nervous and they always give me a few reassuring words or like someone else suggested, I grab my ipod and headphones and listen to my music on repeat and go over my routine.

If you have a show coming up where you suspect you might freak out, I recommend homeopathy Argent. Nit. You can get it at Boots. I used to use that for all my exams. You need to plan in advance a bit and take it over the preceding week. I dont know whether its a placebo or not, but it always worked well for me.