How To Overcome Stage Fright

The thing many of us fear the most is speaking in public before a group. Just the idea of appearing before an audience can so overwhelm us that we react as if we were in physical danger. In times of danger, be it real or imagines, the brain releases adrenaline into the bloodstream. The result is stammering, trembling, heavy perspiration, and sometimes a loss of short-term memory.

The effects of stage fright, as it is commonly called, can be devastating. Here are some tips to overcome it:

• Know you material: Whether it is a speech, a comedy routine, or a musical performance, knowing and understanding your material thoroughly is essential to building confidence.

• Assemble the ideas of your speech in your mind in their natural order, and then jot them down on index cards. Never try to memorize a speech – always leave room for spontaneity.

• Practice delivering your speech or part in a play out loud in front of a mirror. Remember, acting confident will make you feel more confident. Rehearsing in front of family or friends is helpful, so is videotaping your performance. Taping can help you spot common errors as speaking too rapidly, or using too many or too few gestures.

• Visualize your performance: Part of you practice time should be devoted to mentally going over each aspect of your performance, from start to finish. To boost your ability to memorize lines for a play, visualize your character in action.

• Show your enthusiasm for your subject. Speak about something that you have earned the right to talk about through experience or study. Personal anecdotes are an effective way to enliven a talk.

• Make friends with your audience: Pick out individual people in various parts of the crowd and talk directly to each one for a few minutes throughout your speech. Speak as naturally as possible, this helps put an audience at ease.