Overcome Stage Fright: Part II
[Archive from July 2018]
Today’s the big day! You’ve prepared. You’ve practiced. You’ve used my tips from Part I. (You may wish to go back and see the blog before this: Overcome Stage Fright I). You are ready. Believe it. Enjoy it!
Remember: the audience is pulling for you. Truly! Most of them are nervous about microphones, too. They want you to do your best.
If this is your first, second, third time following my tips, you may still be nervous today. That’s normal. It may take months or years for you to enjoy performing, but you WILL. It will probably happen by degrees like it did for me. Believe me, that first 30% drop in fear level is a huge relief. Most people calm down a lot once they begin speaking. The hard part is anticipation.
Do not practice today. My performance day tips are aimed at relaxing.
Part II: Perform
Don’t pressure yourself.
Ideally, you have many hours between waking and performing. Take care of the day’s other business or do something you like that will distract you from worry. Light exercise, even a short walk in fresh air may help. If you had trouble sleeping, try to squeeze in a nap before your event.
Listen to music, dance, meditate, chill.
Double check that you have ALL your materials ready to go out the door with you.
Relax at the Venue.
My Chinese doctor gave me a technique that helps calm me. (And guess what! I rarely need it any more, at least not before readings.) You may want to practice the technique a few times during the day, but I find it most helpful at the venue, just before you read or speak. You can do it standing or sitting without anyone else knowing about your secret defense against nerves.
Suppose you arrive and learn that you are speaker number five. While you are waiting for those first four people to finish, your nerves will go berserk – if you let them. Instead of listening to your negative thoughts you
Sit. Do not cross your legs. Place both feet on the floor.
Focus on pressing your soles firmly, EVENLY, but gently, into the floor.
Breathe slowly in, in, in…out, out, out 8 times. Count silently. It’s a secret, remember?
Repeat over and over. It’s no big deal if anyone interrupts you. Just start your breaths and count over again until it’s time for you to stand and approach the mike.
If you must stand about before you read or speak, you can still focus on pressing both soles evenly into the floor and breathing slowly. This is a simple method of meditation. It’s also a good reason NOT to wear high heels.
Eat and Drink Wisely.
Try to avoid nervous eating. I recommend nutritious food and nothing too heavy. This is not a good time to go to Chubby’s all-you-can-eat buffet or load up on spicy food (and I love spicy food!) On the other hand, don’t skip all eating just because your stomach feels nervous. You don’t want to pass out or puke at the mike. The most important rule is to know your own body. It’s more about When than about What you eat.
I recommend a filling late lunch or early supper between 2:00 and 4:oo p.m. before a 7:00 p.m. reading. That gives you time to start digesting your food, take an antacid if you need one, and to brush away any spinach, chocolate, or red wine on your teeth. I love wine as much as the next person, okay, more than the next person, but I have a rule against drinking any alcohol until after I read. Too much can go wrong.
Hot tea, especially with honey, is a good choice of beverage for the Big Day, especially if you have a cold or allergy problems. Dairy products aren’t good for the voice.
Unless you know the venue will give you bottled water, it’s a good idea to take some with you. Room temperature water is ideal.
Dress Appropriately for You and the Occasion.
If you know me, you’ll bet my outfit was chosen weeks before. (I may need a shopping trip, after all.) My choice is something a bit dramatic. I love red! But comfort comes first: no pinching or too high shoes, nothing that will invite a wardrobe malfunction. Your outfit should suit you and the weather. If you always wear jeans and a t-shirt, then go with that unless you’re the speaker at a formal affair.
Arrive Early.
Allow plenty of time to get where you’re going, then add extra time to that if you’ve never been there before. Even a polished speaker will be a wreck if he arrives late. I recommend arriving half an hour early. Being early is especially a good idea if you’re appearing at an open mike and want to sign up early in the lineup. Then you can relax and enjoy the rest of the readers.
If possible, step up to the podium before the crowd arrives. See where you can place your water and your notebook. Watch for any cords you might trip over later. Is the mike close to your mouth or will you need to adjust it?
Take the Mike.
Set your writing on the podium. Breathe. Look out. Smile and say hello. Thank the audience or organizers or sponsors, but keep it short. You just want to break the ice and collect yourself. Ask them if they can hear you before you plow into your material.
Usually the audience sits too far back, just like they do at church, so you
may need to project more or adjust the mike.
Take a look around and find a friendly face or two. Make eye contact now and often through the reading. Try not to keep your eyes on the page the whole time. I know it takes a leap of faith, but looking at
Read slowly and clearly. A dry mouth, raspy voice, or tripping over words are all signs to pause and take a drink of water. You’re doing well. You hear appreciative mmms. A laugh? Even better, but try to pause for the laughter so people will catch your next line.
Celebrate Yourself.
YOU DID IT! You should be proud. Next time you’ll do even better, and one magical day you’ll realize, “Hey, this is fun!”
Bravo!