Expert: J. Spyder Isaacson - 1/14/2008

Question
Hello,

I would love to audition for my local area's singing talent show.

I am used to signing with a group of people, however, I sing in my 8th grade choir, at concerts we have about 4 times a year. I also sang a solo once for choir, and have been in my school's variety show twice.

However, I get really bad stage fright - whenever I sing alone, sometimes I forget some of the lyrics because I get butterflies in my stomach and I get really shaky; cannot concentrate.

I was wondering if you could help me choose a good piece to audition with - my range is from F below low C (C3) to F above middle C - notes F2 to F4. I'd like to find a good contemporary piece, a musical number, maybe.

Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it. =)

Answer
I have to admit - I'm not as well acquainted with your vocal range, so have to "beg off" on answering that side of things.  From that perspective, the best I could possibly suggest would be, maybe, "On My Own" from Les Miserables (a great song, with great dynamics), but other than that . . .  Sorry, but ask again to the question pool, and (hopefully) you'll find someone with a bit better advice in your range.

Meanwhile, as far as stage fright: you are asking a VERY common question -- every performer (even yours truly) has suffered from it at one time or another.  (As a cocky 8 year old, I appeared in a Sunday School pageant and suddenly found myself without a mind - my fear was so bad that I had to be fed every single word of my prepared part!)

There are a lot of "tricks" that can be used.  One of the most common is to imagine that your entire audience is dressed only in their underwear.  (Depending on your age, this can have unfortunate side-effects . . . I'll leave it to you to fill this one in yourself . . .!) Nevertheless, the best ways are not to simply distract yourself (like the method I've already mentioned), but to find a way to turn the energy from your nervousness into energy for your performance.  This is what I've spent what seems like a lifetime mastering, and I *still* occasionally experience those brief terrors when hitting the stage.

My best advice is to just remember this: there is NO REASON to feel fear.  There is NO ONE OUT THERE that really means you harm or failure.  Even if (on the slim chance) there IS someone who wants you harm or failure, that is one person out of the <X> number that are there to be entertained, regardless of any flaws.  You would be surprised how many folks are willing to put up with flaws for an overall satisfying and entertaining experience.  (And the ones who are there entirely to look for flaws will look for flaws in ANYTHING because it makes them feel better about themselves.)

But *knowing* something isn't out to harm you doesn't necessarily quell the fear it invokes.  (I fought for YEARS being terrorized by harmless dogs.)  Thus, if push comes to shove, draw upon the old actors' adage of the fourth wall - when you're on stage, you have three walls (the set) plus an invisible fourth wall that comes between the actors and the audience.  It's a way of, through the natural and trained imagination of the performer, of completely ignoring the audience.  You simply imagine that there is that invisible wall that protects you and irrevocably separates you from your audience.  The simple principle here is: you are ALWAYS protected from any possible threat by an impenetrable and invincible barrier.

Lastly, you have the distinct advantage of preparing for a talent show instead of an audition or opening night.  From my experience, audiences are far more "forgiving" of performances in a talent show - there are a LOT of people (not including you) who have no talent at all, but think so, and even THEY get kudos from a talent show.

And, if you will pardon a quote from the Bible: "For ours is not the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  (II Timothy 1:7)

I hope this helps.  Break a leg, and let me know how you do!

-- Spyder