Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 10/1/2010

Question
I love acting and singing, especially singing. However, every time I get up on stage to do an audition, I get really nervous and start to shake. When my friends watch they say it's not noticeable, but it makes it where I almost can't sing. Do you have any tips or ideas?

Answer
Hi there, Catherine...And thanks for writing and asking about this.  This is a very common struggle.  Be encouraged.  You are not alone.

First, it usually is not noticeable to others.  That is very true.  And that means that it is usually inside us mostly and what we feel inside is impacting our performance.  So the good news is that we can change what we feel inside.  We can make choices that help us to remain calm and focused.

My first question to you is if you notice a difference in your breathing.  Breathing is the key always.  If you are breathing well, you are probably able to remain focused and strong and calm.  But for most people, when they get nervous, their breath is the first thing to go.  It becomes chest breathing instead of from the gut or the diaphragm and it becomes little breaths instead of deep ones.  Deep breathing comes when you breathe in through the nose and all the way down to the bottom of your abdomen and then you breathe out through the mouth all the way down to the bottom of your abdomen.  And you repeat.  

Next, how are you thinking about this audition and your nerves?  Are you anticipating that you will be so nervous you almost cannot think?  Or are you looking at what it is that you want and concentrating on that?  For e.g. if you want a part in a show, are you thinking about that part and on why you want it and why you love being on the stage or are you thinking about how you are feeling?  Changing your thinking will also help.

Does that help?

Wanda