Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 1/10/2010

Question
QUESTION: Dear Wanda,
My name is Tayler and i desperately dream of becoming an actress, however there is a problem. I have terrible stage fright to the point where i won't even answer a question in class even if i know its right. I am very certain that this is the only career i will ever want to do and have begun taking voice and dance lessons and will be auditioning for the local musical. I have taken these measures as to ensure that i can overcome my stage fright, But i still doubt wether or not i can do it. Is this the right career for me or simply some adolescent fantasy?
Thank you so much for your time and i apologize for the length of my question.

ANSWER: Hey there, Tayler...And thanks for writing.

And congrats on taking some steps in moving past this fright.  Many people would just not even bother.  :)  So good for you.  

Where is the doubt coming from?  How are you thinking of yourself in the auditions and lessons.  Is your mind telling you that you will not make it or that this is a dream?  Are you thinking about that rather than about the things that you love about performance and about this idea?  

And what are the successes that you have had?  Could you think about them?

If your mind becomes right about this, it could assist you much.

Once you have moved past this in your mind, only you will be able to answer whether this is what you want to do or not.  It will take some work to make a career of it but if you can move past the fear in your mind and heart and be persistent, teachable and consistent, things will begin to happen for you.

Does that help?

Wanda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey Wanda,
Thanks for getting back to me so fast and thank you for the encouragement. I honestly am to new to have really had any triumphs yet, but i will keep you posted on that. I tend to believe that there always has to be something to improve on when i perform. If an instructor says "that was great" i don't honestly believe them, in my mind there always has to be something wrong or else it isn't real. Yes, your answer has helped me, now when i do go on auditions and performances i will focus on my love for performing and the excitment of it instead of the fear. Thanks again, i'll let you know if i make a show!

Yours truly tayler

Answer
Hey there, Tayler...I'm glad that I was able to help.  There is always something that you can do to go deeper, to make your performance stronger, to make a better connection with your audience, to make it more real. If you are open to learning, you will go far.  I would say that there is no right or wrong though.  There is better and best.  So when an instructor or director says that something is great, it would be better to ask or wonder how can it be even greater.

Please do tell me if you make the show.  I would love to know.  :)

Wanda
www.reinholdtproductions.ca