Expert: Kenneth D. Plonkey - 1/7/2011

Question
i want to start acting but don't know how to choose a class that is right for me. I'm in high school right know and am attending drama class.i have stage fright and don't know how to control it. so far in drama class we've been doing monologues and 2 person script. every time i up up i get nervous. is there any advise to get ride of my stage fright or how to control it. should i get more training ?? please help

Answer
Dear Karina. Stagefright as you experience it is very common and can be controlled with experience and practice..Everyone feels stage fright at some time or other. When actors become so nervous about auditioning or performing that it effects their performance, they need to do something to combat it. Of course experience helps a lot. The more you perform the less nervous you should be about it. And when performing concentrate on what you are doing moment by moment. Letting yourself think about the fact that you are acting is detrimental to your performance anyway and is the source of your anxiety. You have to listen to the play or scene with all of your senses every minute. Do the acting, don't think about the fact that you are acting. And be as well prepared as possible.  If you are secure in knowing what to do, there is less anxiety.

Sometimes we just have to remind ourselves why we are performing. If we act because we think it is fun, it is often a matter of using the following mantra: "Acting is playing and playing is fun, whenever I act I am going to have fun." Repeating this over and over and over will help you adopt the attitude and stop worrying about acting. Auditions and class scenes are just another chance to act and have fun. Whether you get the role or not is not so important. There will always be another audition. However, sometimes a person has really serious stage fright. In that case seeing a hypnotherapist is usually effective.
When performing or auditioning, assume an air of energy, enthusiasm, and friendliness. Be happy and have a great time from the time you leave home until you get back home. Break a leg!
God bless, Doc