What causes stage fright?

During the 1700’s potatoes were somewhat new to Europe. They weren’t grown in Europe, as such they were brought over by the Spanish. You would think that there was nothing wrong with the potato, but the French had actually distrusted the potato as it was thought to cause leprosy, an idea that today is so far-fetched today, but at the time potatoes would be avoided in France, save for the poorest of people or livestock.

Being on stage is similar in that regard. People say it, a lot of people believe it, therefore it must be true that being on stage is scary.

But what really causes the fear, the fright?

Is it being on stage? Go give this a try.

• Stand on an empty stage or in an empty auditorium, in-fact imagine that there is nobody there and you are standing on stage.

• Now imagine, you are getting ready to speak. Notice what thoughts are coming up for you, write these down, especially if you feeling fear.

• Now imagine, as you are speaking, people start to fill the auditorium. Notice what thoughts are coming up for you, write these down.

• Now imagine that as you are speaking to a room full of people, that casting directors/agents are there. Notice what thoughts are coming up for you, write these down.

Look at what you wrote down. Look at those thoughts that you wrote down.

There may be thoughts such as I cant do this, what are people going to say, I better get it right.

Its these thoughts that are causing stage-fright.

But similar to believing that potatoes cause leprosy, it doesn't have to be this way,

Until next time,