I hate to say this because I truly love acting and have trained/auditioned before, but I am scared to death of actually performing. I have my first REAL audition for an actual job very soon and I can't believe how scared I am. I've auditioned for agencies before and been through training for several years but I've never gotten a job or even auditioned for a serious project. I have to memorize a part of the script, in which my character only has two lines, but I am so scared!
Is there a way to overcome stage fright IN THE MOMENT? The actual reading is what scares me the most, and I am most afraid that I will mess that up, or keep a blank stare while I'm waiting for my turn to speak!
I know this isn't the greatest question for one to ask when they are planning on making a career of acting, but I really could use the help.

I don't have a problem performing, my problem is auditioning. I get super nervous. Everyone keeps telling me the more I do it the easier it will become. I sure hope so.

ALL FEAR STEMS FROM LACK OF KNOWLEDGE.

When you understand something fully and completely, you no longer fear it. Whether it's sky diving, public speaking, or baking a cake, everything is easy once you know how.

Have you considered a good cold reading class? I can think of nothing better to overcome your fear of the audition process.

I've discovered that only by REPETITION do we learn to be comfortable in any given situation. If you audition only rarely, how can you expect to be comfortable? Try my idea. I think you'll like it.

"Whatever works."

www.robertkim.com

My problem is auditioning too. I start to get a little nervous. I have no problem w/the performing part. My last stage audition, I totally forgot my monologue (every single line). I started it, and I went totally blank. I asked if I could have few minutes to regroup, and I did the monologue fine.

What can I say other than - get over it! If you don't enjoy performing, then sorry, you're not a real actor. And you're definitely not a professional with any chance at a career in acting.

I agree with the other posts about auditioning. I've talked to my clients about this and yes, auditioning is a very different animal. But let's get real. How can you say you love acting if you take no pleasure in doing it?

Maybe it's time to rethink your life...

Secretagentman, had you read my post, you'd see that it was the AUDITION I was nervous about. Perhaps you should read it fully before you tell me to "rethink my life".

Thank you for the other posts though, a cold read class sounds like a good idea, I will look into it.

quote:

I am scared to death of actually performing

Umm... perhaps this is what triggered SAM's response to you.


I think a little nervous energy is good. It's a sign (to yourself) that you want the role. And it'll get easier with more auditions, as has been pointed out. Try to enjoy the work you're doing in the audition (it is a performance)- when you do, that's when you'll start getting callbacks and booking (I'm telling this to myself as I'm typing this, by the way).

Good luck!

I agree with transfergirl... I think if you're not at least a little nervous before an audition, you're doing something wrong. Or you're drunk, but that's another post.

As I've said elsewhere on these boards, I come partially from the world of improv (although I've done a lot more "regular" acting than I have improv, and I like acting better), and I learned something very important from a guy I studied with who had studied with Del Close (one of the founders of modern improv). Del had a saying: "follow the fear."

In improv, that means to follow your fear of saying the "right" thing, because chances are you instincts and whatever first comes to your mind will be truthful, and the truth is funny (one of improv's basic tenets). If you try to be funny, you won't be funny; you'll just be like a dead fish on stage fumbling for the next punchy one-liner.

That may not sound applicable to acting, especially to auditions and cold reads, but it is. Follow the nervousness and transform that crippling emotion of terror into one you can actually use. If you try to "act" and are actively worried about whether your face is blank or how many steps you should take when you move on a line that's half a page away, then you're not in the moment. To be truthful onstage (there's that truth thing again), you have to be present with whoever you're working with.

If you're doing it right, you can be literally shaking with nerves up until the second your scene partner says their first line... then just listen to what they're giving you, take it in, add to it, and send it on back. Stop thinking and just listen.

Break a leg!

You know how I deal with "extreme stage freight"?

I lift from the knees!


Ok, bad joke. Listen, we all get a little nervous, we all fail. Its human nature, and that is sometimes what makes a performance great! I know that may sound crazy, but spontaneity can stir new emotions up and you can use them to your advantage. I ALWAYS get nervous at auditions. Nerves let us know we're "working" for something. You have to be careful with your nerves though. Don't let them get the best of you because you'll tense up.
I never let an audition 'GET' to me. If you don't get the part, you move on. And always tell yourself "its their loss, not yours".

quote:

Originally posted by transfergirl:

quote:

I am scared to death of actually performing

I think a little nervous energy is good. It's a sign (to yourself) that you want the role. And it'll get easier with more auditions, as has been pointed out. Try to enjoy the work you're doing in the audition (it is a performance)- when you do, that's when you'll start getting callbacks and booking (I'm telling this to myself as I'm typing this, by the way).

I don't believe that this actor is referring to a case of simple nerves, unless you describe being 'SCARED TO DEATH" as being "A LITTLE NERVOUS."

This young lady's problem with fear has obviously escalated into the phobia stage, and needs a little more help than positive platitudes or basic acting advice. An improv class may give you the tools to think on your feet and free up the instrument, but PARALYZING FEAR is any entirely different issue and requires specific measures to correct.

An "AUDITION" is certainly not the same thing as a "PERFORMANCE." A performance is a fully-realized, fully-memorized scene done before an audience, with blocking, lighting, wardrobe and complete rehearsal. An audition is essentially a cold reading with sides-in-hand, in an office or empty stage, and certainly lacking the preparation or time involved in a live performance.

www.robertkim.com

quote:

An "AUDITION" is certainly not the same thing as a "PERFORMANCE." A performance is a fully-realized, fully-memorized scene done before an audience, with blocking, lighting, wardrobe and complete rehearsal. An audition is essentially a cold reading with sides-in-hand, in an office or empty stage, and certainly lacking the preparation or time involved in a live performance.

I stand corrected, in terms of auditions with sides. As for monologues, I think what I said applies. Minus the lighting. What I should have said is that it's a chance to work at the craft you love.

Have you tried working with an acting coach for your auditions?

quote:

I don't believe that this actor is referring to a case of simple nerves, unless you describe being 'SCARED TO DEATH" as being "A LITTLE NERVOUS."

This young lady's problem with fear has obviously escalated into the phobia stage, and needs a little more help than positive platitudes or basic acting advice. An improv class may give you the tools to think on your feet and free up the instrument, but PARALYZING FEAR is any entirely different issue and requires specific measures to correct.

An "AUDITION" is certainly not the same thing as a "PERFORMANCE." A performance is a fully-realized, fully-memorized scene done before an audience, with blocking, lighting, wardrobe and complete rehearsal. An audition is essentially a cold reading with sides-in-hand, in an office or empty stage, and certainly lacking the preparation or time involved in a live performance.

Agreed on the point of it going beyond just a "little nervous," but I don't know that she's necessarily indicated a phobia quite yet. I think some of the advice given here is still helpful.

Watermellon seed, you said that you were to come to the audition with the side memorized, yes? So at least you'll have the script out of your hand and shouldn't have to worry about fumbling over words. I'm certainly not saying that it's anything resembling an actual peformance, but at least the fact that it's not a truly cold read takes you one small step away from that "audition" feeling.

Also, I wasn't advocating improv classes as a tool for helping in auditions (although it can't hurt)... just taking an idea that originated in the improv world and applying it to the audition situation.

Another thought is, once you've memorized it, you might try reading your audition scene cold (cold for them, not for you) with as many people as you can find to do it with you. That way you'll get used to acting opposite a variety of interpretations. I mean, it's not going to prepare you for anything by any means, but it can't hurt, right? And a bonus is if they happen to be actor friends you're reading with, maybe they can give you some pointers or let you know if you're staring blankly back at them when they're talking (which I seriously doubt is happening in the first place).

How soon is your audition, anyway?

Try to take a few deep, slow breaths just before your audition, i.e. at the last minute before you begin. You might be amazed at how much it helps. Try to focus on your material and being in character for whatever you're doing, and think as little as possible about whether you're going to succeed or whether you'll make callbacks. I also agree that practicing in front of friends is a great idea. Finally, enjoy it!! You'd be surprised how much a positive attitude counts for.

quote:

I don't believe that this actor is referring to a case of simple nerves, unless you describe being 'SCARED TO DEATH" as being "A LITTLE NERVOUS."

This young lady's problem with fear has obviously escalated into the phobia stage, and needs a little more help than positive platitudes or basic acting advice. An improv class may give you the tools to think on your feet and free up the instrument, but PARALYZING FEAR is any entirely different issue and requires specific measures to correct.

An "AUDITION" is certainly not the same thing as a "PERFORMANCE." A performance is a fully-realized, fully-memorized scene done before an audience, with blocking, lighting, wardrobe and complete rehearsal. An audition is essentially a cold reading with sides-in-hand, in an office or empty stage, and certainly lacking the preparation or time involved in a live performance.

Posted by kinnniggets:
Agreed on the point of it going beyond just a "little nervous," but I don't know that she's necessarily indicated a phobia quite yet. I think some of the advice given here is still helpful.[/QUOTE]


The first quote is mine.

Here is the Webster's Dictionary's definition of 'phobia': "A persistent fear or dread." Unless you disagree with Mr. Webster, this actor is indeed, suffering from a phobia. I still recommend a good audition or cold reading class for this young lady.

"Whatever works."

www.robertkim.com

Wow, this was really horribly misinterpreted. I know I don't have a stage phobia, I've auditioned and performed before, my question was regarding auditioning in a professional situation, which I have never done before.