I've been performing for over 20 years, and I think there is a difference between "Stage Fright" and just plain-ol' nervousness. Stage-fright is really about concentrating on the infinite number of possibilities things that are out of your control - Instead of concentrating on what you do have control over: your voice, breathing, expression, and most of all... your conviction, and your commitment to creative expression. I've been in some pretty tough and stressful situations on-stage before, but it comes down to being prepared and confident. Not that you are the best in the world - but that you are giving the best you have, and with the most love and conviction you can draw upon.

One time I was understudying a role in a show I had only seen once before - years ago... 30 hours before the show opened, I was told I would have to go on - this was a leading role in a cast of only 4 - so there was no where to hide. I just said to myself "OK... you were hired to be the understudy, because they thought you could fill in, now you gotta let them know they were right. Clear your head, and make room to remember EVERYTHING today!" We opened, and I got rave reviews. I thought I could succeed then... now I know I can.

Every performance is is an opportunity to access "The Creative" spirit... no matter how you identify that...
Every performance is your opportunity to create a space where your audience can participate in that creative experience with you.
Whether sacred, secular, drama or comedy... it is your opportunity to be a vehicle for creativity and beauty, not an obstacle to it.
There are no "tricks"... just trust, confidence, preparation, and love.
Before you go on, find a moment to be still, be thankful for your talents, and be happy.

Peace ~ Roberto

Doing it was the only way I got over it. I started at open mikes. Terrified at first but eventually after going there week after week and becoming part of a community of performers, I felt supported enough to not freak. I had a long break from public performance due to life issues and found that when I returned to performing, I had a bit of stagefright again. And I'd lost some of my performance chops. So I think it works very much like playing piano or guitar or anything...you get rusty if you don't practice. The more you're out there, the better you'll get at it.

I find it also helps to watch other friends of mine who are performers. Seeing how they are rewarded for risk-taking. Remembering that even though fright makes you "play it safe", the audience usually doesn't reward timidity. Also being reminded of how supportive audiences can be. Many want you to do well (thank god, I'm not a stan-up comedian...that's a different audience). So observe when you're in an audience how you react to the performer. And remind yourself that audiences will cut you the same slack as well as reward you for the same risks.

But practice is the best. Just get out there and do it.

you're gonna be frightened, every time, so just accept it. Fear will be your companion. It will accompany you every time you get on stage. I'm here, I'm frightened, isn't this amazing to be up here. totally embrace it. the audience gives you a lot of slack, they want you to do well. they know you're scared but they want something too - they want you give them an experience. there's a LOT of energy in the fear, use it. Basically, GO for it, be BIG. Embrace the fear/energy and use the energy to let the song just ride on out there.

Don't think, just sing. Just keep saying to yourself, "There's nothing but the song, there's nothing but the song."

Sing it, baby!

Then do it again as soon as you can. Is there anything better?