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Overcoming Stage Fright
Stage or performance fright is the anxiety and nervousness a person experiences before an audience. This is a normal thing that makes people uncomfortable and self-conscious whenever they have to speak in front of a group. Even though stage fright is a common phenomenon, it varies in the degree which individuals experience. For instance, some performers will only develop anxiety for the first few minutes of their presentations, but for others, it is such a big deal that it prevents them from making a speech or presentation (Genard, p. 12). Actually, some people end up passing up job promotions and addressing great audiences because of stage fright.
According to statistics, stage fright tops all other fears, including death, aerophobia, and hydrophobia among others. It is important to note that stage fright manifests in different forms. For example, it includes pulse race, shaking knees and voice, sweaty palms, and hands and tight throat that makes it hard to speak. However, people have to learn how to live and deal with performance fright because in order to succeed in life. This paper will look at some crucial strategies that can be used to manage stage fright.
Secondly, the speaker needs to familiarize him or herself with the environment where the presentation will take place. It is vital to know the type of audience and material available for the presentation. To ensure this, one can set a few minutes to do a rehearsal in order to get used to the technologies available and the surroundings. Additionally, it is wise for speakers to know where the power sources are in case they might need to charge their presentation equipment like laptops. Equally important is knowing who makes the audience because this will help in making a presentation that suits it and avoid giving an in-depth talk to beginners and vice-versa.
Finally, connecting with the audience is very crucial for the success of any presentation. Most individuals are afraid of what the audience will think of them once on the stage. So, it is important to make sure that the listeners only focus on what you have to offer and not the other things. To do this, one has to grab their attention first and most of the speakers use famous quotes, jokes, anecdotes and other things as icebreakers. Doing this helps to connect with the audience even before starting the main presentation and this gets them listening and eager to hear what the speaker has for them.
In conclusion, there are numerous ways that people can deliver successful presentations. Also, it is crucial to note that people are comfortable with different strategies and so there is no one-fit-all strategy. Performers are known to come up with creative ways to deal with stage fright and most of them are successful. All in all, proper preparation for the presentation, familiarization with the surrounding and connection with the audience are key things.
Works Cited
Genard, G. Fearless Speaking: Beat your Anxiety, Build your Confidence, Change
your Life. (2014). Arlington, Massachusetts: Cedar & Maitland Press.
