The document provides tips for overcoming stage fright when performing or giving presentations. It discusses how top performers like Renee Fleming and Barbra Streisand have struggled with stage fright. Thorough preparation and rehearsal, deep breathing exercises, positive visualization, and staying calm before and during a performance are some effective ways to manage stage fright mentioned in the document.

1. Getting the message across

2.  Renee Fleming
 In her autobiography, the celebrated soprano
recalls her unexpected attack of nerves:
"Nothing had happened to precipitate it,
nothing had changed, but without warning,
my throat closed up entirely." Though she
recovered, the experience left her temporarily
miserable, physically and emotionally
debilitated, and pondering a new future out
of the limelight.

3.  Barbra Streisand

After forgetting the lyrics of one of her songs
during a 1967 Central Park concert, Babs
stopped performing live for almost three
decades, fearing that she'd have the same
problem again. "Some performers really do
well when they forget the words," she told
Diane Sawyer recently. "They forget the words
all the time, but they somehow have humor
about it. I remember I didn't have a sense of
humor about it. I was quite shocked."

4.  The better prepared you are, the less likely
you are to suffer from stage fright.
 If you are performing in a play, make sure
you know your lines, your cues and where
you're supposed to be on stage.
 Ask any questions you have or iron out any
difficult parts of the show before you take to
the stage. Likewise, if you're giving a speech
or presentation, make sure you practice with
the props or gadgets you'll be using.

5.  Make sure you know how to operate any
slides, microphones or other technology
you're incorporating.
 If there are any words you routinely trip over,
either master them or change them before
you're on stage. Preparing in this way will
leave you with little to be nervous about.

6.  Visualization techniques can help prevent
stage fright. Imagine that the audience is
made of only your closest friends and family,
who want you do well.
 Picture the audience responding positively to
you, and how proud you'll be once you've
complete your performance or speech.
 Another strategy is to visualize calming
images that are unrelated to the task at hand,
such as a loved one's face or a tranquil beach.

7.  Deep breathing is a simple and effective
relaxation technique. Before taking the stage,
take a few deep breaths. Remember to
breathe naturally while giving your
presentation. Breathing can help ease stage
fright and anxiety.

8.  You've probably felt it before—your palms are
sweaty, your hands are shaking, and you have
a mild feeling of nausea. Whether you're
about to rock the crowd with your band or
speak in front of a large audience, stage
fright has a way of getting the better of even
the most experienced performer. So how do
you overcome the potentially crippling effects
of your own jittery nerves?

9.  Step 1: Know the Symptoms of Stage Fright
 Each person reacts differently to fear. What
are your symptoms of stage fright? Think
about it and identify them. This will help you
to combat stage fear .

10.  Step 2: Right Before You Hit the Stage
 Be prepared!
 Make sure you're well rehearsed before your
performance. You will only be more nervous
if you don't feel completely ready to go. You
might even try performing for a couple
friends beforehand as a sort of dress
rehearsal.

11.  Eat right. Don't consume any oily fast food at
hand in a fit of nervousness. Go easy on your
food. Choose something healthy and
nutritious.
 Warm up. Whether you sing, speak, or play an
instrument, you should warm up before you
perform. This will ensure you are comfortable
and at 100% from the first note of the show
(or the first word of your speech).

12.  Listen to music. Listening to music that will
pump you up can help get you energized,
confident, and in the zone. Conversely,
listening to soothing music might be best to
calm your nerves down.

13.  Meditate. With meditation, it's all about the
breathing. Learn some basic meditation
techniques or other relaxation breathing
exercises. This can help you focus while
relieving tension.

14.  Think positive. There's no reason to worry
about mistakes. The more you think about
messing up, the more likely you are to do it.
Picture yourself succeeding and executing
your performance flawlessly.

15.  Exercise. Doing some exercise can help you
expend some of that nervous energy in a
constructive way. Do some backstage push-
ups or jumping jacks.

16.  Do something silly. You're going to have to
leave your inhibitions behind, so you can't
worry about looking dumb. The best way to
combat this insecurity is to do something
that makes you feel silly or embarrassed
backstage like making funny faces or dancing
around. This can help you get over the feeling
and realize that even making a fool of
yourself isn't that bad.

17.  Remember you are there to have fun : go
ahead with confidence.
 On the stage – make eye contact
 Loosen up your body and avoid nervous
action s like fidgeting with your fingers etc.

18.  (1) Your Innate Potential Can Be Unlocked By
Yourself
 Practice in front of a mirror and record your
speech so you can listen to it later. In a way,
you're your own harshest critic...but you're also
your easiest audience. Practice in front of a
mirror. Listen to how the recording sounds. Don't
worry about improving your technique or about
how silly you sound. Do this over and over until
you no longer are nervous about speaking to an
audience of one--yourself.

19.  Practice in front of a family member you're
intimately close to. Choose your spouse ,your
parent, a child, or anybody close to you as a
family member could be. The only requirement is
that you trust them and that they have patience.
Then present your speech...and again at the next
opportunity...and again...until you're no longer
nervous. Then give it one more time to be sure.
You may or may not ask for feedback...whatever
you're comfortable with.

20.  Practice in front of one friend with whom
you're comfortable.
 Choose one friend and practice in front of
him or her. And do it again. Keep giving your
speech. Once you no longer feel trepidation
at the thought of speaking in "public" to one
friend, then you can move onto the next step
of increasing the number of the members in
your audience.

21.  Good Luck !!!
 Rock the stage !!!