5 Practical Tips to Overcome Stage Fright and Perform Confidently as an Artist

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 19 June 2023 8 min read

Stage fright can often feel like an insurmountable barrier for artists trying to express themselves and connect with their audience. However, with the right strategies and mindset, you can learn how to overcome stage fright and perform confidently as an artist. In this blog, we'll explore five practical tips to help you conquer your fears and shine on stage.

1. Embrace Preparation

Being prepared is one of the most effective ways to combat stage fright and ensure a confident performance. By taking the time to refine your craft and practice your performance, you'll naturally feel more at ease on stage. Let's look at three key aspects of embracing preparation:

Establish a Routine

Creating a consistent practice routine is vital to mastering your art and building confidence. By dedicating time each day to rehearsing and refining your skills, you'll not only improve as an artist but also feel more prepared to perform in front of an audience. Make sure you cover the following in your routine:

Warm-ups to fine-tune your body and mind for the performance
Practicing challenging sections of your piece to build proficiency
Simulating the performance environment, including stage setup and audience presence

Rehearse in Front of Others

Performing in front of friends, family, or even fellow artists can help you get comfortable in the spotlight and receive valuable feedback. Start small with a trusted circle and gradually expand the size of your audience. This exposure will help you get used to the feeling of being watched and ultimately make it easier for you to overcome stage fright and perform confidently as an artist.

Visualize Success

Before stepping on stage, take a moment to envision yourself performing confidently and successfully. This mental exercise can help calm your nerves and set a positive tone for your performance. Focus on the following aspects:

How you'll look and sound on stage
The reaction of your audience
How you'll feel after the performance

By visualizing a successful performance, you'll cultivate a mindset of self-assurance and be better equipped to face your stage fright head-on.

2. Utilize Breathing Techniques

Learning to control your breath is a powerful tool in overcoming stage fright and performing confidently as an artist. Deep, mindful breathing can help calm your nerves, increase focus, and stabilize your emotions. Let's explore three effective breathing techniques to incorporate into your pre-performance routine:

Deep Breathing Exercises

Deep breathing exercises are a simple yet effective way to reduce stress and anxiety before hitting the stage. To practice deep breathing, follow these steps:

Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose for a count of four.
Hold your breath for a count of four.
Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of four.
Repeat this process until you feel calmer and more focused.

By focusing on your breath, you'll be better equipped to manage your nerves and perform confidently as an artist.

Mindful Breathing

Mindful breathing involves paying close attention to the sensation of your breath as it flows in and out of your body. This technique can help you stay present in the moment and alleviate anxiety. To practice mindful breathing, try the following:

Find a quiet space and sit comfortably.
Take slow, deep breaths, focusing on the sensation of your breath entering and leaving your body.
If your mind wanders, gently bring your focus back to your breath.
Continue for a few minutes or until you feel more relaxed and centered.

Engaging in mindful breathing before a performance can help you overcome stage fright and maintain a calm demeanor on stage.

Box Breathing Method

Also known as square breathing, the box breathing method is a powerful technique to manage anxiety and improve focus. To practice box breathing, follow these steps:

Inhale through your nose for a count of four.
Hold your breath for a count of four.
Exhale through your mouth for a count of four.
Hold your breath again for a count of four.
Repeat this process until you feel more composed and in control.

By incorporating box breathing into your pre-performance routine, you'll be better prepared to overcome stage fright and deliver a confident performance as an artist.

3. Connect with Your Audience

Establishing a connection with your audience can make a significant difference in overcoming stage fright and performing confidently as an artist. When you connect with your audience, you create an atmosphere of support and encouragement, making it easier to manage your nerves. Let's look at three ways to connect with your audience before and during your performance:

Engaging Eye Contact

Maintaining eye contact with your audience is a powerful way to show confidence and build rapport. When you look directly at your audience members, you communicate that you're present, engaged, and genuinely interested in sharing your art with them. To make the most of eye contact, try these tips:

Scan the audience instead of focusing on a single point.
Hold eye contact with individual audience members for a few seconds at a time.
Remember to blink naturally—don't stare!

By making an effort to connect through eye contact, you'll help your audience feel more involved and invested in your performance, which in turn can help you overcome stage fright.

Interact During Performance

Another way to connect with your audience is to interact with them during your performance. This could mean asking questions, encouraging participation, or simply acknowledging their presence with a smile or nod. Engaging with your audience in this way can help create a more relaxed and supportive atmosphere, making it easier for you to perform confidently as an artist. Here are a few ideas for interacting with your audience:

Ask open-ended questions to invite participation and discussion.
Share anecdotes or personal stories that your audience can relate to.
Invite audience members to join you on stage or participate in an activity.

By actively involving your audience in your performance, you'll create a more memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Sharing your personal story as an artist can help create an emotional connection with your audience, making it easier to overcome stage fright and perform confidently. By opening up about your journey, your challenges, and your triumphs, you invite your audience to understand and appreciate your art on a deeper level. To effectively share your story, consider these tips:

Be authentic and honest about your experiences.
Focus on the emotions and lessons you've learned along the way.
Highlight how your experiences have shaped your art and your perspective.

By sharing your story with your audience, you create a bond that can help you feel more at ease and supported during your performance, ultimately helping you overcome stage fright and perform confidently as an artist.

4. Create a Supportive Environment

Creating a supportive environment is key to overcoming stage fright and performing confidently as an artist. When you surround yourself with people who believe in you and offer encouragement, it becomes easier to manage your nerves and focus on your performance. Let's explore three ways to create a supportive environment for yourself:

Build a Support Network

Having a strong support network is essential for any artist looking to overcome stage fright. This network can include friends, family, fellow artists, and mentors who can offer advice, encouragement, and constructive feedback. To build a solid support network, try these tips:

Reach out to friends and family who understand and appreciate your art.
Attend workshops, classes, or meetups to connect with like-minded artists.
Stay in touch with your supporters and keep them updated on your progress.

By cultivating a support network, you'll have a community of people who can help you navigate the challenges of overcoming stage fright and performing confidently as an artist.

Seek Mentorship

Finding a mentor who has experience and success in your artistic field can be invaluable in helping you overcome stage fright. A mentor can offer guidance, share their own experiences, and provide constructive feedback to help you grow as an artist. To find a mentor, consider these steps:

Identify artists or professionals in your field who you admire and respect.
Reach out to potential mentors through social media, email, or at events.
Be open and honest about your goals and challenges, and ask for their guidance.

With the support of a mentor, you can gain valuable insights and advice to help you conquer stage fright and perform confidently as an artist.

Join Local Performance Groups

Participating in local performance groups can offer a supportive space for you to practice and develop your skills, while also helping you build connections with fellow artists. These groups can provide opportunities to perform in front of a friendly and supportive audience, which can help you gradually overcome your stage fright. To find local performance groups, try these suggestions:

Search online for local groups or clubs in your artistic field.
Attend open mic nights or performances to meet other artists.
Ask your support network for recommendations or connections.

By joining local performance groups, you'll gain access to a supportive community where you can practice, learn, and grow in confidence as an artist.

5. Adopt a Growth Mindset

Adopting a growth mindset is another crucial step in overcoming stage fright and performing confidently as an artist. With a growth mindset, you'll recognize that your abilities can be developed and improved over time, rather than being fixed and unchangeable. This mindset can empower you to face challenges head-on and embrace opportunities for growth. Let's dive into three ways to adopt a growth mindset:

Learn from Mistakes

Instead of viewing mistakes as failures, see them as opportunities to learn and grow. Remember, even the most successful artists have made mistakes and experienced setbacks throughout their careers. To learn from your mistakes, consider these tips:

Analyze what went wrong and identify areas for improvement.
Discuss your performance with your support network or mentor for feedback.
Use your newfound knowledge to make adjustments and improve in future performances.

By learning from your mistakes, you'll be better equipped to overcome stage fright and perform confidently as an artist.

Set Achievable Goals

Setting achievable goals can help you stay motivated and focused on your growth as an artist. Break your larger goals into smaller, manageable steps that will guide you towards overcoming stage fright and improving your performance skills. To set achievable goals, try these strategies:

Be specific about what you want to accomplish and set a timeline for achieving it.
Break your goals into smaller tasks that can be completed over time.
Regularly assess your progress and adjust your goals as needed.

By setting achievable goals, you'll have a clear roadmap to guide you in overcoming stage fright and performing confidently as an artist.

Embrace Continuous Improvement

A commitment to continuous improvement is essential for any artist who wants to overcome stage fright and perform confidently. This means always striving to enhance your skills, learn new techniques, and advance your artistic abilities. To embrace continuous improvement, consider these tips:

Take workshops, classes, or lessons in your artistic field.
Practice regularly and consistently to refine your skills.
Seek feedback from your support network, mentor, or fellow artists.

By embracing continuous improvement, you'll be well on your way to overcoming stage fright and performing confidently as an artist, no matter the challenges you face.

If you're looking to improve your performance skills and gain confidence on stage, don't miss the workshop 'Gaining Confidence As A Performer' by Debbie Knox-Hewson. This workshop is designed to help you overcome stage fright and develop the self-assurance needed to captivate your audience every time.