VIBE Talk by Andrea Vibe - Keeping the 3 C’s Onstage: Staying Cool, Calm, and Collected

One of the most difficult challenges for an entertainer is working through anxiety and performing for an audience. Here are some tips to help you keep Cool, Calm, and Collected!

Be Prepared

When you know your music or script well, you are more likely to put to rest any fear of mistakes. Learn good practice skills-including dissecting the notes, dynamics, and the character or idea of the piece. Don’t just go through it over and over to memorize it. Analyze, and try to find a connection with what you are performing.

Reduce Stress

Everyone has different ways to reduce their stress. Prayer, yoga, meditation, exercise, deep breaths-find your own anxiety buster, and practice it regularly!

Practice Visualization

Visualize yourself relating well to an audience. They are interested in your performance, and you are relaxed and performing well. When the curtain really goes up, often your mental image will help to become a reality.

Use Positive Thinking

Instead of dreading your performance saying to yourself, “I am so nervous” or “I’ll never get those high notes,” try using positive thinking. Replace those thoughts with, “I am so excited” and “I know I can hit those high notes."

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Even the pros admit that perfect performances are hard to come by. Recognize your mistakes, but don’t get stuck by focusing on them. Try to find as many positive things about your performance as things that need to improve.

Be Persistent

Don’t give up! An overnight success is extremely rare. It takes time for someone to become a president of a corporation. Think about how many scientists have failed before their invention was perfected! Setbacks can be learning tools. Hang in there, and success can be just around the corner.