stage fright
Pre-curtain panic
Stage fright is the nervousness or anxiety that strikes before or during a performance in front of an audience.
It affects actors, musicians, public speakers, and anyone facing scrutiny: Even seasoned performers get stage fright.
Physical symptoms include sweating, trembling, dry mouth, and a racing heart.
Involuntary shaking motion
- sweatingMoisture through pores
- palpitationsAwareness of abnormal heartbeat
- butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness
- jittersNervous agitation
shakiness · dry mouth · blanking · freezing · nausea · blushing · stammering · hyperventilation
Persistent apprehensive distress
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
trepidation · fear · unease · self-doubt · insecurity · self-consciousness · vulnerability · embarrassment
Concentrated illumination source
- curtainFabric hung for privacy
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- wingsLimbs for flight
- auditionTrial performance for selection
rehearsal · debut · opening night · monologue · encore · applause · understudy · prompter
Raised platform for speakers
- lecternTilted stand for texts
- microphoneAudio input device
- presentationFormal display to viewers
- speechOral communication ability
keynote · audience · Q&A · teleprompter · notes · projection · articulation · stammering
Pulmonary gas exchange
- visualizationForming mental or graphical images
- preparationArranging things in advance
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
- beta-blockersHeart rate reducers
meditation · affirmations · grounding · warm-up · ritual · focus · desensitization · therapy
Delay from uncertainty
- procrastinationHabitual task avoidance
- excusesExplanations offered for faults
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- cold feetPre-event loss of confidence
paralysis · blocking · refusal · evasion · reluctance · cancellation · no-show
trembling
Involuntary shaking motion
- sweatingMoisture through pores
- palpitationsAwareness of abnormal heartbeat
- butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness
jitters · shakiness · dry mouth · blanking · freezing · nausea · blushing · stammering · hyperventilation · racing heart
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
terror · trepidation · fear · unease · self-doubt · insecurity · self-consciousness · vulnerability · embarrassment · humiliation
spotlight
Concentrated illumination source
audition · rehearsal · debut · opening night · monologue · encore · applause · understudy · prompter · blocking
podium
Raised platform for speakers
- lecternTilted stand for texts
- microphoneAudio input device
- presentationFormal display to viewers
speech · keynote · audience · Q&A · teleprompter · notes · projection · articulation · stammering · mumbling
breathing
Pulmonary gas exchange
- visualizationForming mental or graphical images
- preparationArranging things in advance
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
beta-blockers · meditation · affirmations · grounding · warm-up · ritual · focus · desensitization · therapy · exposure
hesitation
Delay from uncertainty
- procrastinationHabitual task avoidance
- excusesExplanations offered for faults
- withdrawalAct of taking away
cold feet · paralysis · blocking · refusal · evasion · reluctance · cancellation · no-show
- performance anxietychoking, freezing up, jitters, nerves, public speaking fear
- public speaking fearsshaky voice, stumbling, stuttering, dry mouth, voice cracking
- open micamateur night, comedy night, emcee, first-timer, five minutes
- open micsopen mic night, sign-up sheets, sign-up sheet, emcee, emcees
- theater jargoncurtain call, dress rehearsal, greenroom, opening night, places
- theatrical memoiropening night, curtain call, standing ovation, tech rehearsal, preview nights
stage frightstage presence
Performer's commanding aura
confidence · composure · poise · self-assurance · aplomb
stage frightexhibitionism
Urge to expose oneself
attention-seeking · ham · show-off · narcissism · extroversion
stage frightclutch performance
Success under intense pressure
grace under pressure · flow state · peak performance · rising to the occasion · nerves of steel
stage, afraid, fright, frighten, stadium, staged, staging, stages, backstage