Stage Fright

STAGE FRIGHT is a fear of speaking in front of a group of people.

This is often called “performance anxiety”. Actors call it “flop
sweat”. Psychologists call it “topophobia”.

Symptoms

dry mouth - tight throat - sweaty

hands

shaky hands - nausea - fast

pulse

trembling lips - shaky knees - cold hands

any out-of-the-ordinary outward or inward feeling occurring

before or during a presentation

How to Manage Stage Fright

 learn and practice diaphragmatic breathing

 learn to be grounded in your physical body

 give yourself permission to feel the nervous tension

 use the right joke at the right time

 involve your listeners

 concentrate on what you’re saying, not on how you’re saying

it

 prepare, prepare, prepare