Conquering the Spotlight: The Journey from Audition Anxiety to Stardom

Once upon a time, a young girl named Emma dreamed of acting in movies…

But there was a little problem – she got super nervous whenever she had to audition. 

Emma was just nine years old when she started going to these auditions. 

She would feel butterflies in her stomach and her hands would get all sweaty. 

It was scary to stand in front of people who were deciding if she was good for the role. 

But Emma didn't give up. 

She kept trying, and with each audition, she got a little braver.

She practiced a lot, learned to take deep breaths to calm down, and imagined herself doing great.

And guess what? 

It worked! Emma got better at handling her nerves, and one day, she got the biggest role of her life – she became Hermione Granger in the "Harry Potter" movies, which are celebrated all around the world.

Emma's story shows us that it's okay to be nervous, and if we keep trying and believe in ourselves, we can do amazing things. 

So, if you or your child ever feel scared about trying out for something, remember Emma and think, "If she could do it, so can I!"

Read on to discover…

The 11 Ways To Overcome Stage Fright And Calm Your Nerves Before An Audition

Calming a child's nerves before an audition is crucial for helping them perform their best. 

Here are eleven of our favorite strategies that we’ve seen work time and again with our clients. Feel free to use as many of these as you would like! 

1. Preparation is Key:

    * Ensure your child is well-prepared for the audition. Practice with them until they feel confident about their performance.

    * Familiarize them with the venue and the process if possible. Knowing what to expect can reduce anxiety.

• Mock Auditions: Conduct mock auditions at home to simulate the actual experience. This can help your child get used to the feeling of being observed and performing under pressure.

• Feedback Loop: After practice sessions, provide constructive feedback along with praise for what they did well. This can help them improve and build confidence.

2. Discuss Feelings:

    * Talk to your child about their feelings. Acknowledge that it's normal to feel nervous before an audition.

    * Encourage them to express their fears and concerns and offer reassurance.

• Role-Playing: Role-play different audition outcomes with your child, including not getting the part. This can help them understand that rejection is not a reflection of their self-worth and is a normal part of the audition process.

• Support Network: Remind them that they have a support network of family and friends who believe in them and will be proud of them no matter the outcome.

3. Visualization Techniques:

    * Teach your child to visualize success. Have them close their eyes and imagine performing flawlessly and receiving applause.

    * Visualization can help create a positive mindset and reduce fear of failure.

• Positive Affirmations: Encourage your child to use positive affirmations. Phrases like “I am confident” and “I can do this” can be powerful in building a positive mindset.

• Success Stories: Share stories of other children or actors who have successfully overcome their nerves. This can provide them with relatable role models and concrete examples of how visualization and a positive attitude lead to success.

4. Breathing Exercises:

    * Practice deep breathing exercises with your child. Deep, slow breaths can help calm the mind and reduce physical symptoms of nervousness.

    * You can use the "4-7-8" technique: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, and exhale for 8 seconds.

    * Watch our founder Kurt Domoney perform his hissing breath exercise to instantly calm nerves in this 50-second video:

5. Routine Development:

    * Create a pre-audition routine to help your child feel grounded and focused. This could include a warm-up, a favorite song, or a motivational talk.

• Relaxation Techniques: Incorporate relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation or gentle yoga stretches into the routine to help release physical tension.

• Consistent Schedule: Try to keep the routine at a consistent time before each audition. This predictability can be calming and can help establish a sense of normalcy and control.

6. Healthy Lifestyle:

    * Ensure your child gets enough sleep the night before and eats a healthy meal that’s not too heavy.

    * Avoid caffeine and sugar before the audition, as they can heighten anxiety.

7. Distraction and Fun:

    * Keep your child distracted with light conversation or a fun activity before the audition to prevent overthinking.

    * Sometimes, a good laugh or a playful moment can ease the tension significantly.

• Favorite Games: Bring along a favorite board game or a deck of cards to play with your child while waiting. This can help keep their mind off the audition and pass the time in an enjoyable way.

• Creative Outlets: Encourage your child to bring a sketchbook, journal, or a book to read. Engaging in a creative activity or getting lost in a story can be a great distraction.

8. Positive Reinforcement:

    * Offer positive reinforcement. Remind your child of past successes and their unique talents.

    * Let them know you're proud of them, no matter the outcome.

• Celebration of Effort: Emphasize the importance of effort over outcome. Celebrate the fact that they're trying and putting themselves out there, which is a victory in itself.

• Constructive Goals: Set small, achievable goals for each audition beyond getting the part, like delivering a certain line with confidence or managing to smile to the panel. This can help them see success in their progress and efforts, not just in the result.

9. Practice Mindfulness:

    * Encourage your child to practice mindfulness or meditation. Even a few minutes can help them stay present and calm.

• Mindful Breathing: Teach your child simple mindful breathing exercises they can do anywhere, such as taking ten slow, deep breaths to center themselves before the audition begins.

• Sensory Focus: Guide them to use their senses to stay present, like noticing five things they can see, four they can hear, three they can touch, two they can smell, and one they can taste.

10. Arrive Early:

    * Getting to the audition early can help alleviate the stress of being late and give your child time to acclimate to the environment.

• Scout the Location: If possible, visit the audition location beforehand so your child can familiarize themselves with the journey and the space, making it less intimidating on the day of the audition.

• Quiet Time: Use the extra time for some quiet reflection or reading, which can serve as a mental 'reset' before the audition starts.

11. Professional Guidance:

    * If your child is consistently nervous and it's affecting their performance, consider seeking guidance from a performance coach or a child psychologist who specializes in performance anxiety.

Remember, the goal is to help your child feel prepared and confident, not just for the audition but for handling nerves in any performance situation.