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Is being nervous good or bad thing?

Question:

I have stared in a couple of commercials and it is ok to be nervous once in a while but after your first performance things will go a lot easier.

Response:

Hello fellow actor      I’ve read your letter and all the responses and there’s truth in every response.  Nervousness can be both good and bad.  When someone says you should be nervous if you feel no nervousness.  Well that depends.  If you have done your work in rehersal and are confident.  Well that’s fine. Trust yourself.  If you’ve done your work and there is some nervousness than use that nervousness in the charactor.  To not use it would be a state of denial which would bleed into the charactor.  Both can be good and both can be bad.  The important thing is be well prepared through hard work in rehersal.  And use honestly and truthfully whatever you are feeling in the moment and allow it to enter into the charactor in a truthful and honest way. Regards Jose

Response:

    Hi, I’m a freshman in High School and have a question about being nervous when performing a play, live.  This may sound like a dumb question, but I guess I was just wondering enough to ask this newsgroup.  I hope someone who knows anything about this could respond.       My school just performed "Mame" this weekend and our acting coach told us that we actually should be nervous before going on because it helps you perform better.  I was a bit surprised, because usually people tell you not to be nervous, simply because there’s nothing to be nervous about.  I was also in my Middle School drama and even there the directors told us not to be worried about it.  The acting coach that we have really knows a lot about acting and is very talented herself.  I’d like your opinions on this topic.  Thank you! Lisa

Response:

 Hi, I’m a freshman in High School and have a question about being

nervous when performing a play, live.  This may sound like a dumb question, but I guess I was just wondering enough to ask this newsgroup.  I hope someone who knows anything about this could respond.       My school just performed "Mame" this weekend and our acting coach told us that we actually should be nervous before going on because it helps you perform better.  I was a bit surprised, because usually people tell you not to be nervous, simply because there’s nothing to be nervous about.  I was also in my Middle School drama and even there the directors told us not to be worried about it.  The acting coach that we have really knows a lot about acting and is very talented herself.  I’d like your opinions on this topic.  Thank you! Lisa<<<<<< Lisa… Yes many people (teachers/coaches) tell you not to be nervous especially when you’re just starting out (high school, etc) because being to excited may cause something horrible to happen (ie: loss of lines, fainting, barfing, etc) However, I have been nervouse every single time I perform. And yes being nervous does help.  It gives you that extra bit of energy to put the icing on the cake.  I’ve heard stories from many professionals that say, they worry when they’re not nervous. In my opinion there should alwasy be something to be nervous about.  Once that nervouses is Sorry to cut this brief, but I’ve got to go get ready for a performance. :) Write me if you have any other questions, or would just like to chat.  :) Sincerely Charley Miller

Response:

    My school just performed "Mame" this weekend and our acting coach told us that we actually should be nervous before going on because it helps you perform better.  I was a bit surprised, because usually people tell you not to be nervous…

Dear Lisa, Nervousness and excitement are the same energy.  One is negative and one is positive.  I think your coach had the right idea, but he used the wrong word.  You want to be EXCITED.  Adrenalin rush and all that.   It’s like football players when they are getting ready to play in the Super Bowl.  They know what they’re doing, they’re very good at it, and they are EXCITED.   Ed Hooks Author "The Audition Book (Winning Strategies for Breaking Into Theater, Film and TV)")

Response:

The only times I’ve not been nervous I’ve given a bad performance — The actors I’ve met who say they are never nervous are very few — anyway I’ve seen some of them before a show and I don’t believe it! What they mean is they’re just not TERRIFIED — some people get so apprehensive, they throw up, go into spasm, hyperventilate, all sorts. This is obviously not helpful, you have to learn how to manage it — experience is the only training for it, we all learn ways of coping that suit us. I really believe a bit of nervousness gives you that extra emotional edge, that element of danger that makes an audience take notice of you … just don’t let it take you over and get out of hand … and above all try not to let it show on stage, keep breathing, keep stretching when you have a rest period, keep calm. It usually goes away once you’re <on. Oh, by the way, it gets worse as you get older

Response:

Lisa – It’s not a dumb question at all. Like so many other things, it’s a question of degree. If you’re nervous before a test, it can cause you to concentrate more and study harder and be very focused on performing well. If you’re so nervous you can’t hold a pencil, sit still, or keep the questions from swimming in tears as you try to read them, you have a problem. The same thing applies to acting. Being nervous before you go on can make you concentrate and review the circumstances in which your character exists before and during your first beat on stage. It’s also comforting to know that almost every performer has nerves before going on. Ideally, however, you should be so into your character that you are not terribly concerned with your own feelings about being an actor before an audience. You should be feeling what your character is feeling. That’s the way through the panic. And then be grateful you’re not a standup comedian. :) Hope this helps. Best,   – Bill

    Hi, I’m a freshman in High School and have a question about being nervous when performing a play, live.  This may sound like a dumb question, but I guess I was just wondering enough to ask this newsgroup.  I hope someone who knows anything about this could respond.       My school just performed "Mame" this weekend and our acting coach told us that we actually should be nervous before going on because it helps you perform better.  I was a bit surprised, because usually people tell you not to be nervous, simply because there’s nothing to be nervous about.  I was also in my Middle School drama and even there the directors told us not to be worried about it.  The acting coach that we have really knows a lot about acting and is very talented herself.  I’d like your opinions on this topic.  Thank you! Lisa

Response:

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