[MaryMag]

My nervousness before auditions is really disappearing. At first I thought this was great - I noticed that my brain was free to actually THINK and RESPOND in the midst of singing/doing my monologue instead of just fighting to remain conscious. But I'm starting to miss that insane energy nervousness gave me. I danced SO hard when I was nervous, projected more, and just had more energy in my performance. And now I just kinda do it.

To those auditioners who have gone to enough auditions to lose your nerves, what have you done to keep your performance energy up? Now that I'm more relaxed, it feels like I care less. I don't ACTUALLY care less, (well, maybe I do. Maybe I realize not getting a role is not the end of the world, and maybe I didn't know that before...) ANYWAY, has anyone else experienced this lack of energy once the nerves disappear? How do you combat that?

[Elphie'sfan]

Call me weird, but I've never had stage fright, and never been afraid to audition. Maybe it's because I grew up on stage. To get my energy up before I audition, I make sure I pick an exciting and up-beat piece both for the song and the monologue. Then I really "get into" what I"m doing.... not for the auditor's sake, but because I love what I'm doing.

[jazzygirlsings]

Honestly, I change up my rep from time to time to keep myself on my toes...If there's a song that works great for you and you use it ALL THE TIME, it's best to mix it up a little. Same goes with monologues.

I also do a warm-up before the audition that includes singing songs that just happen to pop into my head...It reminds me why I love singing so much in the first place!

I find that I get more and more nervous as the callbacks go on because I've now invested time and energy into it and I'm obviously on the right track of being what they're looking for...

Initial auditions are no biggie...

Losing the nerves is a good thing because you can focus on your work better and showing the panel who YOU are...

[Maryssa]

I'm the opposite of Jazzy. I get pretty nervous at auditions, but if I get a callback, I'm less nervous, because I know they thought I was good, and it gives me a lot more confidence.

[broadwaygirl1988]

I agree, I am the same way. Auditions make me nervous but callbacks make me feel great--knowing that the directors saw something in me that wanted them to see me for a second time.

[star2ballie]

I'm kind of the same way as the last two...but I think that may stem just from my personal experiences.

See, in the theatres where I work (for the MOST part)...if you get a call-back, there is a 98% chance you are in the show. Whether you get the role you're being called back for is totally up in the air, but it means you will most likely get ensemble, for sure.

So, because of that, I am extremely nervous at auditions, and call-backs I am calm, collected and confident.

I'm sure that will all change once I'm out in the 'real world!!'

[Dancediva19]

I recently have lost almost all my nervousness when auditioning, performing, etc. And I'm glad because then I can actually think more about smiling or showing whatever emotion, making eye contact with the audience, making sure I remember little things I always mess up.

But to get more energy, do something to loosen up. I was in a reader's theatre thing for my school fine arts festival a couple weeks ago and I was totally relaxed before it, having just performed in Anything Goes the previous weekend. But some of my non-actor friends who were in the reader's theatre (I go to a tiny high school, so the need for participation is much greater than the need for talent) were getting really nervous beforehand. So I led an exciting round of the Hokey Pokey to help the nervous people relax and to help me get pumped up. I realize you can't really do the Hokey Pokey during an audition, but do something that gets you excited, and then focus that energy into your singing and acting.

[Trevor]

I don't get nervous anymore and for that I'm glad. I project and stuff no matter what... but now, like you said, I don't have to worry about passing out or falling or something dumb.