How do you get rid of stage fright?

I always get nervous in front of people, even small crowds! I like acting and singing, and want to be less nervous on stage and enjoy myself more. Please help. My main problem is I get really shakey and my voice shakes when I sing and talk and so do my hands. I'm singing at Borders the book store soon, so please help!!!How do you get rid of stage fright?
I have found -- both from analyzing my early performance years and from coaching fledgling artists now -- that stage fright is a combination of three things:



1. Undeveloped self-confidence.

2. Lack of full preparation.

3. Being afraid of failure/humiliation.



For the first item, you need to develop a sense of being "in charge." You're the talent that people are watching, so you need to lead the parade. You can't just stand there and hope they'll like you -- you need to actively DO something to make them like you, which is of course perform well.



Second, do whatever it takes to not have to worry about one word or one note during the performance. Don't ever, ever, ever say the phrase, "that's good enough" -- you must prepare and refine and detail your material to death. Think about when you watch a classic musical, like "Singin' in the Rain." Gene Kelly makes it look so easy and carefree and fun, but you can trust me that he sweated like a pig in rehearsals until it WAS perfect. He didn't step in front of the cameras having done just enough to squeak by. Anyway, rehearse your material until it's second nature. If you're using sheet music for this upcoming gig, I strongly recommend actually memorizing most of it -- audiences prefer not to watch someone stare at their music. [Whenever I do a "Messiah" performance I hold the score only for decorum's sake -- even the first time I did that work, I didn't want to fuss with having to read the music while I sang.]



And thirdly, don't start to doubt yourself in performance by starting to have an interior monologue along the lines of, "Gee, is the audience enjoying this?" It's very easy to become unduly fixated on thinking you're being judged. Though you ARE being judged by virtue of the audience naturally expecting a good performance, you can win them over by GIVING them that good performance. In other words, just let yourself go and enjoy what you're doing -- audiences really like watching someone who's obviously enjoying themselves. Don't you? :-) This is why you want to work like a dog in rehearsal -- to fix problems, overcome difficult sections, and generally work out all the kinks. By doing so, you can just relax at the gig and showcase the fruits of your labor -- a terrific performance.



Oh, and if you make a gaffe in performance, don't dwell on it. A performance is like driving a car that has no "Reverse" gear and no rear-view windows -- there is simply no way to immediately visit or even view the scene of the crime until afterward. Audiences will hardly start throwing rotten tomatoes if you make a goof -- as long as you show some pluck and just sashay forward with a smile on your face. Think about it -- when a figure skater falls down, do they STAY down? Really think about that. When they get up, they know they simply will not win the gold medal, but they don't worry about that at the moment -- they simply resume the program back at full performance level.



Hope this helps. Break a leg.
I started my own band when i was 18 and i hated being on stage, shakey, voice shakes, all that stuff. Really the only way to get better is to keep doing it. Just like anything else, the more you do it the more comfortable you'll get with it.How do you get rid of stage fright?
Gotta just do it! I find that small crowds are actually more nerve wracking than big ones. Practice, practice and practice more. Make sure you know your stuff inside and out. Don't worry about mistakes, learn how to cover mistakes well and you'll always come off looking like a pro. Most people are not trained musicians and really have no idea when you eff up (unless you don't cover it well) Just take a breath, be in the moment and enjoy yourself! Have fun :)
First%26lt;RELAX!I know this sounds pat,but,believe me,you have to.Just rememebr,the audience wants to like you.Look out over the crowd,never at them,put your hands behind you,close yourr eyes and sing your heart out.if you need to,take a mild traquilizer too!TLHow do you get rid of stage fright?
well i just don't look at the people and just pretend they arent there.
Have a good mixed drink before and.....oh wait BAD idea!!!



I practice in front of a mirror till I feel comfortable with myself, then I work in front of stuffed animals, then friends and family, it sounds silly I know but it works.



If I still feel nervous I meditate, picture some place I would rather be and keep that in my mind as I perform.



Break a leg!