Sun Aug 17, 2025 02:27 PM
Last update on: Sun Aug 17, 2025 02:34 PM
Sun Aug 17, 2025 02:27 PM Last update on: Sun Aug 17, 2025 02:34 PM
Photo: Collected / Victor Rodvang / Unsplash
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Photo: Collected / Victor Rodvang / Unsplash
Increased heart rate, dry mouth, butterflies in the stomach, and a fear of failure or embarrassment…stage fright is the stuff of nightmares and for many performers, an unshakeable enemy that is hell bent on ruining everything.
I recently had a chance to take part in the Global Encounters Arts and Sports Festival in Dubai, representing Bangladesh in the Vocals category. For someone who enjoys singing, I am painfully nervous. Therefore, once I push myself to sign up for public performances, the days leading up to the actual act are pure torture.
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Most performers understand the world to be a fairly judgemental place. We are perhaps more scared of embarrassing ourselves than others who work outside of the limelight. Stage fright is just that, the fear of slipping up and embarrassing ourselves in front of an audience.
It catapults the body into the fight or flight mode and while absolutely normal, the consequent physiological reactions can hamper performance. This is exactly why a perfectly well-rehearsed song can sound off tune during the main performance or why a common word will make one stutter through an entire presentation.
The good news, I have learned, is that with enough practice and preparation, this anxiety can quickly be managed, and even turned into excitement.
Photo: Collected / Rishabh Dharmani / Unsplash
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Photo: Collected / Rishabh Dharmani / Unsplash
Practice
If there is one sure-shot way of acing a public appearance, it is practice. Knowing your material inside out can build confidence and reduce uncertainty. I spoke to some friends in Dubai and most, like me, had simple ways to counter their anxiety.
“I practice in front of a mirror,” shared Sajina Manjee, a vocalist from Dubai. “This way I can see my actions and expressions, and know which ones to keep and which to eliminate.”
The young performer maintains that it reduces awkwardness and streamlines her performance to whatever is really working for her.”
You can also record yourself or perform in front of friends and family. The better you know your content, the less chance you have of making mistakes on the big day.
Photo: Collected / Hasan Almasi / Unsplash
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Photo: Collected / Hasan Almasi / Unsplash
A body in fight or flight mode will sweat more, tremble more and result in a sandy mouth. Practising deep breathing helps detangle those nerves, and mindfulness meditation can also help in reducing physical tension and promoting mental clarity.
Farhad Shami, a 17-year-old hip hop dancer from Malaysia, warned, however, that while these techniques can help with stage fright, they must be practised ahead of time. “It isn’t something you hurriedly do, an hour before you go on stage.”