Recognize the symptoms of stage fright. A racing pulse, dry mouth, and nausea are all indicators of an attack of stage fright. Other symptoms include sweaty palms, tensed muscles, and relentless thoughts of impending failure.
Visualize success. Take deep breaths and imagine how you want your performance to go. Focus on the work, not on the audience. Once you are on stage, imagine the audience is filled with friends, or pretend they are not there. Focus your eyes on the back wall of the auditorium instead of on audience members.
Relax before the performance. Arrive at the venue in plenty of time to ensure you will not be rushed. Take a walk around the building to relax your tensed muscles. Bring a friend or family member with you who can keep you calm or make you laugh. Laughter is a known stress reliever.
Build confidence. Review the material you are going to perform each time you are to go on stage. Practice the material in front of family and friends. Their encouragement will carry you through attacks of stage fright. Force yourself to practice in front of groups of people, no matter how agonizing it may be. The more your practice, the less effect stage fright will have on your life.
Fake it till you make it. Exude confidence, even if you do not feel it. Imagine what it would be like if you were the best performer in the world. And act like it.
Distract yourself with positive energy. Before going on stage, turn up the radio and dance out your nerves or have a conversation with a friend about the upcoming weekend. The good feelings you create just before stage time will carry over into your performance.