Overcoming Lack Of Confidence In The Performing Arts

By Author: Maxwell David
Total Articles: 26
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Lack of confidence can be one of the most severe problems to affect aspiring performers. However old you are and however good you are, if you don't feel confident going into new environments, meeting new people and performing to an audience, you're unlikely develop your skills to their very best.

Here at mystagedoor.co.uk, we hear from aspiring performers who are passionate about the performing arts and desperately want to succeed but lack the confident to throw themselves into new situations. The effects of feeling under-confident can range from getting a few nerves to having a complete blank and wanting to leave the particular situation. We all know that a few nerves can give you the edge in a new situation but anything more and you're likely to feel uncomfortable and unable to give your best.

If you feel that your development in the performing arts is being restricted by your lack of confidence, here are just a few things for you to remember:

#1 - Do Your Research: Do you want to join a theatre group or performing arts school? Have you got a part in a play or concert? Or are you just interested in ...
... meeting new people who also have an interest in the performing arts? If you are worried you lack the confidence to embrace the new challenge, do your research. There is nothing your nerves like less than surprises! So, spend some time making sure you know as much as you can about your new performing arts club or group before you go. Where is it? Who will be there? What will I be asked to do? Once you've got a better idea of what you will be doing in advance, you will feel more confident about going into the new situation.

# 2 - Trust: Fear of embarrassment is one of greatest causes of under-confidence. So, before you go into a new situation and once you've found out as much as you can about it, you need to trust the people you will be working with. You may think it's a bit soon to trust people you hardly know. However, you can trust good organisers, directors and coaches in the performing arts not to make you feel embarrassed or to humiliate you. Put a little trust in those in charge and you should begin to feel more relaxed.

#3 - Knowing your skills: When you go into a new situation, be it a club, performing arts school or theatre group, you should be absolutely aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Whilst you should be motivated to develop your performing arts skills and make progress, don't feel obliged to go beyond your limitations. It is true that directors and coaches often try to take their students out of their comfort zone in order to take them to new levels in their performance. However, if you're new to the environment, you shouldn't be expected to do anything you don't feel comfortable doing.

#4 - Put Yourself Forward: Once you've done your research, put trust in the organisers of the group you're joining and understood the importance of knowing your skills, you should feel more confident about putting yourself forward. While all of these things will help, they are not going to make all of your nerves magically disappear. Ultimately, you will build your confidence in the performing arts by trying your best to put yourself forward and involve yourself with as many activities as possible. This is the most powerful way to overcome your lack of confidence but, unfortunately, also the hardest. So, be brave and good luck!

Get everything you need to improve your performing arts skills and become a more confident performer with mystagedoor.co.uk. Register free today at mystagedoor.co.uk and get unlimited access to training tips and advice, showbiz news and events and the opportunity to join a global community of aspiring performers. Good luck!
Maxwell David is one of London's leading performing arts specialists and Co-Founder of performing arts, info on events in your area, industry news and the opportunity to meet other like-minded performers.