How to handle nerves for a big audition

So you have an audition coming up and it’s in person, not behind a camera where you get multiple rounds to try and get it “perfect.”

This may be the first round, second round, third round or more trying out for a team, but you’re optimistic and think this could be the time that counts. 

Before you start that audition, you’ve probably been prepping for weeks, months, years, and think it all comes down to this moment and all the ways that you can stand out and do your best.

Then the nerves settle in and take over…uh oh. Or oh s*@%!

I’m going to walk you through several ways you can control your nerves, so when that moment comes up you’re asking yourself “what nerves,” and you just go for it. 

#1: Don’t put the pressure on you. Put it elsewhere outside of you

Look. We have too much pressure on ourselves with everyday life, from family to kids to work life and more! Let this chance to dance and perform take you away from all of that and have fun. 

When we get nervous we make it about us when we need to really look outside of ourselves and focus on what you can do for someone else. That’s one of the keys to handling nerves. Stop being so selfish! 

If you think about why you’re really there, you want to entertain. I guarantee you that’s what the judges are looking for. “Can this person wow me?” Shoot, half the time the judges don’t know what a pirouette is or looks like, so why are you stressing over not hitting it, right?

I promise if you have the mindset of having fun and entertaining (or serving) others who are looking, your nerves won’t take over as much as they used to. 

#2: Breathe every chance you get

Breathing is so important to calm your nerves. When you breathe you are literally sending oxygen to your muscles to relax them. Your muscles need oxygen, so send it to them every chance you get. 

As a matter of fact, think of every single part of the audition and make a mental note to take a deep breath before each part. 

When you wake up that day, while you’re warming up and stretching, while you’re talking to others and while you’re waiting in the wings for your turn to perform. 

Your body will thank you for breathing and bringing you back to a more zen place where it should be. 

You can even practice breathing in everyday life. Say you don’t have an audition coming up for a couple of months, start now with those breathing techniques by fitting them into your daily routine. I do this a lot when I’m working and when something isn’t going as planned. It works so, happy breathing!

#3 Talk to someone on the day of your audition

You may arrive super focused, but like I said before if you can take the spotlight off of you for a minute, that can help with your nerves. 

When you talk to someone you are practicing active listening and focusing on what they are saying instead of your own thoughts.

I encourage you to talk to someone when you walk through those audition doors. Make new friends and discover that you might have more in common with that person than you have that’s different. You could make a new friend!

In conclusion

How do you fix nerves? Well, I don’t know if you can get rid of them completely because it’s part of the human experience. However, there are several ways to practice controlling your nerves like taking a deep breath and asking yourself, “What can I do to serve others?”

What is also part of the human experience? Connection. Connecting with people will help ease those nerves and get you out of your own head.

Take a deep breath and close your eyes. Most of our sensory stimulation comes from the eyes, so give your brain a much needed break and let oxygen get to your muscles and through your body with a few deep breaths.

Check out this topic and more on this week’s podcast on Apple Podcasts. It’s called The ImPerfect Cheerleader for those who may be new here.

Go be great.