How can you manage stress and maintain focus during a high-pressure live performance?

1 Prepare well

One of the best ways to reduce stress and increase focus is to prepare well for your performance. This means rehearsing your lines, cues, movements, and transitions until they become second nature. It also means checking your equipment, props, costumes, and set before the show to make sure everything is in working order. And it means warming up your body and voice, reviewing your notes, and visualizing your performance. By preparing well, you can boost your confidence, avoid mistakes, and anticipate problems.

2 Breathe deeply

Another effective technique to manage stress and maintain focus is to breathe deeply. Breathing deeply can calm your nerves, lower your heart rate, and oxygenate your brain. It can also help you relax your muscles, release tension, and improve your posture. You can practice deep breathing before, during, and after your performance, especially when you feel anxious, nervous, or overwhelmed. To breathe deeply, inhale through your nose for four counts, hold for four counts, and exhale through your mouth for four counts. Repeat this cycle several times until you feel more relaxed and focused.

3 Stay in the moment

One of the biggest challenges of live performance is to stay in the moment and not let your mind wander or worry. Staying in the moment means being fully present and engaged with your role, your scene partners, your audience, and your environment. It means not thinking about the past or the future, but focusing on the here and now. Staying in the moment can help you avoid distractions, cope with unexpected situations, and deliver a more authentic and compelling performance. To stay in the moment, you can use techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or anchoring.

4 Support each other

Live performance is not a solo act, but a collaborative effort. You are part of a team that works together to create a successful show. Therefore, one of the best ways to manage stress and maintain focus is to support each other. Supporting each other means being respectful, courteous, and helpful to your fellow performers and crew members. It means communicating clearly, listening actively, and giving constructive feedback. And it means celebrating your achievements, acknowledging your challenges, and learning from your experiences. By supporting each other, you can create a positive and productive atmosphere that enhances your performance.

5 Have fun

Finally, one of the most important tips to manage stress and maintain focus is to have fun. Having fun means enjoying the process and the outcome of your performance. It means expressing your creativity, passion, and personality. And it means embracing the challenges, risks, and rewards of live performance. Having fun can help you reduce stress, increase focus, and improve your mood. It can also help you connect with your audience, your colleagues, and yourself. To have fun, you can use techniques such as humor, games, or music.

6 Evaluate and improve

After your performance, you may feel a mix of emotions, such as relief, joy, pride, or disappointment. You may also have some feedback, comments, or critiques from your audience, your peers, or your mentors. These are valuable opportunities to evaluate and improve your performance. Evaluating and improving your performance means reflecting on your strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement. It means being honest, humble, and open to learning. And it means setting goals, making plans, and taking action to enhance your skills, knowledge, and confidence. By evaluating and improving your performance, you can manage stress and maintain focus better for your next live performance.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?