3 Quick Tips for Getting Over Acting Class Anxiety

Feeling acting class anxiety? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Acting class anxiety is very common. It’s scary taking that step toward your dream, especially if it’s way outside of your comfort zone. You should feel proud about even having the courage to follow your dreams because most people will never push past the fear and take action as you have.

But, even seasoned actors may feel anxious when taking a class. It is not easy to perform in front of peers because they have a deeper understanding of what you are doing, and are not just spectators.

• Acting class anxiety is a common issue faced by many aspiring actors. It can be caused by:
• fear of public speaking (stage fright),
• fear of criticism, or even
• fear of failure.

This anxiety can make it difficult to perform in front of an audience. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to manage your acting class anxiety and help you become a better actor. You will be able to get past any anxieties you have about taking an acting class by

• understanding the sources of your anxiety,
• developing positive coping strategies, and
• practicing mindfulness techniques.

Read on for three easy ways to overcome the fear and move forward feeling much more confident.

[Read also: 5 Awesome Acting Training Tips]

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Tip #1. Remember that everyone else is nervous too.

Impostor Syndrome is a common mental block that can affect people across all industries and professions, and acting is no different. With Impostor Syndrome, you feel like a total fraud. You might think to yourself, “What am I doing here? I don’t fit in with these talented people. They’re going to laugh at me. They’re going to tell me to go home and do something else with my life.”

Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where an individual doubts their accomplishments and feels like a fraud. It can be experienced by anyone regardless of age, gender, or profession. Actors are especially vulnerable to imposter syndrome because they are constantly putting themselves in the spotlight and being judged by others.

At the root of Impostor Syndrome is chronic self-doubt. You don’t believe in your skill as an actor, so you feel inferior to everyone else. Ironically, everyone else in the class is probably feeling the same way, including your acting coach. Even experienced actors still get nervous. They still doubt themselves, and they still have off days.

We all doubt ourselves from time to time, especially when we’re trying something completely new. It’s human nature to obsess over our flaws and dismiss our strengths and talents. Don’t buy into those self-critical thoughts. If you can hold onto even the tiniest shred of belief in your abilities, you’ll feel more confident about at least giving your best effort, and that will be enough to keep building your confidence from there.

[Read also: 5 Must Read Books About Acting We Highly Recommend]

Tip #2. Focus on your scene partner.

Avoid getting caught up in worry about your performance, and instead, devote most of your focus to active listening with your scene partner. Stay engaged with them as they’re delivering their lines. Pay attention to their body language and facial expressions, and listen to what they’re saying. Even if it’s a monologue, there’s still an imaginary scene partner there, so keep your focus on them.

This will help you to stay present “in the moment” and immerse yourself in the scene, rather than thinking too far ahead and feeling nervous about what comes next. Be passionately involved and invested in the scene. Acting is not just about speaking your lines, it’s about fully embodying that character “in the moment” and genuinely interacting with the character of your scene partner.

Acting class anxiety can be a common experience for many actors. It can be difficult to focus on the scene when you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed. Fortunately, there are ways to help you manage your nerves and stay focused on your scene partner. One way is to practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, and positive self-talk.

Additionally, it can be helpful to focus on connecting with your scene partner by making eye contact and listening attentively. Finally, it can be beneficial to remind yourself why you chose this profession in the first place – for the love of storytelling! With these tips in mind, you can combat your acting class nerves and stay focused on delivering a great performance with your scene partner.

[Read also: 4 Ways Actors Feel Unsupported]

Tip #3. Allow yourself to be imperfect.

Acting classes are a great way to learn how to express yourself and explore your creative side. However, it can be intimidating to put yourself out there and make mistakes. It’s important to remember that perfection is not the goal of acting class. Instead, it’s about allowing yourself to be imperfect and learning from your mistakes.

Acting classes provide a safe space for you to take risks, make mistakes, and grow as an artist. They also help you build confidence in your abilities by allowing you to practice in front of an audience without feeling pressured or judged. Be willing to learn from your mistakes and strive for improvement each time. Then, you will be well on your way toward becoming a better actor.

You want to be a great actor, not a mediocre one. But while you’re still learning and growing into your craft, let it be okay that you might not do everything exactly right. No one is perfect, and you probably won’t be either.

[Read also: Why Taking a Vacation Can Improve Your Acting Career]

Conclusion

Acting is like anything else in life, the more you do it, the better you’re going to get at it. Let go of the pressure to deliver a perfect performance every single time. Instead, give it your best, have fun with it, learn from the experience, and let that be enough.

Finally… you can always start with an online acting class! 

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At Teacup of Wisdom, we share knowledge and insights about the entertainment industry from the actor’s point of view to inspire and empower your acting journey.