Making it quick on my part.
Got a shot. Not a lot of live experience. Buddy who is a Radio DJ, says I would be great, part owner in club, needs M.C. Minus H.S. and a little in college I have never done anything like this. Trial run next week. TIPS???
signed,
Nervous Wreck,
wants the chance, no flop…
The best advice, and probably the hardest to do the first time out, is to relax. Easier said than done until you’ve gotten a few performances under your belt, unfortunately. Until you get more comfortable up on stage, here are some tips that have helped me out.
Whatever happens, pretend you meant to do it that way. Remember that the audience doesn’t know your script, so they won’t know you’ve messed up unless you start acting like you messed up. If something happens that you can’t cover up, just laugh off a little and continue on as if nothing happened. To you, it will feel like a big deal, but believe me, the audience will forget about it almost instantly.
Don’t turn your back to audience unless it’s part of the act. Walk sideways or backwards if you have to.
Don’t move too quickly, as it can make you look nervous, and make your movements and gestures have less impact.
Try to imagine yourself talking to the people in the back of the room. It may make you feel less nervous, as you won’t be able to see their faces as clearly as the folks in front, plus it will help ensure that you’re speaking loudly and clearly enough.
I almost forgot: good luck with the show!
Yeah, I love girl-on-girl action and…
Oh, thespian.
[sub]shut up, you were thinking it, too[/sub]
Have notes. When you freeze you’ll want something to fall back on so you’re not just standing there with a blank look on your face. Write down some bits that you’ve used before, or find out what is planned so that you’ll be prepared. Example: “Don’t forget that next Tuesday is Ladies’ night, blah, blah, blah.”
If they’re funny, so much the better, but be ready for that “brain stalled” moment.
“Thank you, thank you very much. I’m here 'til Thursday. Try the veal.”
Sublight, and NoCool(er), THANK YOU! A lot of things I didn’t know/haven’t thought of… brain stalled, is how I feel already… “smee” relaxes, a little now. Phew.
One more thing: when you’re feeling nervous, it’s easy (at least for me) to forget to smile and use a friendly tone of voice. This is something that will get better with practice, but try to talk as though you’re having a friendly conversation with the audience, and not as though you’re giving them orders (which is what your voice can turn into if you’re concentrating too much on being loud and clear).
Good luck!
The people in the audience are your buddies. Be comfortable around them.
Watch some stand-up routines on comedy central. No, not to steal their lines, but to watch their body language. Pay attention to what they do with their hands while they’re talking, how much they walk around, how they walk around.