Three Keys for Overcoming Stage Fright

Stage fright among performers has always represented the opposite of the ideal: engaged presentation that approaches total focus with no distractions by the audience.

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a researcher who has examined people’s ability to become totally and effortlessly absorbed in activities that stand out in their lives. He coined the term “flow” to refer to a state of focused absorption—a merging of action and awareness. where consciousness, mind and body become harmoniously directed without indecision or anxiety.

A study of what makes the flow experience more attainable for music students has lessons to teach about how to obtain unfettered engagement in other sorts of activities where an audience is co present.

The researchers Bloom and Skutnick-Henley specifically wanted to draw attention to things musicians might do to get into flow more often. They were interested in differentiating between music students who were prone to flow in their playing vs. those who were not. (See: Facilitating Flow Experiences among Musicians by Arvid J. Bloom, Paula Skutnick-Henley; American Music Teacher, Vol. 54, April-May 2005.)

From the data gathered from a sample of 90 adult, classical instrumental musicians, five key predictors of flow proneness were identified:

l. Self confidence and self trust while playing
2. Desire to experience and express feelings through music
3. Having experience goals
4. Ability to maintain focus on the music
5. Ability to play without self criticism

As a description of anxiety free performance, these predictors would seem to have ready application to public speaking and stage performance of other kinds as well.

Some of these keys help us understand what can be done to reduce stage fright in other contexts. If self confidence is key, then through preparation would seem to be in order to ensure a competent performance. Using a public performance as an opportunity for self expression seems to heighten engagement and thereby reduce the distractions of an audience.

Finally, the ability to present or perform without self criticism is clearly indicated as a condition that favors less anxiety.

Stage fright for performers induces painful feelings prior to the event and manifests itself for many in a kind of reluctance to perform that can be career threatening. Some of the ideas presented from this study suggest that if the presentation can be transformed into a flow activity, stage fright may be substantially reduced.

Stage Fright Defined