Do you ever get nervous when getting ready to perform? If so, what helps to calm the nerves?

I know that in order to do my best work I need to stay both calm and energized. The feeling of adrenaline coursing through your body as it prepares to do dangerous exciting tasks (like acting before a camera or audience) can be very disquieting if you're not used to it, but you should expect an adrenaline rush and welcome heightened feelings which can cause anxiety if you're not ready for them. I do basic centering and breathing exercises from my study of yoga and Tai Chi Chuan to keep me in the moment and ready to work .

There are many different thoughts and practices that people have to calm their nerves.

Before I perform it helps me to think that the people in the audience want to enjoy the show. They are rooting for me to do well because if I do well, they will see a better performance and therefore have a better time. This way I can imagine feeling their support instead of feeling intimidated by them. It is like we are working as a team!

The circumstances of any scene in theatre or film is one in which the stakes are so high, the character enters the room with his heart pounding and palms sweating, so nerves are often very useful. As you continue to work more and more over time, your nerves will naturally deplete, as you gain confidence. The audience isn't going to hurt you; you've got something to give and they paid good money to see it. Of course, it is always overwhelming to be vulnerable in front of people, but this is a strength more than a weakness and overtime the satisfaction and the joy will greatly outweigh the fear. And most plays should as often as not allow you to admit to your own state of being to such an extent that your behavior can become the characters behavior. There are a myriad of different ways to calm nerves (remembering to breathe as others have said), but once you've gotten on stage, if you're still nervous, then your character is nervous, and you can admit to that, own that, and see where it takes you. And then the next night, you may be quite calm, and so your character will be calm. What makes your work valuable and interesting is who you are and how deeply and openly you can share your heart and soul within the circumstances of the story, so whatever you have to offer in a given moment, even if it's nervousness, has value.

Yes. Of course. It's human, natural, & important. There are many stories of famous legends who had terrible & nearly paralyzing nervousness or "stagefright" - sweating, diarhea, vomiting - but went on to enormous success. Nerves can be your ally & a powerful source of energy! I breathe. I focus on releasing tension in my muscles & in every part of my body. This can be done by many different techniques from aerobic activity to yoga to martial arts to simple breathing exercises. Mostly, I focus on the work & the task I need to accomplish w.my fellow performers.

Experience also helps. You won't get used to the feeling of getting nervous, but you will get nervous less often.