Is it okay to be an actor if you get nervous ?

Everybody gets nervous. I did a comedy skit at Nick's Comedy Stop and boy was I nervous. But you get use to it after doing it multiple times. Moreover, when you get up on stage, the audience just looks like a blur of colors.

In High School, I was also an Athlete. Basketball & Football were my sports. In each, I was at times, Amazing...in practice. I'd move up in the lineup & then Gametime would come & my Nerves would get the better of me. I'd Malfunction. I'd get benched & fall back down the lineup & return to the bench. It was around this time I knew Acting was meant for me - & she for me - because Onstage I was not nearly as distracted by Nerves. I would get nervous before the show - esp as I would walk toward the stage, or camera - but unlike in Sports, I would instead rise to accomplish the task, which would give me renewed energy! I would not Malfunction...I would Function Fully! There was no longer room for Fear but there was only Space & Time to Be the Character...& Tell the Story.

For one thing, I've known actors who were nervous pretty much every time, and they were very good. But for a personal point of view, I never, ever, ever wanted to do anything like acting. But a couple friends of mine and I decided to get into Second City training. Terrifying. Nervous every time. Positive comments from others and the instructors and directors and professionals were all really, really appreciated. But the terror and nervousness was always there. In fact, there was one single time when I remember not being nervous. And I was told that in that night's show, I was "chewing up the scenery", which, of course, got me being terrified again for the next show.

However, I've noticed that the more times I went, the nervousness became excited energy. And I got better. And it made every social interaction easier as the years went on. So is it "okay"? I'd say it's a good sign that it's good for you.

I have to agree with AkshatPradhan. If you're not nervous before you go on stage, you should check and see if you have a pulse. Everybody gets nervous. As you gain experience acting you will begin to learn how to use this nervous energy, to channel it, and to make it work for you instead of against you. In your acting classes and in rehearsal you will learn exercises that teach you how to relax, how to clear your mind and how to focus on the job at hand. You will learn how to use your nervous energy acting on the stage instead of letting it overpower you while you wait in the wings. You must also learn to trust yourself. Through the rehearsal process you have learned what needs to be done and how to do it. You are prepared. You have the support of your fellow actors on stage. One of the greatest things about live theater, is that you have the support of the people in the audience. Work hard at your craft. Learn to focus and, most basic of all, learn how to breathe.