Episode 40: Performance Anxiety (and sopranos on their heads)

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Image via WikipediaImage via Wikipedia Do you get nervous when you perform? Well, you’re not alone. Listen to a few experienced actors talk about performing and then I’ll share some thoughts about what psychologists have to say about those judges in your head who keep you from doing your best. I’ll also share my experiences as a performer as well. Then we end with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt. What does she have to do with performance anxiety? You’ll have to listen to find out.

Resources for this Episode

Here’s the movie I referred to in this episode. It makes a lot of interesting observations on performance anxiety and it’s a great family film: The Greatest Game Ever Played
Here’s the wonderful book I mentioned in the podcast that I highly recommend: A Soprano on Her Head: Right-Side-Up Reflections on Life and Other Performances
This great book on performance anxiety was written by a psychologist: The Confident Performer
The classic book on the mental side of sports performance: The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance
For a more thorough review of Albert Ellis and Martin Seligman’s ideas, check out my previous episode on the negative side of positive thinking.
Seligman’s book goes into good detail on his theory of explanatory style: Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life
Albert Ellis’ ideas on dealing with irrational thinking are explained in his book: A Guide to Rational Living

Thanks to the actors interviewed in this episode:

Colleen Raney talked about taking risks onstage.
Scott Laska talked about how you can’t intellectualize during a performance.
Yvonne Campbell discussed how she kept focused on her performance during a scene from West Side Story.