Handling Nerves at Auditions

I just had my last comment be dumped by my PC, so here goes again... Food- everyone has foods that work or not with their body. Get to know yours away from audition times (make notes). for the voice- bring along a thermos of warm to hot herbal tea (peppermint or ginger works great for me) this will keep the voice warm and lubricated- both important. don't use coffee (caffeine will not help!) and don't make it too hot. you want to drink, not sip tentatively avoid dairy or chocolate (unless it passes the above test for you!) avoid any lollies or sugary foods in the few hours before. On top of sugar highs and lows, I think it can help cause thightness and flem in the throat. eat banana or apple or nuts or similar. i hear also that bananas apparently can calm nerves. Most important thing with food is- DO EAT. Have a good breakfast, and maintain good eating throughout the day. Having good even energy stores without the use of stimulants will go a long way to helping your audition. I personally recommend only wholegrains (i.e. not white bread or pastry). This includes white rice. Being either hungry or over-stuffed will wreck your audition, so get to know your body ASAP. (best of all, this will all help when you get the part and have to actually do the performances!) Try to avoid 'normal' talking throughout the day as much as possible. talking without proper breath support can root your vocal folds for the day. and do some kind of workout on audition day- a walk, swim or the gym- whatever lights your dial. and I'll reiterate the most important point from my previous entry- get detached from the result. Being significant about anything, especially auditions, won't help you chill or perform to the max. Use that energy instead to drive your performance. Finally- a question for you (and everyone) Sare- Do you have fun or 'get present' to how much you enjoy doing what you're doing during an audition? enough! Nev It's the simple things stupid...