Many of the points you list are reasons why I haven't performed in front of an audience (or a judge/play director) since college. I have terrible stage fright, but like the idea of performing. However, I also know I'm not as good as others in this respect. I have the 'theory' down (after all, a BFA in Theatre Arts is good for things like that) - but I don't have the talent.
So I don't perform, although I was thinking about it for this Pentathlon. I have an advantage over some, I think - I *LIKE* doing the research and writing a mini-paper documenting things. So choosing something period and documenting it, the time period, the garb, etc. - that's the easy part for me. I can also memorize things without too much trouble. But standing in front of an audience and performing? Not so good. And I applaud everyone who DOES stand up and perform, knowing how difficult it can be, for some.
Do what you're comfortable doing - be it performing, competing, listening, or covering your ears (although removing yourself from the offending noise is more polite). It's all a hobby, and life's too short to get upset over things that should make you happy.
Heh - and who knows? Maybe by the next Pentathlon (or other arts event in my vicinity) - I'll have worked up the courage to perform that monologue from Elizabeth I, in full Elizabethan/Tudor garb. Heh - I have the research done, already :)
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timeasmymeasure
Performance Anxiety and competition
Date: 2007-03-31 05:16 am (UTC)So I don't perform, although I was thinking about it for this Pentathlon. I have an advantage over some, I think - I *LIKE* doing the research and writing a mini-paper documenting things. So choosing something period and documenting it, the time period, the garb, etc. - that's the easy part for me. I can also memorize things without too much trouble. But standing in front of an audience and performing? Not so good. And I applaud everyone who DOES stand up and perform, knowing how difficult it can be, for some.
Do what you're comfortable doing - be it performing, competing, listening, or covering your ears (although removing yourself from the offending noise is more polite). It's all a hobby, and life's too short to get upset over things that should make you happy.
Heh - and who knows? Maybe by the next Pentathlon (or other arts event in my vicinity) - I'll have worked up the courage to perform that monologue from Elizabeth I, in full Elizabethan/Tudor garb. Heh - I have the research done, already :)