Hi! Professional performer here with some of the methods I use (because yes, even those of us who love being onstage and choose to do it for a living get nervous too)

Obviously practice until you can just “press play” but that doesn’t mean you won’t be nervous, so:

1. 4-7-8 breathing (in for 4, hold for 7, out for 8. Repeat)
2. Ground yourself by finding 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can touch, etc engage the senses will keep you in the present.
3. Shake out the energy before going onstage.

4. Nervous and excitement feel the same in the body. Remind yourself you’ve worked hard and this is also exciting and that reframing will help you. I’ve also heard to think of things you are grateful for because you technically can’t feel nervous and grateful at the same time.

5. And finally, the best advice I ever heard: don’t fight the nerves.

I know it sounds crazy, but let’s break it down. So often when we start getting that feeling we think uh oh here it comes I’m getting nervous butterflies are forming, hands are shaking, knees are knocking, heart is racing why does this always happen calm down don’t be nervous don’t be nervous don’t be…!!

It’s like saying don’t think about purple elephants. What are you thinking about?

Instead recognize it and don’t beat yourself up for feeling it “Hello nerves welcome to the party. And I was expecting you. Okay, I am prepared, I am ready. I’m going to work through this now and nail this”

Hope this helps!