At this time of year, we always explore the eerie side of Shakespeare’s world — from Hamlet meeting his father’s ghost to Macbeth encountering the Three Witches; from haunted theatres to the art of trick-or-treating. But now, we want to examine what is for many children the scariest thing of all: Stage Fright!
Certainly we have set out strategies for supporting reluctant thespians: see, for instance, our posts about how to inspire students and create a caring community within your troupe. Yet for some children, the idea of going out on stage and speaking in front of an audience is just too terrifying to even consider. As a teacher and / or parent, it can be difficult to know how to help.
This Halloween, we invite you to gather your students together and address their fears directly. Find out what it is, exactly, that is so intimidating. Is it the dread of making a mistake or forgetting a line? Remind the child that you, in the role of the narrator, will be there with a helpful prompt. Or maybe it is a feeling of self-consciousness; a sense that the student has to be themselves on-stage rather than play a part. In this case, emphasize that an essential part of rehearsals is becoming comfortable with a given role. The more committed a young actor is to their part — the harder they work to understand and know their character — the easier it will be to become that character in performance.
Of course, we know that it takes time to overcome any fear! When in doubt, offer the reassurance that there is a part for everyone in Theatre, on the stage or behind the scenes.
And also take the opportunity to talk with the students about the idea of performance more broadly, and about the many parts we play every day in our daily lives. After all, in Shakespeare’s unforgettable words: “All the world’s a stage.”
©2023