The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #135855 Message #3099589
Posted By: Will Fly
21-Feb-11 - 05:09 AM
Thread Name: !! Stage Fright !!
Subject: RE: !! Stage Fright !!
Sudden stage fright is not uncommon - even in experienced performers. Actors like Olivier and Ian Holm found it impossible to perform on stage for some years until they managed to overcome it. You'll recall that Stephen Fry left a London production abruptly - and was the subject of some nastiness in the press until he revealed, much later, that he suffered from periodic bouts of depression.
These are professional performers, whose career was affected. You don't say whether you're an amateur of a professional. If the latter, then professional counselling/advice is absolutely important. If you're not a professional performer, then you're under no pressure to perform until you've managed to overcome, or at least cope with, being in the performing spotlight.
I think even an amateur psychologist - and I'm not even an amateur - would say that you should deal somehow with the "emotional setbacks". Which, of course, may not be at all easy. Even without the wish to perform, such things cast shadows over your life, and you need to try and dispel the shadows. I do hope you can.