PrefaceWhen we began working on this book, we reasoned that most people
suffering from stage fright would not buy it simply because of its title and
the insights it offers. We aren’t household names (yet). So, we decided to ask
celebrities about their struggles with stage fright—what works for them and
what doesn’t. This approach succeeded beyond our hopes. Readers will be
touched by the intimate struggles and triumphs of the stars they love and, as
a wonderful bonus, will see validation of our recommendations on dealing
with stage fright.
You’ll find the essence of our approach to this very common problem
detailed in the first chapter. It presents proven anti-anxiety strategies from
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), developed by pioneering psychologist
Albert Ellis. (As a bonus, Dr. Ellis passionately spells out his concepts
and strategies in our interview with him.) These strategies will allow
you—through persistence and hard work—to greatly diminish or perhaps
entirely overcome your stage fright.
Contrary to common sense, an illustrious career, celebrity status, great
wealth, or other success as a performer will not cure your stage fright.
Phyllis Diller told us: “I know of entertainers, in long, long careers, who
never got over it, to the point of throwing up before every performance. . . .
And they were big, big stars.” (p. 96–97)
Entertainers of all stripes overcome stage fright by changing how they
think: a change in thinking causes a change in feeling and behavior. As
Robin Williams incisively notes: “Obviously, thinking is what creates the
anxiety. And also, thinking diminishes it.” (p. 246)
Even though many of those interviewed here appear to not fully appreciate
this fact, they all, commendably, have devised their own strategies for
dealing with stage fright. Some of these parallel one of our recommendations—
using rational self-statements to put stage fright into perspective. We
heard, over and over, the interviewees say that a bad performance is “not the
end of the world.” Many of the interviewees reveal other personal strategies
that may prove useful to readers.
We recommend that after reading the first chapter you study the interview
with Dr. Ellis. He’s the master. Then, enjoy whichever interviews particularly
interest you. But please don’t neglect the rest. All of the interviewees
have helpful insights, and you’ll likely mine a few gems from the
interviews with performers you’ve never heard of.
We believe that this book provides you the best means available to beat
stage fright. Consistently apply the strategies described in Chapter 1, and in
the engrossing interviews, and you’ll be well on your way to overcoming
America’s #1 fear.
—Mick Berry, MFA
—Michael R. Edelstein, PhD | 