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Epithany New user 3 Posts |
I gave my first performance!
I was in a class with a group of people I'd never met before (and probably never will again) and the subject of magic came up. I mentioned that it's one of my hobbies, and the next thing I know I'm standing up in front of a dozen people with a deck of cards in my hands. (Still not sure how they managed that one) I was so nervous (terrified) standing there, that I was physically shaking. I suffer REALLY badly from nerves. I practise on my own, in my room, and I don't show anyone (always seem to chicken out at the last minute). I almost backed out again but, this time, I DIDN'T! I did a short routine and got a great reaction. They kept coming up to me afterwards; telling me how much they enjoyed it, and that they thought I was really good. The thing that surprised me most was that, even though I was physically shaking from the nerves, they told me that I came across as very confident while I was performing. I think I'm still on the adrenaline rush from it. The feeling afterwards was SO worth the nerves before (and during). I'm determined to keep going as well. I know I'll still be just as nervous next time but, if I've gotten through it once, I can do it again. *Epi <--is almost looking forward to finding an opportunity to perform again* :cool: |
Dr. Delusion Special user Eugene, Oregon. 733 Posts |
That's really great to hear. I'm glad everything went well for you. Keep up the good work. I've been performing part time for about 20 years and on occasion I still get nervouse before a show. When I was in High School I was very shy and that was one of the reasons I got into magic - to help me get over being so shy.
Take care and thanks for sharing you story. Bob. |
The Amazing Noobini Inner circle Oslo, Norway 1658 Posts |
Yeah!! You broke the great barrier and came out of it with an enjoyable experience! Perhaps I will do the same some day. For now I have given up on the idea of performing magic in the foreseeable future at least. But your story is inspiring!
Congratulations! BTW, I was told too by one of my peers after a webcam session, that I didn't appear especially nervous. I was as surprised as you were since I felt like a stuttering, madly babbling, wildly shaking fool at the time. So perhaps it is true what they say that most of our stage fright problems are really just in our minds and that it actually doesn't look so bad at all from the spectator's point of view.
"Talk about melodrama... and being born in the wrong part of the world." (Raf Robert)
"You, my friend, have a lot to learn." (S. Youell) "Nonsensical Raving of a lunatic mind..." (Larry) |
Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
Much of the feeling of shaking because of the adrenaline in your system during the performance is more something that you perceive because of the degree of discomfort. Most of the time what the audience experiences is totally different.
It can be of help to realize that the 'fear' that you experience is not so much actual 'fear', but just simply the adrenaline in your system that is attempting to get you ready for action. Try to reframe what your feel as 'readiness' instead of fear. To go along with this try to have your first trick one that you could do successfully no matter what the situation! As you find yourself succeeding during those first moments of readiness you will then experience the remaining adrenaline in your system not so much as fear, but as something positive. The same chemicals that cause one to experience fear, anxiety, etc. are the same ones that cause you to experience joy, happiness, etc. Isn't that odd? It's true. Past experience causes us to place a label upon the experience/presence of the chemical that tells us what to 'feel'. Replace a negative label with a positive one and the experience of performing becomes self replicating in a much more enjoyable manner. Best,
Brad Burt
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Yekrats Loyal user Dayton, Indiana 209 Posts |
I think we (people in general) tend to self-judge and self-criticize our own performance. We are our own worst critics!
At a magic club meeting recently, someone gave a perfect performance of an effect and in the middle said "Oh, I messed that up, but I'll keep on going..." I didn't see a thing (and I'm usually looking for it). But the fact that they *knew* they messed something up (flashed or whatever) caused them to become self-conscious. The moral I took away from the performance: The second you tell people that you messed up, you messed up. Perhaps it can be a confidence-builder for you -- even if you do mess up, it's not likely that they will know what to look for. Especially if you are misdirecting, then you get much more leeway. It sounds like you did just great, and I hope you will continue to push the envelop like this! It's a rush!
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Corporate or event magic & mentalism: http://WizardoftheWabash.com |
Yellowcustard Inner circle New Zealand 1334 Posts |
Top work there you practice something you performed it. What is even better than all of that you entertain people as they went about their normal day. That is something I am really into at the moment. I think what ever trick you did you should do as much as you can. Also get a trick ready to follow it. Nothing to flash and something just like the cards you pick it out of the bag that's quite regular and do a trick. Have lots of fun and enjoy your magic and let others enjoy it as well.
Enjoy your magic,
and let others enjoy it as well! |
JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
The most important thing, Epithany, is that your first unforgetable experience is your most enjoyable experience. Keep it up. And congratulations too!
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Pedro Haluch New user I definetely should have more than 62 Posts |
Congratulations Epithany!
The first presentation is something you will remember for a long, long time. About nerves, don't worry; you will overcome that with time. As I said in another thread somewhere, when the guy asked when would the moment he wouldn't feel nervous before performing, this time will never come. What will happen is that you will be able to control that, and maybe even use it in your advantage. Once again, congratulations, and keep going! Magic is a wonderful world, and you just got your ticket in! |
olaf911 Regular user Germany 104 Posts |
Congratulations from my side too, Epithany!
Must be hard to do the first performance completely unprepared with only a borrowed deck of cards. If you managed this fine from now of it will become easier and easier. Enjoy! Btw., would you care to tell me which tricks/routines you did in this impromtu situation? |
jake.o Regular user 111 Posts |
Weel done, if you remember the feeling that you got after the magic from the adrenaline rush then it will hopfully drive you on to perform more.
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