As an audition/performance coach, I always get asked how to deal with nerves before an audition or performance. We've all heard the old, "Just picture the audience in their underwear," which I find completely not helpful.
But, when you break down the saying, it's really just advising you to find humor to relax yourself. Being open and relaxed is an actor's most important job, so to get there, you've got to find humor while you are waiting for an audition or to go on for a performance.
Find someone to talk to. Bring up an awkward audition story, or comment on the the girl you just heard in the bathroom doing baby seal mating calls to warm up her voice.
Better yet, find a friend who owes you a favor and bring them along to the audition. I find bringing a sassy gay friend usually does the trick and gets me to laugh about my surroundings, which is proven to help with relaxation.
I always believe in taking the audition seriously, and being as prepared as possible. But once the prep work has been done, you can't take yourself too seriously, especially in the entertainment industry. Allow yourself to laugh, breathe, and open up.
Picturing people in their underwear? That just ain't right!
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