How are ya? How was your weekend? Mine was jam-packed! And I can tell you that I spent at least 2 hours in traffic. I don't understand why there should be a huge traffic jam on a Saturday afternoon or night in Lekki - especially Oando/Jakande roundabouts. It's so infuriating that I'm thisclose to staying home every weekend from now on - unless Cakes is driving.
On Friday afternoon, our dance/drama ministry leader asked if I could help out with a very short skit at church for yesterday's service. I was available, and agreed. It was a short skit with 2 others from the team. We had a cafe setting, and I was the waitress - the purpose of the skit was to let the church know about the Cafe Rouge Ministry in my church. You can read about them here.
BUT about 45 minutes before we had to get on stage, I started feeling the familiar churning in my stomach, my heart beat began to pick up pace, and I knew that I didn't want to participate in the skit anymore. I tried to rehearse my lines, and I kept making mistakes. I was having a mini panic attack. When I mentioned it to our leader and the other actors, 2 of them laughed at me, thinking I was joking. They said that I'm such a good actress and there's no way I can have stage fright. I explained that whenever I have to get on stage, I feel literally sick to my stomach and freak out inwardly... as soon as I step on stage, it's a completely different story... and then when I get off, I'm thanking God it's over.
Yesterday, I prayed, "God, this skit is for you. You have a message you want to get out. I am forgetting my lines. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE speak for me, because I'm afraid I'll mess everything up." You would think the prayer would calm me down, but I was still panicking backstage. And then, I got on stage and it was an out-of-body experience. It's like I was watching myself. The lines came out so smoothly. I wasn't trying to remember lines - they just came out of my mouth. I remember thinking "Wow, God is the one talking o," while I was on stage. After the skit was done, I was so relieved and went back to my seat. When the service was over, different people came up to congratulate me on a job well done. Little did they know how nervous I was beforehand.
Unfortunately, I don't have a video of the skit yet, but you can watch this scene from a play we did last year, where I played King Herod's wife. Believe me, I wanted to throw up before going on stage.
Even though I get stage fright, I have to say that I do enjoy acting a lot :)
Have a nice week.
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Wow, luv the video. Mehn dis is my Phobia (Anytin dat has to fo with a Crowd) but changing o. Also, u have a lovely voice.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I dunno if it's a lack of self confidence, but it's annoying.
DeleteLack of Self Confidence contributes and i took up a teaching job for a short period plus read a lot of motivational materials which were of help.
DeleteOh Berry, stage fright is not a joke. I get that same feeling before any presentation. But then it ends up going well and I wonder what all the fuss was about..
ReplyDeleteDon't get me started on presentations! It IS funny though... the calm afterwards. Like "why was I so nervous/anxious?"
DeleteAlso, fab performance! I was not expecting the singing!
ReplyDeleteOMG my darling Berry, what a fantastic performance. You didn't even look like you had any stage fright. Honestly, you are way better that a good percentage of the our nollywood 'stars'. Well done babe.
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Wow I luv you acting spirit. Watching this short video I still don't believe u do get stage fright. Your good babes.
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you. Believe me though. The stage fright is real!
DeleteJust wow. You were amazing!! You were giving me shades of Joke Silva.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Ha, Joke Silva ke. If only
Deletelol seriously, I agree with Lady ID. I had goosebumps all through watching you. you have a gift from God, I think you should look into it. X Ps I didnt see any signs of stage fright o.
DeleteBerry I can't wait for your Nollywood debut! You were brilliant, nice singing as well. No 1 fan!
ReplyDeleteThanks lady! I had it on my 2013 Goals list, but fear and inability to go to auditions (work schedule) have made me dump the idea. :(
DeleteNo..hopefully 2014 will be the year. Your social media fans can start a campaign to have you noticed, fear is not an option dear you've got the talent! x
DeleteBeerrrry! Don't dump the idea love, revisit it again, God will give your strength! The acting was brill! Good stage presence and you say you have stage fear? Eh don't think so and yes I could see a Joke Silva shade just like Lady ID. Welldone chic!
ReplyDeleteumm cough cough! hello! testing testing! This is a pubic announcement berry dakara just killed and slaughtered the stage! haha pursue acting with intent...i repeat with intent!
ReplyDeletewow I wasn't expecting that. You were really good though plus the singing again.
ReplyDeleteStage fright or no, that was good acting!
ReplyDeleteYou are a star. I'm glad I can say I know a celeb, lol. I know the guy wear black suit among the three wise men. Tayo. He's a fantastic singer. I dint know you could sing too.
ReplyDeleteBeerrrry, you stage fear? No way! That was great acting :) we should definitely put back acting in 2014 goals o. Yes I agree with Lady ID, can see a Joke Silva shade there!
ReplyDeleteWelldone chic
Dear Berry, well done! And thats coming from someone who's done stage for about 15 years. I still get the stage fright sometimes just before I get on and the voice shake in the first minute but it all ends in an applause and ovation. Its all quite normal. Lol!
ReplyDeleteGo Berry! Take it to the big screen!!! You did very well though
ReplyDelete