How to Prepare For a Stage Performance

Co-authored by Lesly Kahn, MFA

Last Updated: June 22, 2025 Approved

In these steps you will learn a few ways to prepare you for the stage. With this information you will be ready for anything with singing, dancing, and dialogue.

Steps

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1
Learn your lines. Practice makes perfect, so think of learning your lines as studying for a test that if you fail everyone knows and you can not take it again. Use a highlighter to make your lines jump off the page. When studying, say the words out loud. Have a friend run your lines with you when you're not in rehearsal.^{[1]
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- Try to visualize your lines so they're easier to remember.^{[2]
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  Lesly Kahn, MFA
  Acting Teacher & Coach
  
  Expert Interview}
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Learn your song. Singing memorization is just as important as dialogue. Lyrics can be tricky. Study and go over them as much as possible. Sing in the mirror so you can see what you look like while singing, this helps correct any mistakes you may or may not have made.^{[3]
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- Learn your notes and harmonies as well. Even if you know your lyrics, it won't sound as good unless you get the notes right.
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You must have the patience and time to work at it everyday. Take your time and learn the steps the right way first so you do not have to go back and slow everyone else down.
Do you want to charm them, offend them, destroy them, etc.? This is called an objective and may change as you go through the rehearsal process and discover new things about the piece.^{[4]
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In other words, I "kind of" love the other person is a weak choice. I'm crazy about the other person is a strong choice. Ambiguity does not work on stage. Remember to exaggerate all character choices so that the story and your character come across clearly.
This means learning where you are and where you have to go during a scene. In any play you've got to know what's going on around you so you can hear your cue to give a line or move in the scene.
Acting is work, but you can let loose, and have fun.^{[5]
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Besides, being too relaxed and over-confident can hurt your performance.^{[6]
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When I sing, I often experience shortness of breath due to nerves. What strategies can help me prevent this?

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To combat breathlessness from nerves, begin by consciously relaxing your body and adopting a comfortable, loose posture. Next, focus on diaphragmatic breathing: inhale slowly through your nose and exhale smoothly through your mouth. Additionally, develop an awareness of how your voice resonates throughout your body, distinguishing between your head and chest voices. Finally, during your performance, select a neutral focal point in the room instead of focusing on individual audience members.

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What should I do before opening night?

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Get everything ready and prepare yourself for an amazing night. Go to bed early and sleep well if possible and just try to stay calm.

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What do I do if I forget my lines on stage?

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If you generally recall the line's intent, find a way to paraphrase or weave in the basic idea. If a fellow cast member's line is due soon after yours, prompt them to say it to keep the scene moving. Prolonged silence will alert the audience to a missed line, so act quickly to resume the performance and maintain the illusion.

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Speak loud and clear so that the people in the last row of the theatre can hear you.^{[7]
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If your stage partner messes up, do not react. This will make yourself and your stage partner panicked - so just continue the show.

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If you mess up, just keep going or say something similar to it. After all, the audience doesn't know what your lines are supposed to be and if you do mess up and they hear you clearly, just laugh it off and say the correct one! Improve.

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Warnings

If you drink a lot of fluids, be sure you have access to a restroom before you go onstage (this is especially important if you are very nervous). We don't want any "accidents" onstage...

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Never underestimate others and do not be over-confident.

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Don't think negatively.

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Don't let yourself be directed by other actors. That's the director's job.

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