Stage Fright
From Chicken Soup for the Soul: Just Say Yes
By Karen Haueisen

Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action.
~Walter Anderson

I had driven at least three laps around the little farmers’ lodge on the corner. After each lap, I pulled into the old, cracked parking lot and willed myself to go in. Each time, just as I was ready to pull the key from the ignition, I lost my nerve and drove around again. Finally, I said it out loud. “Karen Marie, if you don’t get out of this car right now, I will never forgive you. This is your chance to do it over again. The worst they can say is no.”

That did the trick. Inside the creaky, old 1950s building, down in a basement where I’d never set foot, auditions were going on for a community-theater production. Until the week before, I hadn’t even known we had a community theater. The local newspaper ad gave no specifics, just the name of the production: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Condominium Association, Inc. From my terrible fear of making a fool of myself in front of strangers came the idea that this must be a well-known play in elite theatre circles. I had no idea whether I was supposed to know it, have memorized a scene, or be able to take on a character role for my audition. I was charging in headfirst, completely blind, and nearly paralyzed with anxiety. (Keep reading)