From Stage Fright to Spotlight: How to Share Your Story with Confidence

Storytelling is an art—but sharing your story on stage can feel terrifying. The nerves, the eyes watching, the pressure to deliver—it’s enough to make anyone stumble. The good news? Confidence doesn’t come from winging it. It comes from preparation, focus, and mastering the beginning and ending of your story.

Start Strong: Nail Your Opening

I ran into Mike Mahony the other day. He works at Pixar Animation Studios, and I met him after his brother Dave took my storytelling workshop. The story he developed there won a Moth StorySlam, which granted him an invitation to tell a story at The Castro Theatre in San Francisco, a 1200 seat art deco palace. 

I’ll never forget watching with pride as Dave took the stage. I knew he was feeling nervous. Who wouldn’t? But what he did when he got to center stage took my breath away.

He turned his back to the audience.

He quietly, to himself, said aloud his opening and closing lines. 

Then he turned around, and told his story. And he was sensational. Relaxed. Poised. Funny. Self-Deprecating. All the things. All the feelings. 

And I have to think, part of that was because he started strong. And he started strong because he was prepared for that moment, to be in that moment. 

And there’s a big learning there. 

The opening of your story sets the tone. It signals who you are, what your story is about, and why people should care. Yet too often, stories start like this:

“So… um… okay… wow, I’m really nervous… So… this is a little complicated but… ok. I was twenty years old… yeah, 1990…”

Sound familiar? A shaky start can lose your audience’s attention before your story even begins. You lose confidence, credibility, and valuable time—especially in timed storytelling events. Instead, plan your first line. Make it clear, purposeful, and direct. This gives your story immediate momentum and helps calm your nerves.

For example:

• “I’m holding two buttons. In my right hand, the button controls the TV. On the left, it controls my morphine drip.”

• “The box was waiting on my doorstep when I came home.”

  
  

Notice how these lines grab attention immediately? They set the scene, spark curiosity, and establish your voice. They also give you a mental anchor—you know exactly where to start, which helps reduce stage fright.

Avoid long, complicated backstories. Storytelling calisthenics—rambling about unimportant details—slows the story down and signals unpreparedness. Introduce context only as needed, when it serves the story.

Stick the Landing: Close with Confidence

A strong ending is just as important as a strong opening. Even if the middle of your story falters, a memorable ending leaves your audience satisfied and impressed.

Effective endings often:

• Echo your opening: Repeating a line or phrase creates a sense of full-circle storytelling.

• Highlight the emotional payoff: Surprise, humor, revelation, or reflection.

• Tie together the story’s themes: Give the audience a message or takeaway.

  
  

For example, my student Randy Beard started his story:

“I have two childhood memories of my mother…”

A perfect ending could mirror this phrasing:

“I have two childhood memories of my mother. First, I’m about three years old, playing with her typewriter, and I get in trouble. The second is when my mother saved my life.”

Boom—a full-circle, emotionally resonant ending that ties everything together.

The Secret: Rehearse Your First and Last Lines

One simple trick for building confidence on stage: rehearse just your opening and closing lines. Repeat them aloud before taking the stage (just like Dave did!)

• This grounds you.

• It reduces anxiety.

• It ensures you start and finish strong.

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Once the hardest parts are secure, the story itself flows naturally. You don’t have to memorize every word—just know where you begin and where you end. Everything in between will follow.

Take Your Moment

Even the most prepared storyteller benefits from a moment to center themselves. Dave Mahony turned his back to the audience for ten seconds before starting. He repeated his first and last lines out loud—and then delivered his story flawlessly. That brief pause gave him confidence and control.

You can do the same. The stage is yours. Take your time. Begin with purpose, end with clarity, and your audience will lean in.

Final Takeaway

Confidence in storytelling isn’t about perfection—it’s about intentionality.

• Open with clarity. Grab attention.

• Close with impact. Leave a lasting impression.

• Practice your bookends. Trust yourself for everything in between.

  
  

With this approach, stage fright becomes stage presence, and your story shines in the spotlight.

Ready to take your storytelling to the next level? Visit the Storytelling Confidence Lab to build your skills, strengthen your presence, and tell your story with absolute confidence.

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