Stage fright doesn’t care if you’re a baseball superstar, a musician, or an actor—it can strike anyone stepping into the spotlight.
Recently, baseball icon Shohei Ohtani reminded us of this truth in a big way. Despite his status as one of the most accomplished players in MLB history, he openly admitted to feeling nervous before stepping onto the field at Tokyo Dome.
If an athlete at the top of his game can experience performance anxiety, what does that mean for performers—musicians, actors, dancers, or anyone else putting their craft on display?
Ohtani’s experience provides a valuable lesson for all artists: Stage fright isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s proof that what you’re about to do matters. The key isn’t eliminating it—it’s learning how to work with it.
Why Even the Best Performers Feel Stage Fright
Let’s dive into Ohtani’s experience and what it teaches performers of all kinds about handling nerves and excelling under pressure.
The Weight of Performing for Your Home Audience
Ohtani’s nerves weren’t just about playing a game; they were about performing in front of his home country’s audience—an entirely different kind of pressure.
“I was actually pretty nervous,” he admitted after the game.
His manager, Dave Roberts, noticed it, too:
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Shohei nervous… but I noticed how emotional he got during the Japanese national anthem. That was very telling.”
If you’ve ever performed in front of friends, family, or a hometown audience, you know exactly what this feels like. The stakes feel higher. It’s not just about impressing strangers—it’s about living up to expectations from people who know and support you.
For musicians, actors, and dancers, hometown shows often feel more nerve-wracking than performing for a room full of strangers. The people closest to you know your potential, and that can make every note, step, or line feel like it carries more weight.
The Unnerving Power of Silence
One of the most striking things about Ohtani’s experience was the complete silence of the Tokyo Dome crowd.
42,000 fans held their breath every time he stepped up to bat. No cheering, no distractions—just pure, focused attention.
This kind of silence can be just as intimidating as thunderous applause.
It’s something many foreign jazz musicians have experienced when performing at Tokyo’s Blue Note jazz club. Unlike Western audiences, who often cheer, chat, or create background noise, Japanese audiences listen in absolute silence, absorbing every note.
Some performers say it sharpens their focus and elevates their artistry, while others admit it makes them hyper-aware of every detail, adding another layer of pressure.
As a performer, you might have felt something similar during a solo moment in a concert, a quiet theater audience, or a dance competition where every movement is scrutinized. When there’s no noise to drown out your thoughts, the silence can feel overwhelming.
But here’s the shift: Silence isn’t your enemy—it’s proof that people are fully engaged.
Channel Stage Fright Like Ohtani
Accept That Nerves Are Normal
Ohtani didn’t let nerves stop him—he channeled them into a stellar performance, recording two hits and scoring twice.
This proves one thing: Feeling nervous doesn’t mean you’ll fail.
For musicians, actors, and dancers, pre-show jitters don’t mean you’re unprepared—they mean your brain and body are gearing up for something important. Instead of fearing them, expect them.
Try this: Instead of saying, “I hope I don’t get nervous,” tell yourself:
“I expect nerves, and I know I can handle them.”
Recognize that even top performers feel this way—yet they still succeed.
Shift the Focus Away from Yourself
Much of stage fright comes from self-awareness—the feeling that every movement, note, or word is being judged.
Ohtani felt this pressure, too. He admitted, “I do feel the fans expecting me to get some hits.”
For performers, this can feel like:
“I need to play this flawlessly, or people will think I’m not good enough.”
“What if I forget my lines?”
“Everyone is analyzing my every move.”
The solution? Shift your focus outward. Instead of worrying about how you’re being perceived, immerse yourself in your craft.
Try this: Musicians – Focus on the music, not the audience’s reaction. Feel every note rather than overthinking each one.
Actors – Dive into your character instead of worrying about how the audience sees you.
Dancers – Let the movement take over, rather than fixating on perfection.
Reframe Silence as Engagement
If the silence of an audience makes you uncomfortable, flip your perspective.
Instead of thinking:
“They’re waiting for me to mess up.”
Tell yourself: “They’re deeply engaged in what I’m doing. They care about this moment as much as I do.”
Whether it’s a jazz audience at Blue Note, a quiet theater before an actor’s first line, or a stadium watching Ohtani’s every swing, silence means they are with you.
Employ the Power of Mindfulness
One of the biggest challenges of stage fright is losing yourself in anxious thoughts—worrying about mistakes, audience reactions, or what could go wrong.
Mindfulness helps bring you back to the present moment, keeping you grounded in your performance rather than your fears.
Try this:
Sensory Grounding – Notice the feeling of your instrument, costume, or stage beneath your feet—anything that anchors you in the moment.
Listen to the Present – For musicians, tune into the sound of your instrument; for actors and dancers, focus on the rhythm of your movements.
Let Thoughts Pass – If an anxious thought comes, acknowledge it without judgment and gently bring your focus back to your performance.
By staying fully present, you shift away from fear and into flow, allowing yourself to perform at your best—just like Ohtani stepping up to bat under the weight of the crowd’s silent expectation.
Final Takeaway
Shohei Ohtani’s experience at Tokyo Dome proves that nerves don’t go away, even at the highest level.
Whether you’re a musician, actor, dancer, or performer of any kind, the key isn’t eliminating nerves—it’s learning how to manage them.
Like Ohtani, you don’t need to be fearless to perform well. You just need to step up and trust your preparation.
