Picture this: You are a 5-year-old ballerina with a huge mouse costume on waiting to go out on stage for the debut of "The Nutcracker." Everyone is excited; your mom, dad, siblings and neighbors are all out there. Suddenly you are gracefully running out onto the stage to terrorize Clara, the little girl. As you are tip-toeing around Count Drosselmeyer, you trip and fall in front of everyone. Since the entire production was hinged on your perfect performance, all is lost. You will never be prima ballerina.
This could have been the beginning of a long struggle with stage fright. Stage fright can be a weak excuse for getting out of karaoke or a presentation in class, but there are deep feelings that some get just from the thought of being on stage.
First, I think it is important to define what I mean by stage. It doesn't necessarily mean that a person who claims to have stage fright will avoid theatre class. It could be a any forum in which your voice or personality is heard by any number of people.
I have always thought that I have a mild case of stage fright. I am an outgoing person in situations where I'm comfortable and around friends, but it would be a cold day in hell before I get up on a theatre stage.
I can't be in the same room with anyone who reads my papers. I hate to see the face of anyone reading what I write. I hate to speak in front of classes or to hear my voice on any recording.
When a professor decides to make me get in front of the class, this is what happens:

• My pale skin suddenly turns crimson, even before a single word exits my lips.
• My palms sweat.
• When I finally stammer into my speech I have to clear my throat a few times.
• I never look up.
• Since I know I sound like a 5-year-old girl, I speak softly, which probably makes me sound even younger.
• My mind is swirling with every possible criticism that could exist.
• When I finish I walk back with my head hung low and the knowledge that I probably failed that assignment.

I have met a few special people that adore the thought of people watching them. With the phenomena of reality TV it seems like EVERYONE wants to be watched. I don't. I know plenty of folks who loath the thought as much or more than me.
Fears and phobias have been studied and stage fright is definitely in there. It can be categorized as a social phobia, which means that you are afraid of being negatively evaluated by your peers. I think almost everyone can relate to this, unless you are just blessed with a particularly high self-esteem.
This fear is typically thought to be founded during childhood or early adolescence. I think, for me, it may have began in December 1990 at debut of "The Nutcracker."