Natural tendency to rush during performance

[bugboy]

I always find that with some people I perform for that I will tend to rush the performance.
This happens because of nervousness..without even realizing it my hands just move so much quicker
and rush the effect.

What are some ways to prevent this?

-A.L

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

Pay attention to the speed of your hands and slow them down.

 

[Justin.Morris]

Hey, that's a very common challenge.

Here are some tips I have been taught in my theater degree :

Have a good script and be confident with it.

Mark where the beats are in the script (natural breaks in ideas)
Use the spots to pause and observe audience so you can react appropriately

On your script, underline the lines that you want to speak quickly and which ones you want to speak slowly. Also mark volume increases/decreases.

Breathe

Practice practice practice