Write a story about a person experiencing pre-performance jitters.

Posted in High School on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 162 stories

“Jitters” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #50

There is a nightmare I have even though it has been nearly twenty years since I graced the stage, but it's always the same. I am waiting for the curtain to rise and the director announces, "Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are changing tonight's opening night from Hamlet to King Lear." The cast does not seem to be bothered by this last minute change except me, because I do not know my first line in the play and with the curtain seconds from rising, I pull out a script and start to cram. As the lights come up and I see the gh...

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“The Performance.” by Marsha Webb

Submitted to Contest #50

Backstage Gillian tried to calm her shaking hands enough to put on her make up. She took some deep breaths. None of the others seemed as nervous as her, what was the matter with her? Gillian studied her reflection in the mirror; she looked terrified, almost tearful. Who was she trying to fool? She could not do this. She slipped off to the toilets unnoticed. The others were busily putting on their makeup and chattering happily. The atmosphere was bright and bubbly, there was a certain amount of tension in the air yes, but everyone was handlin...

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“Click Submit” by Brandon Johnson

Submitted to Contest #50

I often wonder what was my purpose in life. I seem to be constantly surrounded by people with outstanding talents and achievements. When I compare myself to them I feel small and worthless, a waste of space. That was before I found the one thing that gave me a little bit of hope. The one thing I could hold onto that I felt made me stand out. It might not amount to much, but it amounted to me. What's my special thing? Well...It's writing. I recently discovered my joy in creating stories to share with others. I might not be the best or eve...

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“I aM GoIng 2 kiLL u JaniE.” by Lee Kull

Submitted to Contest #50

I aM GoIng 2 kiLL u JaniE.A shudder ran down her back and her hands trembled as she reread the smudged newsprint pasted to the otherwise blank sheet of paper. This was the third threat she’d had in as many days. First, it was a phone call. A muffled voice. An indirect threat. A wicked laugh. The day after that she had woken up to see a knife stabbed cleanly through her bedroom door. All the doors and windows were still locked and latched from the inside, with no sign of a break-in. Now the threat was more direct. And the paper she held chase...

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“Confidence” by Quill Porter

Submitted to Contest #50

The crowd's cheer was deafening. So was Zanaya's heartbeat. She really couldn't help it. Her curly chocolate hair was neatly placed as a bun on top of her head. Her purple dress was gripped by her trembling ebony hands. Her feet shaking inside her silver sandals. Her palms sweating more than it should. Was she nervous? Another cheer erupted from the other side of the large red curtain. A shiver ran up her spine. So, it seems like she's nervous. She hears the rush of footsteps of the make-up artists rushing towards their clien...

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“Hola, ¿qué tal?” by Kathleen March

Submitted to Contest #50

Oh Dios mío, no! I said to the walls of the bedroom. It was pitch black, but the curtains were fluttering. I immediately took that as a bad omen. The Pit and the Pendulum came to mind all of a sudden. What have I done? What have I done? The last four words would have been out-squeaked by the tiniest mouse. I was in so much trouble. I knew it would be impossible to survive what was waiting for me the next day. My heart was going to give out. This was suicide. The worst part was that I had done it to myself. There was nobody else to blame....

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“I Am So Sorry” by Janelle Curtis

Submitted to Contest #50

When she beat me this morning, I was prepared. I felt no pain. Well...not physically. I dressed myself in somber fashion, allowing the red leotard to slip onto my form easily. Ballet...oh, Mother, how you live through me. I am 12. Twelve. Yes, I compare the numbers and the letters. I like to play with puppies. Cats are fun, too. I once had two hermit crabs. 2. They weren't hard for you to kill. I watched you. You told me the next morning that hermit crabs don't live long. Usually, you see me. I guess I am getting better at hiding.&...

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“Noel” by Parvathy Sabapathy

Submitted to Contest #50

Down on my knees, I look at the serene face of Mother Mary cradling baby Jesus. I pray for strength, for courage, for success - - not the kind that will bring accolades crashing at my feet, but the kind that will fill people's heart with happiness and gratitude, the kind that will restore faith.The shivering that had engulfed my body some time ago gradually stops as I end my prayers with - - 'In the name of Jesus Christ - Amen'The purpose of my life and the reason for my existence will soon be put to test. I am experiencing my first pre-perf...

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“Whatever Works” by Harken Void

Submitted to Contest #50

The heat escalated between them and shirts flew off. Jenny lay back on the bed while Hugo leaned over her, their lips locked and tongues intertwined. The wet smooches of their passion mixed with the sound of their delightful sighs and the soft rustling of bedsheets. Then, the sound of a zipper cut in, loud and sharp. Hugo’s pants fell. Jenny looked him in the eyes with naughty playfulness, and he stared at her with a poker face. She frowned. “What?” “What if I can’t get it up?” he whispered. Jenny rolled her eyes. “Now’s not the time t...

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“A Moment filled with Trepidation” by Faleha Hakim

Submitted to Contest #50

My face lit by the bulb framed mirror which hung on the neatly painted wall. My virtual reflection faced me back as I stared at my eyes trying to encode my own thoughts. Then, lazily I moved the eyeballs at my bright collar, white and flawless. Pushing my neck a bit higher, I combed my hair again the fiftieth time. Still not satisfied. Once again I was back at staring my square face. It was best to drop the eyelids and blacken the sight, to stay silent and breathe, to flow serenity and relax. I thrashed my back against the chair on which I ...

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“The Labyrinth ” by James Ashton

Submitted to Contest #50

The paper felt heavy in Andrew’s hands as he sat backstage. The red velvet curtain sat in front of him, as he heard the silent shuffle of the crowd beyond it. His stomach turned over in constant circles as he smelled the aroma of old pine wood and new paint. Nancy, the old teacher who acted as the stage manager, gave the signal to notify him that he was going on next. He could feel chills run down his body, even though the theatre must have been ninety degrees. He could feel his throat close up and tighten. His legs bounced, and his...

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“DRAMA! EMOTE! EXERAGERATE!” by P. Jean

Submitted to Contest #50

(Write a story about a person experiencing pre-performance jitters.) I sit here thinking about all of the myriad things that could go wrong, so many personalities and the slight chance that all things will click, that it will go smoothly! I wonder why I volunteered to coach this group! A mistake or blown line or someone bursting into tears, or worse, like an avalanche where a few grains of frozen water or snow slips away from its base and slides downward, taking more and more with it until a mountain of snow has...

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“Mysterious Love.” by Len Mooring

Submitted to Contest #50

He gazed in a baffled way at a couple tenderly kissing and stroking each other and supposed that this is what is known as love. Even as a child, he had never felt an attraction for anyone to want to do this, not even to his mother. For his mother, he felt a need for protection at times, but not a fondling or a desire to cuddle. 'Possibly,' he thought, 'It was as well. If he was to contribute to the continual replenishment of the species, he suspected it would be a rather austere and calculated union. However, he could do it.' He knew he woul...

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“Dying to perform ” by Bee Kagz

Submitted to Contest #50

I take a Xanax then another. First with a gulp of water that makes an impression on my Adam’s apple then with liquor. I squint my eyes and contort my face as my throat burns with the fire of undiluted spirits then I curl up in the position of the unborn on the chaos on my linen. I can hear my thunder heart beat in my head. It’s too loud, I need it to stop. How do I quiet my brains? I start thinking of how I’ll fail, how they will not see me. How they will see my translucence, laugh at my wetness and feed on my fear. I can’t do it, It’s impos...

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“Stutter am I ?” by Fathimii Fathimii

Submitted to Contest #50

" Ammi, I am scared is it ok?" early morning four, six hours before the seminar I was ready for what I thought was inevitable for my fate. I don't clearly remember when but my public humiliation started a fear of people in my mind and a chat with a stranger felt like a nuke was upon me, though my parents were always there for me still the gap in my heart was huge and I was unable to overcome a sudden unforeseen change which turned my life. I was always quite popular in school from an early age, I was good at studies all extracurricular...

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Write a story about a person experiencing pre-performance jitters.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 162 stories

“Jitters” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

“The Performance.” by Marsha Webb

“Click Submit” by Brandon Johnson

“I aM GoIng 2 kiLL u JaniE.” by Lee Kull

“Confidence” by Quill Porter

“Hola, ¿qué tal?” by Kathleen March

“I Am So Sorry” by Janelle Curtis

“Noel” by Parvathy Sabapathy

“Whatever Works” by Harken Void

“A Moment filled with Trepidation” by Faleha Hakim

“The Labyrinth ” by James Ashton

“DRAMA! EMOTE! EXERAGERATE!” by P. Jean

“Mysterious Love.” by Len Mooring

“Dying to perform ” by Bee Kagz

“Stutter am I ?” by Fathimii Fathimii

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about a proposal.

Write a story about an argument that seems to be about one thing, but is actually about another.

Write a story told entirely through one chase scene.

Write a story about a summer afternoon spent in a treehouse.

Contest #50

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

940

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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