Even top entertainers can suffer from butterflies before a big event. Learn how you can stave off nerves using suggestions from five stage stars' experiences

• The actress: power of positive thinking
• The dancer: breathing techniques
• The comedian: fight fear
• The musician: picturing success
• The opera singer: preparation is key

The actress: power of positive thinking

"I can feel physically sick with nerves," says 21-year-old Louisa Hutchison, who's just finished starring in The Snow Queen, staged by Hull Truck Theatre.

"The way I overcome my feelings is to talk myself through them. This might sound strange. But it works.

"I will say to myself; 'I've done this before and it was great. I can do this again and it will be great. I know I can do this.' I say this over and over until I believe it."

Create your own mantra
Try to recall something you achieved that you'd thought would be difficult or made you feel really good about yourself. Then repeat to yourself (quietly and in private might be a good idea!): 'If I can do that, I can do this' - whether 'this' is presenting a report, meeting a client, dealing with colleagues or something else.

It may sound all-too-easy, but try it. Believe me, before you know it, you'll be thinking positively and it will be reflected in the confidence of your speech, meeting or report.

The dancer: breathing techniques

"Even after all these years, I still get nervous," says Etta Murfitt, who's spent almost two decades on the stage. Her dancing career began when she was 19; today she is the principal ballerina in Matthew Bourne's critically acclaimed Nutcracker.

"To settle myself down I breathe - deeply, and slowly, for at least five minutes. This helps me physically and mentally. It slows down my heart rate. I can then focus on being still, peaceful and in charge."

Learning to breathe
Next time you're feeling insecure, take a few minutes and try to focus on your breathing. Feel yourself taking in deep breaths of air and slowly releasing out again.

Breathe deeply so you're expanding the bottom of your ribcage outwards (you'll know you're breathing from the correct spot if you place your hands on either side of your body, towards the bottom of your ribcage and can feel your ribs move out slightly). Repeat this exercise for a few moments. It will enable you to regain your composure and your sense of a control.

The comedian: fight fear

"I can get really worried that I'm going to 'die' in front of an audience," says stand-up Jasmine Birtles.

This is despite having an established career. In addition to holding court in clubs, Jasmine, 38, writes sketches, authors joke books, does after-dinner speaking, and provides voiceovers for TV and radio.

To deal with her fears, she examines them: "I ask myself: 'Is this really my opinion of myself?' or 'Am I being misled by my own mind?'"

"What's the worst that could happen? OK, I might fail. But then I know, deep down, I would pick myself up and try again. This idea emboldens me."

Ask the right questions
If you find yourself afraid to accept a new work challenge, find out why. Who says you can't do it? Who says you're not the sort of person to take on that responsibility? Where is the evidence to back up this negative perception?

And, remember, even if you did make a mistake, you would learn from it and move on - no real harm done.

The musician: picturing success

"My mouth goes dry. My legs shake. My hands get sweaty," says Katherine Bryan, who's grown up on the stage. She made her debut as a child and went on to perform in Britain, Europe and the US. Now, at 21, she is the Royal Scottish National Orchestra's principal flautist.

"My coping technique is to see myself being successful. I picture myself on stage, playing well. I concentrate on how this looks and feels. And I focus on this."

Find the ideal scenario
So, before a career difficulty arrives - that Ofstead examiner, for example, or maybe a new manager - visualise yourself dealing with the situation perfectly. Then keep hold of that image. It will boost your confidence.

The opera singer: preparation is key

"I always get butterflies before a show; they can be with me right up until the moment I begin to sing," says Giselle Allen, an award winning soprano who will be performing a lead in Opera North's forthcoming production of Bartered Bride.

"My calming routine involves warming up my voice and my body earlier in the day. Then, towards the afternoon, I practise some of the more difficult notes or technically challenging parts.

"Taking some of the unknown out of my performance makes me feel more secure about what I'm about to do."

Remove the X factor
When you have to do something new or demanding, be it going for an interview, making a presentation or working with a new system, prepare as much as you can in advance. When the moment of truth arrives, you will be ready, and this will bolster your confidence.

Parting advice

Anne Durham, a professional expert with the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art says:

"Stage performers can teach you a lot, but don't fall into the trap of trying to become an actor yourself. People always see through a fake. Just be who you are, to the best of your ability."