[mhs]

The idea that you're not supposed to have stage-fright, or experience it, is probably not much of a premise. It's like the expectations some have that life is supposed to for some reason go well for you, or you're supposed to be happy, when ~90% of the population of the world is in completely dire straights (starving, dying of something, being slaughtered..). Expectations are really bad things.

Since it tends to go away eventually (a few minutes to awhile after beginning), just don't stop playing, singing, or whatever it is you do that brings it on. I find that talking to the audience helps if it's truly bad. Just saying a few words can mostly defuse a bout. Talk about anything. It doesn't matter. Getting a few words out matters. Play the theme from Leave it to Beaver.

We're in a world where we've all seen too much TV or movies where people aren't showing fear, anxiety, etc, but that's TV. In life, there is fear, anxiety, and all of that good stuff ;) Doesn't mean you shouldn't do things anyway.

The post about deep breathing (by Larry) is good and always is a good thing to do in panicky moments (or non-panicky ones too, have to practice it a little).