# Prepare for my first open mic, recital, or reading

A preparation plan, set list, and nerves toolkit for performing music, poetry, or comedy in front of people.

- Topic: Personal Life & Wellbeing
- Framework: Few-Shot
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Plan, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/prepare-for-my-first-open-mic-recital-or-reading

## Prompt

```text
Help me prepare for my first live performance.

**What I'm performing:** [e.g. "two songs on guitar", "a piano recital piece", "three poems", "a short stand-up set"]
**Event and date:** [e.g. "café open mic, 3 weeks away, 5-minute slot"]
**Audience:** [e.g. "friendly strangers", "other students and parents"]
**How ready I am now:** [e.g. "I can play it at home but mess up when anyone watches"]
**What worries me most:** [e.g. "shaking hands", "forgetting words", "talking between songs"]

Give me:
1. A countdown plan from now to the day: what to practice each week, including run-throughs in front of one person, then a few, and recording myself.
2. How to choose and order my set for a short slot, with a strong opener and a timing check (leave buffer for tuning or applause).
3. What to say: a simple intro and a short line between pieces, written in a relaxed tone I can adapt.
4. A mistake recovery plan: how to keep going, restart a line, or laugh it off.
5. Day-of checklist: what to bring, sign-up, sound check, warm-up, eating and sleep.
6. A 5-minute calm-down routine for right before I go on (breathing, grounding, what to focus on).

Keep it encouraging; remind me that nerves are normal and the audience at these events is usually rooting for performers.
```

## What to fill in

- e.g. "café open mic, 3 weeks away, 5-minute slot"
- e.g. "friendly strangers", "other students and parents"
- e.g. "I can play it at home but mess up when anyone watches"

Free to copy and use. From ThinkWithPrompt (https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/), a library of 2,663 curated AI prompts.