--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Usually in the first performances I'm…" description: "\"Usually in the first performances I'm completely panicked. And I pull myself together. By the time you get to the end of the play, you really start to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1a/christopher-walken-1773_ends_usually-in-the-first-performances-i-m-co_1713448.jpg" --- # Usually in the first performances I'm completely panicked… ![“Usually in the first performances I'm completely panicked. And I pull myself together. By the time you get to the end of the play, you really start to have fun.” quote by Christopher Walken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1a/christopher-walken-1773_ends_usually-in-the-first-performances-i-m-co_1713448.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1a/christopher-walken-1773_ends_usually-in-the-first-performances-i-m-co_1713448.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1a/christopher-walken-1773_ends_usually-in-the-first-performances-i-m-co_1713448.jpg) > “Usually in the first performances I'm completely panicked. And I pull myself together. By the time you get to the end of the play, you really start to have fun.” [Christopher Walken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-walken/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Initial fear can be transformed into enjoyment through perseverance and focus. **In simple terms:** Fear turns to fun with practice. Key Takeaway Persist through early panic. Themes performance growth confidence Mood nervous hopeful Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - theatre rehearsals - public speaking - sports competition Key Concepts psychology stagecraft mindset Questions to Reflect On - What techniques help you shift from panic to enjoyment? - How does repeated exposure change your emotional response? A Different Perspective Fear may persist despite effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Having fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/having-fun/) [Performances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performances/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Your heart opens and of course you're completely panicked because you're used to guarding this organ with your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/your-heart-opens-and-of-course-you-re-completely-panicked-because-you/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [At the end, when you play, you want to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xabi-alonso/at-the-end-when-you-play-you-want-to-win/) [Xabi Alonso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xabi-alonso/) > [I think that first nights should come near the end of a play's run-as indeed, they often do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-ustinov/i-think-that-first-nights-should-come-near-the-end-of-a-play-s-run-as/) [Peter Ustinov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-ustinov/) > [“You are like the actor who, at the end of the play, with a final word, reveals that he is a different character than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douard-lev/you-are-like-the-actor-who-at-the-end-of-the-play-with-a-final-word/) [Édouard Levé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douard-lev/) > [If I'm not moved by what happens at the end of this play, then I've completely failed, and so has the play, and so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judd-hirsch/if-i-m-not-moved-by-what-happens-at-the-end-of-this-play-then-i-ve/) [Judd Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judd-hirsch/) > [Everyone will always have ideas about how to make your work better. 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