@lucillelucillelucille Your answer was so cheeky. I love it ;)
I was terrified of performing in front of others when I was young. The first thing I ever had to do before a bit audience, was deliver one of the valedictorian speeches in middle school. I recited an original poem in its stead and received polite applause.
In high school, I signed myself up for drama and could not figure out why I had decided to do that to myself. I was a background character in the The Pearl and performed several song and dance numbers (despite being terrible at both singing and dancing) for a Broadway Showcase at the end of the year. I also recited poetry each year during the Talent Show and placed second once (and won $50 for it!)
During my junior year, I was in The Odd Couple. I received very kind reviews for it. Working with the underclassmen on that play was one of the best things I ever did in high school. It was wonderful.
I’m not about to get on stage again, but I have read my written works at conventions and that’s always such a treat. People have shown me nothing but kindness and given me pointers on how to improve both my speaking ability in front of audiences (ironically, I’m fine on stage but petrified on ground level) and my writing.