Commonly known as stage fright, performance anxiety is the anxiety, fear, or persistent phobia which may be awoken in an individual by the requirement to perform in front of an audience, whether actually or potentially.

In some cases stage fright may be a part of a larger pattern of social phobia (social anxiety disorder), but many people experience stage fright without any wider problems.

Stage fright may be observed in people of all experiences and backgrounds, from those completely new to being in front of an audience to those who have done so for years. It is commonly known among everyday people and may, for example, affect their confidence in job interviews. It also affects actors, comedians, musicians, and politicians.

Keynotes about performance anxiety will often look into the symptoms of performance anxiety and provide actionable tips on how to avoid it.