How to Project For The Stage

Projection is a key skill that all stage actors need to possess. On film, you only need to project to the camera, but on stage you must fill the auditorium with your voice.

 

Notice that I said filling the auditorium with your voice NOT pushing with your voice. If you push, you'll be screaming. This could lead to losing your voice. One thing is for sure, an actor without a voice isn't going to do very good work!

 

The key is to speak from your diaphragm.

 

Your diaphragm is a set of muscles right underneath your lungs that support your breath. If you can consciously harness the power of your diaphragm, then you can do AWESOME things with your voice.

 

Do the following exercise to learn how to project by using your diaphragm:

 

1. Lay on your back on the floor.

 

2. Focus on inhaling and exhaling.

 

3. On the exhale, vocalize the breath. (add sound) - do vowel sounds like Oh, Ah, Uh, etc

 

4. Place your  hand beneath your sternum (that’s the bone that run down the center of your chest).

 

5. You should be able to feel your diaphragm engaging on the exhale as you make the sound.

 

Now, stand and do the same exercise.

 

Once you get the hang of what this feels like, you should begin saying your lines while focusing on your diaphragm.

 

If it doesn't feel or sound the same as when you were laying on the floor, then lay down and repeat the exercise until you can do it standing while using your diaphragm the same way that you are when your laying.

 

If  you continue having trouble,  say your lines from the floor. When you lay on the floor, it forces you to focus on using  your diaphragm.

 

You may notice that when you speak  from the diaphragm that the pitch of your voice will naturally drop a little bit.

 

This is normal.

 

Another thing that's often overlooked with projection is how much you are opening your mouth. If you are not dropping your jaw while speaking,  then you're not giving your projected voice a chance to fill the performance space. Not dropping your jaw, is like muting a trumpet. It makes projection much more difficult.

 

As a stage actor, it is important to be heard because microphones are rarely used - So get out there, drop your jaw, engage your diaphragm, and fill your performance space with your voice!