Project Yourself!
By Lynda Blair Vernalia, N2Arts Correspondent
How to improve your stage presence
 

ave you ever lost a part because you could not “project” your voice further than the front row? Would you like to have a “bigger” stage presence?

Here are some simple projection techniques to improve your chances of being heard. Many of these techniques are derived from personal theatre experiences and co-mingled with adaptations from my favorite performance text Fundamentals of Singing for Voice Classes by Charles Lindsley.

1. Believe in Yourself.

   This is the first rule for projecting a strong self-image.

   Exercise: “Laughing Out Loud”

   Stand in front of a mirror. Practice laughing and talking loudly. Adults often want children to be quiet. Lose your fear of sound; performers do not fear being heard.
   
   Remember: “Projection” is not shouting, but increasing the intensity of average sound. Shouting strains the voice; good vocal projection is not painful.

2. Stand Up.

   Good posture enhances vocal projection. Even actors slumped over in character incorporate posture adjustments in order to be heard.

   Exercise: “Audition Stance"

   Stand upright. Let the head rest comfortably on the spine. Maintain a straight, non-rigid back. Roll back the shoulders gently to raise your ribcage. Now, roll the hips slightly forward while tucking the tailbone in to provide support. Feet should be a comfortable distance apart, either parallel or front to back. Try the laughing exercise again. Is your sound more solid? Supported? Read out loud from a script or speech, held at eye level.

   Remember: Relax! Tense muscles may cause vocal strain.

3. Make Noise.

   My band director always said, “If you’re going to make a mistake, make it a BIG one!” Loud mistakes need to be supported by lots of air. If you want to make noise, learn to flatten your diaphragm muscle and expand/contract the intercostal muscles in your rib cage. This creates room to fill your lungs with air.

   Exercise: “Fill Up"

   Lay on the floor, placing your hands on your stomach. Practice breathing steadily in and out. You should feel your stomach expand and your hands rise and fall. Stand up and place hands on your lower back. Breathe again. Repeat with hands on your waist. Feel your back and sides expanding. You are helping your lungs to expand. Stand properly, fill your lungs and laugh heartily, then quietly, but intensely! Reread the script or speech, playing with the volume of your voice by increasing and decreasing the amount of air. Learn which body parts are affected.

   Remember: It is easier to soften a loud sound than beef up a weak noise.

4. Focus!

   Once upright, relaxed and supported, you can now focus on controlling the airflow to create what is known as “resonance.” Our “vocal apparatus,” the larynx, nose, mouth and throat are all resonating chambers which help to focus and magnify sound. The shapes and sizes of resonators are what make us each sound unique. Your ability to focus the airflow through your resonators will determine the level and quality of sounds you can achieve.

   Exercise: “Resonance Play"

   Reread the script or speech focusing air through your resonating chambers. Speak nasally. Focus air behind your teeth or toward the roof of your mouth. Speak in a high voice without the gravel from the throat. Then put air in your throat and let it grovel there. Play with your resonators until you find unique combinations you like best.

   Remember: When projection is done well, breathing, standing and speaking work in one cooperative effort.

Lynda Blair Vernalia has a BA in Performance Arts (Music and Theatre) from Bradford College and an EdM from Harvard University. She performs in her home state of Massachusetts in community theatre, most frequently with her Drama Ministry team in her local church congregation where she also writes and directs. She can be reached by email at lbvern@comcast.net.