How can I project more on stage?

Question

I have always been shy and so developed a quiet voice. Sometimes people have to ask me to repeat myself because they can't hear me. How can I project more on stage? I would really love to audition for a play based on a book I LOVE in about two or three weeks. Thanks!

Answer 1

Diaphragmatic breathing. Do this:

Sit on a chair with your spine straight and your head centered over your torso. Inhale. Did your shoulders rise? I thought so.

Try it again, only this time keep your shoulders down and "throw" your belly out when you inhale. Feels different, huh?  Did you notice that you took in more air when you did that?

Your belly muscles, when you use them, create a vacuum in your lungs. Do this: inhale, big inhale, and then hold it. Exhale saying "Huh, huh,huh" and use the same muscles that you use when you upchuck.

Only don't upchuck. It's just an exercise. Kinda hurts, don't it? You'll get used to it. Like any muscle or muscle group, it gets stronger as you use it.

Congratulations. You are now breathing diaphragmatically.

Now think of this: your throat is a garden hose. A little water pressure makes a trickle (we can't HEEEAARR you!). A lot of water pressure makes a torrent. Your lungs are the water pressure, and your belly muscles are the spigot. Turn up the spigot, and you can be heard all the way across a football field, even if you whisper.

This, BTW, is the mysterious "support" that acting and voice teachers are always going on about.

Answer 2

Open your mouth big, but don't look like you're signing Opera or something just pretend the crowd isn't there and just talk with your mouth bigger than normal cause notice whenever you whisper or talking quietly your mouth is usually more closed than it is big and open.