Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 3/21/2010

Question
Hi,
  i just wanted to ask you how to control my vocal levels in acting in a play. The reason is because I'm in the play Charlotte's web for my high school children play and I am Wilbur. I'm in the advanced acting class so the teacher does teach us things but not the basics and she keeps bugging me about my "vocal levels", she says i sound sort of dead after a while becasue i keep the same tone in my voice. I would just like to know how to perfect this part of acting. She told me to use the sentence, I love cheese, but put more emphasis on one of the words and just practice that way and i did but when i went to rehearsals it seems like she didn't notice any change in my "vocal level" because she told me again. It is very embarrassing to be stopped in the middle of a scene in front of everyone because they say I'm a newbie that didn't take her intro class. i just would like to show the teacher and the cast that i get it. Do you have any advice to give me, I'm sure it'll be most helpful

Answer
Hi there, Thiree...And thanks for writing.

This is a common struggle with young actors in particular.  But you would be surprised how many people actually struggle with this issue of vocal levels.  It is quite incredible really.  So be encouraged that you are not alone.

Also, be encouraged that this can be fixed.  It can be something you learn not to do.

My guess is that you talk this way as well when you are not on stage.  

So I would like you to take a tape recorder or any recording device including your computer (just find something that records) and just turn it on and have a conversation with someone about anything.  Don't change a thing.  Just talk as if you have nothing recording.  Then listen to yourself on the recording to find out if you are speaking in a monotone fashion.

Once you have confirmed and hear that you are talking in a monotone fashion, then take some time to record an artist that you admire - someone who you can listen to for hours.  Record someone from television or from a film.  Compare your voice and talking with their's to establish the difference between you.  

Then, once you have confirmed that there is a difference, then ask yourself what the difference is.  What are they doing that you are not doing?  And what is it that causes you to speak monotone?

Another thing to do is look at your script and speak outloud your lines doing one at a time.  Repeat a line in as many different ways as you can.  What is it that you want to say with the line?  What is it that you want to emphasize?  THAT is what you should be working to bring out in your performance.

Does that help you?


Wanda