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A Plea From An Audience Member (Read 765 times)

Nov 17^th, 2007 at 9:59am

mr. spiker Offline
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a nest of sandworms
Eagle Mountain, UT

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Projection and diction are not optional.

Starting with Spamalot at the Capitol I have seen one show after another where at least one actor was utterly unintelligible. It's the curse of this incessant miking: singing and speech with no support and no vocal energy.

Just because you are miked doesn't mean you are doing film. You are still on stage and need to speak clearly and loudly and with energy.

If we can't understand what you are saying/singing, there's really no point to being on stage.

http://www.fiftytwoplays.com

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Reply #1 - Nov 18^th, 2007 at 8:29am

Toddy Offline
Diva
There's A Fairy Who Hides
In My Gaaaaaaarden!
Utah

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Amen. You must always treat your mic as if its not working. Something I was taught in my undergraduate training. "Spamalot" really surprised me in this area.

Crazy world, full of crazy contradictions like a child; first you drive me wild, and then you win my heart with your wicked art; one minute tender, gentle; then tempramental as a summer storm; just when I believe your heart's getting warmer. Your cold and your cruel, and I like a fool try to cope. Try to hang on to hope. Crazy world, everyday the same old roller coaster ride, but I've got my pride, I won't give in; even though I know I'll never win. Oh how I love this, crazy world! -- Henry Mancini

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Reply #2 - Nov 18^th, 2007 at 5:09pm

Princess Buttercup Ex Member

My mother told me the same thing when i was a wee 6 year od giving my first talk in church.

I remember her telling me that the mic was only so the front row could hear you (because you were up high and your voice went over them) and that i still had to speak so the back row could hear me.

For some reason, I never questioned why the mic couldn't reach the back row.

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Reply #3 - Nov 18^th, 2007 at 5:18pm

TonTon Offline
Scenery
I Love PA!
LAYTON, UTAH

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Posts: 8

I couldn't agree with you more! When I started in theatre there were no body mics! As a matter-of-fact, out of 38 years on stage I have used a mike only twice (one being now, the other about 3 years ago)!

It makes me wonder if anyone starting out in theatre now has to ever learn projection and diction!

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Reply #4 - Nov 18^th, 2007 at 5:21pm

The Kaylee and the Ivy Offline
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Come along, Pond.
Coeur de Coeurs

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I've had to learn the hard way. I am not a naturally quiet person, but my voice does not carry onstage at ALL. I am often the quietest person in a cast and usually get the "volume" note at least three or four times. It's something I have to remember and work on really hard, actually.

I've had to learn projection and diction because several of the venues I work in do not have body mics as a rule. I'm a young actress, and so far in my experience, projection and diction has always been valued and taught.

I've been doing pretty well in Rocky-- apparently I am "consistent" and "loud", which pleased me vastly. � Grin

If we're going to die, let's die looking like a Peruvian folk band.

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Reply #5 - Nov 18^th, 2007 at 9:26pm

Princess Buttercup Ex Member

I'm proud to say that I was once stopped during intermission to do a mic check because the little light wasn't going on in the booth...but I sounded the same as the rest of the actors.

My mic was off.

Even if the mics do reach, they are tinny and don't sound natural if you don't project. I don't like mics, but I see the need.

As for diction, please!!Please!! use it. Learn it!

I had a director, for several shows, who tortured me with diction lectures and "quit sounding like you're from Utah" tirades. I'm still working on it.

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Reply #6 - Nov 19^th, 2007 at 7:13am

Wc365 Offline
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The Random Element
West Punkt

Posts: 11610

mr. spiker wrote on Nov 17^th, 2007 at 9:59am:

Projection and diction are not optional.

Thank God. I was afraid you were going to plead for an end to the strike du jure.

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Reply #7 - Nov 19^th, 2007 at 7:19am

Wc365 Offline
All Access
The Random Element
West Punkt

Posts: 11610

TonTon wrote on Nov 18^th, 2007 at 5:18pm:

It makes me wonder if anyone starting out in theatre now has to ever learn projection and diction!

I remember that was a must in the drama programs I was in so long ago. And I remember attending a show in one of the local community theatres and noticing that despite the relatively small house size, all the actors had mics taped to their faces.

First, it struck me as pretentious, like it was a crack at trying to look "big league" (despite all other indicators otherwise). I mean really, couldn't they have clipped them onto a lapel or collar? And why did they need mics in the first place?

Ah, well. Yes, enunciate, PLEASE.

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