When I was in the 6th grade, I won a speech-writing competition
sponsored by the service association Sertoma on “The Importance of
Freedom.” To honor us, they held a luncheon for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
place finishers where we delivered our speeches to a large group of
local business people. Though I had no problem speaking loudly on
stage when I was acting, I had never spoken into a microphone before,
and I overcompensated, speaking a bit too quietly while delivering my
speech. My mom attended, and I asked her afterwards if it was bad. She
said that though it was a little quiet, it was just enough that it made
everyone lean in; you could see the audience leaning forward during my
speech, totally engaged in listening to every word. I decided that was
pretty cool, and I've always wanted to achieve that effect without it
being just because I speak quietly.
Today I auditioned for a room of about 15 people. The room was
fairly small, and projection was not an issue. Towards the end of the
scene, I lean forward to tell the other character something very
important and very emotional. As I took a breath and leaned forward,
about to bare my character's soul, I saw the entire room respond by
simultaneously taking a breath and leaning forward in their seats as
well, as if it were choreographed.
Many times, as a member of the audience, I've experienced that
incredible moment where the audience is emotionally invested and there's
a palpable energy between the performer and the audience as we get
wrapped up into the world on stage… But I've never before experienced it
as an actor. And it was awesome.
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