Projection and Volume

Being able to be heard at the back of the theater is an important part of a stage actor’s job. Many productions are unamplified, or may even be outdoors, which can be challenging for an actor to produce loud sounds without hurting their voice. When using projection and volume, an actor wants to be able to produce sound that is healthy, safe, and sustainable for the run of a show. In this module, we will explore how to use projection and volume in theater through resonance, breathing, and diction.

Terminology

• Articulators: The tongue, the upper lip, the lower lip, the upper teeth, the upper gum ridge (alveolar ridge), the hard palate, the velum (the soft palate) are all articulators used in speech and song.
• Diction: The pronunciation of words in a clear manner that allows the audience to understand the text.
• Larynx: A hollow muscular organ that forms the air passage from the lungs to the vocal cords.
• Pharynx: A hollow muscular organ that begins behind the nose and runs from the top of the trachea and the esophagus to the stomach.
• Projection: The enabling of volume in the voice to reach the audience member or listener.
• Resonance: The amplification of the voice through the placement of sound in the body.
• Volume: The degree of loudness or intensity of the sound.