Stage Presence

[Maceman91]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 3:57pm

I am an aspiring musical theatre actor who just has one tid-bit of a problem: my stage presence is lacking! Now I'm aware that most agree that this is something you are just naturally blessed with, but i think there may be a correlation between the voice, energy, and of course how they communicate with the audience. I would like to hear what other people think about this and what they feel is an important aspect to becoming the noticable pesence within the boundry of the stage.

[redheaded]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 6:05pm

It's really about confidence and controlling the space. Always practice it, when you are on stage and when you walk into a room. Make everyone stop what they are doing to notice you have arrived. Hold you head high, walk with purpose, and speak with energy and diction. If you are confident it will be hard not to notice you.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 7:59pm

"Make everyone stop what they are doing to notice you have arrived."

Disagree. Don't become an attention whore.

[SarahBeth]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 8:21pm

"Make everyone stop what they are doing to notice you have arrived."

Agree. If the focus needs to be on you then you need to command attention.

[I*heart*Manhattan]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 8:56pm

You have to walk onto the stage and just think - I know the audience find me fascinating. Just soak up your surroundings and exude confidence. As an excercise (I do this alot) when you are walking down a crowded steet hold your head high, roll your shoulders back and just strut full of confidence. Try to get passers by to notice you by the way you are carrying yourself and energy you exude.

[Maceman91]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 8:58pm

Thank you for your comments! I definitely feel I have a confidence problem, mainly with comedic roles. With anything dramatic, I have no problem what so ever. I even have a spot on stage cry and can induce vomiting (as if that would be needed). I definitely see what you mean Redheaded by saying the need to grab everyone's attention and that will be a goal I will strive to uphold! I'll also do that exercise Manhattan!

Updated On: 3/15/09 at 08:58 PM

[redheaded]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 9:32pm

No inducing vomiting. That, my friend, we call an eating disorder.

[Maceman91]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 10:49pm

"No inducing vomiting. That, my friend, we call an eating disorder."

I meant I can do it without shoving a finger in my mouth. Its just a very odd talent, and I in no way use it to eject food from my body purposely with the desire of loosing weight.

[blondebaby589]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 10:32am

No inducing vomiting. That, my friend, we call an eating disorder.

HAHAHA I'm not sure why but that made me laugh, and it probably shouldn't have...

[redheaded]

Posted: 3/16/09 at 7:45pm

Ok that is pretty impressive, maybe if you ever do a movie you can use it, like if they remade austin powers-goldmember.

[Necromancer07707]

Posted: 3/19/09 at 3:07pm

"No inducing vomiting. That, my friend, we call an eating disorder."
Actually, we call that a leading role in God of Carnage on Broadway or West End haha

Maceman, if you have any video recordings of yourself it would make it a lot easier for us to garner our directions specifically to your needs.

There's a fine line between stage presence and flaunting. Something nobody has touched on yet that is especially important for men: plant your feet strongly on the ground unless if you need to be walking at that moment.

Unfortunately, though, some body types just aren't made for stage presence.