At a recent performance of “A Little Night Music” on Broadway, one of the leads, Catherine Zeta-Jones, had to cancel due to a bad throat. I found that interesting, as I’ve worked with actors and noticed – especially nowadays with Broadway performers being amplified – that many actors don’t support their voices. Consequently, they may develop laryngitis or a raw throat and have to cancel a performance.
I often emphasize the importance of correct breathing as a key to vocal stamina and to help protect your voice and throat. Here are other hints that will help before a presentation.
- Make sure you have plenty of rest. Speaking, like acting, singing or dancing, is physical, and you need energy to support your voice.
- Keep your throat moist and “well oiled,” especially in air-conditioned rooms and in dry, winter air. Avoid alcohol, and drink plenty of water. Hard, sucking candies are also good.
- Be sure you are breathing from your diaphragm or belly, thus supporting your voice.
- At all costs, avoid yelling, which is very hard on your vocal cords.