I recently had the pleasure of seeing the Tony-nominated production of the crucible I am a huge fan of director Ivo Van Hove’s work and loved his powerful production of A view from the bridge earlier this season. Needless to say, she was really looking forward to tonight at the theater. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. Much of my disappointment was due to the fact that several of the main players were difficult to hear and understand.

There is a simple and profound lesson in this. If an audience member can’t hear you, they will most likely stop caring about you. And if the character is important enough to the plot, one can even stop caring about the whole story. Fortunately I know the crucible pretty well, having studied it both in high school and college. Still, I found myself struggling to capture certain plot points because I just couldn’t hear some of the actors. And unlike most Broadway shows, these actors didn’t have microphones.

Whether you’re a young actor just embarking on your career or a seasoned professional, it’s very important that you take your voice and speech training seriously. Young actors often place too much importance on getting the “emotion” out of a speech and don’t focus enough on vocal clarity. Actors, above all, need to be heard and understood. It is the most important aspect of your job. If I can’t hear or understand you, I can’t appreciate your beautiful character or emotional work!

That doesn’t mean you have to shout on stage to be understood. But you do need to speak from a supported and grounded place. It’s also important to make sure your consonants are crisp and sharp. In speech, vowels carry the emotional life of the word and consonants carry the thought. They are equally important.

If you’re lacking in voice and speech training, check out my article on “5 Essential Warm-Ups.” In that post, you’ll find valuable information on how you can open up your body and voice so you can breathe easier and speak from a more open place. I also recommend picking up a copy of Edith Skinner’s speak with distinction as well as working with a private trainer who can help you speak with a more neutral American accent and improve your diction.

There are many variables in this business that are out of your control. One that is not is the clarity of your voice and speech. Don’t underestimate the importance of this aspect of your training. It can literally make or break your performance.