CASA - the contemporary a cappella society

Speaking on Stage

Written by Dave Brown

Thursday, 15 November 2007

You are a professional, hard-working, respectful, and committed performer; and when you joined your group, you probably brought significant singing and performing experience to the table. But chances are, you have very little experience with speaking on stage. It’s probably something you just never thought about before. Now’s a perfect time to start.*

Every time you speak to the audience, it’s like performing a song. There’s a purpose to it. Too many performers just let it fly, speaking off the cuff. If you don’t prepare and practice your speaking (just like your singing), at best you’ll just lose a chance to connect with your audience, and at worst you’ll come across as ill-prepared or even self-centered. Below are a few tips to keep in mind as you prepare your “talkie-talkies.”

Rules for speaking:

Be prepared. This is the most commonly ignored element of speaking on stage. When a group hasn’t planned who’s talking to the audience, it’s unfortunately obvious. So before your group gets up on stage, you should know who’s talking when. Go so far as to write it on the set list. Memorize where you are in the show so you don’t have to always look down at the set list at the end of every song. Memorize which song you come after and which song you’re introducing, so that you’ll know what kind of energy level you’re dealing with. Practice your talkie-talkie moment. Decide what you want to get across. Are you going to say the soloist’s name? The song name? Is there a story you plan to share? Practice it in front of your director a few times. Make your mistakes in rehearsal rather than on stage.
Acknowledge the audience. When your big moment comes, don’t jump the gun. Audiences like to applaud and appreciate you. If you speak over their applause, it may be due to nerves or inexperience, but it feels to the audience like a lack of gratitude for the applause. Plus, if you talk over the applause, the audience won’t hear what you say. Once the applause is almost gone, that’s the perfect time to begin speaking. Say thank you. And don’t forget to SMILE. If you look genuinely grateful, the audience will perceive your humility, and they’ll like you that much more.
Speak slowly and clearly. This is a very common problem. If you don’t speak slowly and clearly enough, all your preparation will be in vain. Not only is it hard in general to understand people who speak quickly, but the problem is magnified over a microphone, speakers, and a large auditorium. Slow down, then slow down again. Articulate clearly, and then slow down some more. And keep smiling.
Have a point. As mentioned above, every speaking moment has a purpose. Your job as the speaker is to help shift the energy in the room from where it was at the end of the last song to where it needs to be at the beginning of the next song. Are you supposed to slow things down, speed things up, lighten the mood, or set up an emotional song?
Avoid cliché phrases. Common phrases are not evil; they’re just overdone, and therefore can feel meaningless. Sprinkle them sparingly over your show… like pepper. Common phrases to use rarely include:
            We’re going to slow things down a bit. (plus, this is very “obvious” language)
            How are you all doing tonight? (use only once per show)
            Are you guys having a good time tonight? (use only once per hour)
            Are you guys excited to be here?
            Unfortunately, this is our last song.
            Do you guys want to hear one more?
Honor your audience. Invite your audience in – include them in every moment. Don’t make comments to your fellow performers; or if you do, make them slow and clear, and make it something that the audience will understand and appreciate. No inside jokes. Never speak down to your audience – they reign supreme. One common problem is when performers give away too much; this is referred to as completing the circle. If you draw most of the circle, the audience will finish it in their minds. Good comedians do this. Rather than saying, “Watch for the amazing drum solo in the middle of this song,” just say, “we’ve got some fun surprises with this tune.” Or better yet, don’t say anything at all; let the audience discover it for themselves. Let them complete the circle.
Give a take-away. Mention your website (speaking very clearly). Tell people about your CD and where to buy it. Mention your mailing list sign-up sheets at the table in the lobby. Hand out T-shirts. Whatever you can do to make your group available to the audience after your set is over, do it, and tell them about it during the latter parts of your set.
Repeat important items. Audience members will often talk to each other during the time when you talk. If there’s something you really don’t want them to miss (intermission after this song, website URL, CD info, this is the last song of the night), you should repeat that information either in multiple talkie-talkies, or multiple times during one talkie-talkie.
Get to the point. Don’t ramble on – keep it short. And if something weird happens, if you misspeak or whatever, just move on. No one will even remember.
Leave the name of the song for the end. This is like when someone announces your group. There’s a certain cantor or rhythm to an introduction which ends with the name – it’s a clue to the audience that the speaking is over. Or, of course when the song is particularly well known, feel free to not say the name at all.

When you’re not speaking:

Pay attention to the speaker. If you look disinterested in what the speaker is saying, the audience will get the impression that what she’s saying is not very important. If you talk to each other, the audience will wonder what you’re saying. If you’ve got something crucial to say, keep it quick.
Don’t one-up the speaker. Don’t speak when it’s not your turn. Don’t worry about your burning joke that’s so funny (or so much funnier than the one just said). Usually it’s not as funny as you think. Plus, if your words aren’t planned, the speaker may talk over you, and the audience will understand neither of you. If you have to speak, perhaps to clarify or correct something the speaker said, get the speaker’s attention first, and say it in a polite way that supports the speaker. Audiences love groups whose members respect each other.
Be prepared to start the song. If the speaker ends the talkie, and the group isn’t in place, there’s an awkward pause that kinda ruins the energy level the speaker worked so hard to create. If you’re all in position, with pitch pipe in hand, the speaker can just quickly jump into place and the song can begin. Perfect.

Talking between songs can be a great moment to bring the audience in, share information, and show group member support. If you plan ahead and practice your talking, just like you do with your singing and dancing, your show will be much more polished and you’ll be a more professional performer.

*This article is a direct copy of a handout I’ve delivered at numerous workshops, including this past weekend at SoJam. Thanks to all who’ve contributed to the development of these ideas, including my a cappella “mentor” Bob Ahlander, as well as all my workshop attendees.