But I'm Not An Actor!

By Donna Davis

So you think you don't need theatre skills? Sure you do. You need to be clear and persuasive wherever you are speaking—in a courtroom, a classroom, a sales pitch, a pulpit—maybe even at home.

We all have the same equipment—body, voice and imagination. You can learn to use yours more effectively by practicing the techniques that actors use, and you'll have fun doing it.
Often the most important task is clarifying what you want: "Can you teach me to act like a woman?" It was clearly a masculine voice on the phone. "Sure," I said, "when do you want to start?"

That was the beginning of a six-month adventure, during which we did clarify exactly what Michael wanted and found ways to meet his goals.

Most projects don't take six months. You can change how you present yourself and it may not take very long. Refining your speaking skills will help you feel confident whether your audience is one person or a multitude, and as you develop vitality, enthusiasm and ease, your audience will be increasingly receptive.

This is pragmatic work. Clients have told me that a few weeks or months of this training have created greater changes in their lives than many years of therapy.

I started training actors soon after I began directing plays. Then people in other professions asked for coaching in speaking and writing. I love helping people find out that their abilities are greater than they knew.

FEEDBACK: CLICK HERE to email comments and feedback. Please note the title of the article or the author's name. Include your own name or type "name withheld" by request. Thoughtful responses will be published in our next edition.