The stage and the audience

The stage is the physical space with which we interact when presenting our speech. It plays a fundamental role in the way the message is received. It is not the same to rehearse the speech at home than to present it in an auditorium, that is why it is of vital importance that we learn to move on stage efficiently.

A speech can be presented in an infinite number of different places, for example: a theater, a school classroom, a public place, among others. Depending on the characteristics of the place where we present, we will use different strategies and resources to ensure that we can maintain effective communication with all those present.

During the development of the following session, we will be addressing some of the basic elements that revolve around this topic. This will be useful for you to perfect the way you interact with the stage and convey your speech to the audience.

Movement on stage: The way we move on stage significantly affects the degree of attention the audience holds on the speech. When our movements are scarce or practically null, the speech becomes more monotonous and boring. On the other hand, when we make many movements quickly and repeatedly, the audience may lose concentration as they have to constantly follow you with their eyes. In addition, moving in this way conveys the feeling that we are nervous or with a high degree of anxiety.

Ideally, you should know how to control your body language, moving around the stage safely and at a medium pace. Movements are necessary because they add dynamism to the presentation, but overdoing them can cause undesired effects.

The intensity of the voice: The intensity of the voice is closely related to the stage where we are. The larger the stage, the more we will be forced to speak loudly or use amplifiers and microphones to be heard more easily. Make sure your voice maintains a volume at which it can be understood by everyone present. Mistakes with the audio during a presentation can have a significant impact on the quality of the presentation.

Before delivering a speech, take the time to get to know the venue and interact with it. During these reconnaissance visits, you should consider that once the stage is full, sound absorption will increase and therefore you will need a higher volume.

The audience's vision: There are speeches that are planned long in advance and there are others that arise in more improvised ways. Regardless of which is your case, pay attention to the audience's vision. At this point, you will have to use your cunning to generate an atmosphere that can be enjoyed by everyone present. If the people in the background cannot observe you properly, screens can be incorporated to facilitate this process. If the logistics of the event do not allow for these adaptations, try moving to other areas where you will be more visible.

It is preferable to limit the number of spectators, than to expose your speech in a place where part of your audience cannot even see you. A great deal of the information that is received by our brain is through vision. That said, those who cannot see you will be at a disadvantage when it comes to receiving the message you intend to communicate.

Logistics is a key element in crafting engaging speeches. Even if it is not part of your job, get involved in these processes to ensure that on the day of your presentation, everything is as you want it to be.