Pirates Plagued By Pollen: Vocal Warm-ups for Outdoor Theatre

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It is often said that 80% of theatre is what the audience hears. We like to think of the voice as the limb of the body, actively spanning the distance between characters. More profoundly, actors are story-tellers--they embody both the character and the voice of the author simultaneously. Their sounds should create auditory pictures in the minds of the audience.

So, vocal health and maintenance is very important for the actor. Many things can affect an actor’s voice: heat, humidity, dust, allergies, illness. Often regular remedies, like antihistamines can cause swelling in the vocal folds (most people call them vocal cords, but they most clearly resemble folds) and make the actor sound hoarse. Colds can cause congestion in sinuses, which are the resonators of higher pitched sounds. Chest congestion can reduce resonance in the lower register.

We use various exercises that help an actor reduce swelling in the vocal folds and open up resonators. Gentle humming and soft, open vowel sounds create movement in the folds as well as circulation of air that moves phlegm more gently than coughing or clearing the throat. Gentle shaking or tapping on resonators can help open up these resonators by dislodging mucus, therefore helping the actor focus on the areas that their voice can rest in most comfortably. Vocal exercises can help them learn which resonators they can use best to continue even when ill and use their voice in a way that will not cause vocal damage.

Also, in a given performance, the actor may have to adjust their use of voice to help them continue a performance. Changes in barometric pressure can create pressure in higher resonators, and if an actor is using those to avoid straining his or her folds, a change in tactic is called for. This is just another way actors strive to give you the best entertainment they can.

Next time you have a cold, talk to an actor friend! They will help you get through it smoothly with as little discomfort and strain on your vocal folds as possible! See one of our pirates and Director Mark Hardiman do a shortened version of vocal warm-up before the show here.