Voicenticity Sessions

In this session we develop the technical areas of voice. Pace, volume, range, clarity, being on camera and microphone, filling an auditorium and reaching the back row. We do this by exercising vocally, and by physically experiencing how your voice and body language convey the messages you wish to deliver. This is something useful for people from beginner level to very experienced speakers but truly professional speakers will continue to expand vocal flexibility muscularity and agility throughout their lives. Participants are offered clear guidance on exercises they can do moving forward in order to continue developing the areas covered in the session.

Here we explore the craft of storytelling. Using techniques from the theatre, but also traditional storytelling methods, we observe the style of the individual and the storytelling techniques they naturally use to bring more of these into their professional speaking engagements. This does not mean departing from our natural way of delivering, but rather recognising how all human beings communicate through story, and all audiences will respond to a story. That is why the tabloids are so successful, and why all communities when they gather will relay stories about people they know in common, important experiences they recently had, or a football match they have just watched. Human beings communicate in largest part through story, it is a tradition as old as language.

For more experienced speakers and thought leaders we look at the role inspirational speaking plays in drawing your listeners into your vision and encouraging them to take action.

As we move forward in virtual reality rooms we explore how to minimise the drawbacks and focus on the benefits of this medium. Many people find being on camera challenging at the best of times, to suddenly be adding this new dimension to the already present and increasing demands of work can therefore create anxiety. The first thing we do is break down and identify the specific demands being made on us when we are on camera. Once we understand and acquire the skills needed for this mode of delivery, anxiety dissolves and we can begin to get creative with screen space. If we consider skills used for presenting in real time as being similar to theatre skills, then effective performance onscreen requires techniques used to fill the screen on film. Using exercises from screen acting, mindful practises and voice exercises, we explore how to come into the virtual room more fully and make our online connections meaningful and productive even if we are on opposite sides of the planet.

This is not a workshop filled with flipchart, power point or video but a unique opportunity for your senior team to work with techniques originating from theatre and film.

The journey from mind to written word is different to the journey from mind to spoken word. To prepare for speaking we use exercises that will warm up your imagination, creativity and expressive muscles, the exercises that actors use to hold their audience’s attention for over an hour, enthralled. Even the most experienced of presenters find there is much to learn from this new angle.

The games we play address every aspect of performance from voice work and storytelling to body language, status, presence, role and vision. Whatever your talent as a speaker we shine a light on it so you offer an “Authentic Performance” and have genuine impact on what your audience go on to think, feel and do from there.

This session is often run as an away day, bespoke to specific company requirements for upskilling, and taking place in a London theatre. Participants frequently surprise themselves at the end of the day with their new found ability to stand on stage at the Barbican or Sadlers Wells and effortlessly fill the auditorium.