THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
46
“THE ACTOR’S SPEECH ON STAGE IS THE HEART OF THE
CHARACTER”
Aydos Otepbergenov
Dean of the Faculty of Theatre Arts,
Nukus Branch of the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15679915
Annotation:
This article analyzes the actor’s speech on stage as a
fundamental artistic tool in character creation. It explains how a character is
brought to life through the technical and emotional aspects of stage speech,
including voice and breathing techniques, intonation, tempo, and pauses.
Additionally, the article highlights the integral connection between stage speech
and acting skills, presents a system of exercises, and discusses pedagogical
approaches. The article is valuable both theoretically and practically for actors,
theater arts teachers, and students.
Keywords:
Stage speech, acting skills, character, intonation, articulation,
breathing techniques, dramatic expression, theater.
The art of theater is a unique form of art that expresses the human psyche, life
events, and social issues in an artistic manner. At its center stands the actor, a
living performer. The actor brings the character to life and breathes existence
into it. In this process, the actor’s speech holds unparalleled importance. This is
because the actor’s speech on stage is the heart of the character it is the primary
means of expressing the character’s inner world, emotions, and goals. Theater
art is built upon live performance, dynamic movement, and direct emotional
communication. The most important instrument in this art is the actor.
Alongside their movements, appearance, and emotional state, their greatest tool
is speech. Behind the actor’s words lies the spiritual world of the character.
Therefore, the actor’s speech on stage is the heart of the character, it is the
words spoken from the heart that bring the character to life. Stage speech is the
main tool the actor uses to create the character. Based on the director’s
instructions, the actor constructs their character through words. However, this
is not ordinary speech, but artistic, emotional, precise, purposeful stage speech.
The actor’s speech convinces the audience, brings the character to life, drives the
plot forward, and reveals dramatic conflicts. Through stage speech, the actor
expresses the character’s thoughts, emotional state, and life position. Every
pronunciation, every pause, reflects the inner world of the character. Many
viewers perceive the actor’s speech as natural and simple. However, behind the
stage speech lies hard work and unique technical and aesthetic approaches.
Stage speech is a skill achieved through the harmony of many elements such as
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
47
proper use of the voice, articulation, pronunciation, breathing, tempo, pauses,
intonation, and emotion. If the actor wishes to breathe life into the character,
they must first pay sufficient attention to the power of words and their
emotional expressive possibilities. Only then can the character find a way to the
audience’s heart. In creating a character, the actor relies on the following main
speech tools: sound, voice volume, timbre, and expression reveal the character’s
nature. Breathing, especially correct breathing,is fundamental to stage speech.
Breath control determines the actor’s vocal capabilities. Stage speech is based on
deep,intermediate, and shallow breathing techniques. To maintain a smooth
voice even under emotional stress, it is essential to work with the
diaphragm.Emotional states are controlled through breathing. Clear and precise
pronunciation forms the foundation of stage speech. Words must be
understandable even in the last row of the audience. Continuous exercises on
the tongue, lips, jaw, and vocal cords are necessary. Intonation gives spirit,
mood, and dramatic effect to speech. A voice tone that matches the character
and intonation that reflects the emotional state deepen the portrayal. For
example, a trembling voice is needed in a frightening situation, a high pitch
during agitation, and a calm, sincere tone in a love scene. Pauses act as a tool for
silent speech. They deepen the thought and reveal the inner world of the
character. Tempo and rhythm bring the stage reality to life and enhance
dramatic moments. The speed of words and the rhythm of tone express the
character of the role. Words carry not only grammatical meaning but also
emotion behind them. Through words, the actor feels and conveys their
emotions to the audience. This creates the true heartbeat of the character. Pause
is the dramatic power within silence. With its help, the actor can make the
audience sense the character’s inner emotions. A character is created not only
through actions, facial expressions, and costumes, but also through correctly
spoken and deeply felt words. It is through speech that the actor gives the
character its "heartbeat." An actor’s stage speech is not the result of natural
talent alone but the outcome of consistent training, research, and analysis over
many years. Every actor refines their speech daily through speech therapy
exercises, breathing techniques, working with poetic texts, and analyzing
dramatic monologues. Famous actors describe stage speech as “thinking with
the voice” and “living through words.” This represents the true artistic level of
acting. Stage speech for an actor is not merely speaking; it is a means of
creativity, emotion, and character creation. The actor’s speech on stage is the
heart of the character through it, the character lives, suffers, laughs, cries, and
THEORETICAL ASPECTS IN THE FORMATION OF
PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES
International scientific-online conference
48
affects the audience. Therefore, every actor must never stop working on their
speech. The true magic of the stage is the character created through words. The
actor fully embodies the character through div, soul, emotions, and voice. In
this process, stage speech and acting movements complement each other. For
example, when movement and speech contradict, dramatic tension increases,
when speech and facial expressions harmonize, the character becomes stronger.
The character expresses thoughts not only through movement (pantomime) but
also through words. For instance, the monologues in Shakespeare’s works
represent the art of reflecting the inner spiritual processes of the character
through speech. The famous question “To be or not to be?” reveals the
character’s inner turmoil through stage speech. Stage speech is the heart of the
character brought to life through the actor’s voice. This heart is not just voice
but feeling, thought, intonation, and art. The more an actor works on their
speech, the more alive and impactful the character becomes.Therefore, every
actor should accept stage speech not just as a tool but as an art form and strive
for its perfection.
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