Some actors feel natural when they are on stage or in front of a camera. But when it comes time to speak during an interview, audition, or live talk, everything tightens up. Words do not come out the same way. It is frustrating, especially when the goal is to really connect.

That is where public speaking classes can make a big difference. These classes build simple, steady habits that help people speak clearly, even when nerves hit. They teach how to share thoughts without getting stuck, how to breathe through pressure, and how to sound more like yourself under stress. Whether someone is performing on a film set or speaking to a live crowd, being able to speak well helps them connect with whoever is in front of them.

For actors in a busy city like Los Angeles, California, those moments come often. Now is a good time to build confidence before spring auditions pick up. At Michelle Danner Acting Studio, public speaking classes are offered in Los Angeles and online for adults at every level, so you can build these skills in a format that fits your schedule.

Speaking Clearly So People Listen

Strong speaking does not always mean having a loud voice. It means knowing what to say and how to say it without losing your audience. In performance and regular life, rushed words or shaky tones make it harder to be understood. Clarity brings control.

In public speaking classes, we focus on a few basic but powerful tools for stronger speech. Classes include voice training to develop clear, articulate speech and tools to improve pacing, pitch, and volume so your message stays easy to follow. Here is what we often see help most:

• Learning to slow down, even when adrenaline is high
• Practicing breathing to make words less shaky and more steady
• Noticing how tone matches emotion, and not overdoing it

We do not rush through scripts. Instead, we focus on how each word sounds and feels. Over time, this makes actors more aware of their habits and more confident during moments where they need to speak from their true self.

Staying Calm Under Pressure

Speaking when you are nervous feels different. Your voice may shake. Your hands might twitch. Sometimes your mind even goes blank. This shows up a lot in auditions, Q&A panels, or any time an actor speaks without a script.

That is why we spend time on how to feel steady even when your heart is racing. Through low-pressure practice, actors learn how to stay centered when things feel unpredictable. These tools can help when nerves start to take over:

• Practicing in front of a trusted group to get used to being seen
• Learning simple posture and breath tricks that calm the body
• Letting mistakes happen without needing to fix them right away

Early on, speaking in public can feel like a test. The more we practice in safe spaces, the more it feels like something you can handle. Feeling calm gets easier when it becomes part of the routine instead of the exception.

Reading the Room and Responding Naturally

Acting is rarely just about doing your job. It is about connection. Whether you are reading lines or sharing thoughts calmly, the way the audience responds affects how the moment plays out.

Knowing how to read people’s body language and adjust your tone can help respond in more real ways. You do not need to be perfect, just present. When you are tuned in, your instincts work better. These small skills help with that:

• Watching your audience to see how they react, and responding with honesty
• Holding still or using pause when needed, instead of filling space with words
• Making eye contact and small movements that show you are really listening

These habits are not about being more outgoing. They are about noticing what is happening in front of you and having the tools to adjust. This is useful in both a crowded theater and a quiet casting room.

Taking What You Learn into Every Role

It is easy to separate public speaking and acting, but the truth is, they feed each other. The more clearly you speak as yourself, the more natural your characters become. Words matter, but so do pace, tone, and small behaviors.

Good speaking habits work both on and off the set. They make performances feel more grounded. They also help during table reads, meetings, or on-camera moments where thinking on your feet is part of the job. These are a few ways we see this show up:

• Learning to use the same natural pacing in roles, instead of rushing scripts
• Bringing more honesty into character lines by trusting slow delivery
• Finding subtle rhythm in conversations, not just speaking to be heard

When actors learn to treat their real speaking voice as a tool, it opens up new ways to use it with purpose, both on screen and off.

Speak With Heart and Be Heard

Actors who spend time improving how they speak often find something else along the way. They feel more connected. Speaking publicly becomes less scary, and more like another way to share what is inside.

When you stop worrying about doing it right, you start finding your own way of speaking. That honest voice works everywhere: in an audition where emotions are high or in a filmed scene where the words are soft but full of meaning.

Public speaking is not just for giving formal talks. It is a way to prepare your voice and heart at the same time. Learning how to speak with calm, purpose, and care helps you be more tuned in, no matter who is watching.

At Michelle Danner Acting Studio, we help actors in Los Angeles, California, become more confident and natural communicators, whether in auditions, meetings, or on set. Our public speaking classes are designed to bring calm and clarity to your delivery with straightforward techniques you can apply right away. Whether you want to build new habits or refine your existing skills, reach out to us and discover how we can support your growth.