Last week I went to see one of my favorite Broadway shows at a local theater. Something was missing. The set was awesome! The costumes were great! It was a full cast! Something was off!? Anyone who spends time in theatre has experienced it. The actors say all the right words. They move to the right places. The show looks polished and well-rehearsed. Yet somehow… it feels hollow. The same thing can happen in Speech and Debate!!
What’s missing?
Often the difference comes down to three very different approaches to speaking lines: reciting, performing, and feeling.
Reciting: Saying the Words
Reciting is the most basic level of delivering a speech. The actor has memorized the lines and is able to say them correctly and clearly. The words come out in the right order, the pacing is reasonable, and the volume can be heard.
But something important is missing.
When someone is reciting, the focus is usually on remembering the words rather than communicating the meaning. The speech may sound mechanical or rehearsed. The actor might look like they’re searching their memory instead of living in the moment.
Reciting often happens when actors are still unsure of their lines, nervous about forgetting something, or thinking too hard about technique. The audience hears the speech, but they don’t necessarily feel anything from it.
In short:
Reciting tells the audience what the words are.
Performing: Showing the Words
Performing is the next step. At this stage, the actor understands the character and intentionally adds expression, movement, and vocal variety. They might use gestures, emphasize certain words, or change their tone to communicate emotion.
This is much stronger than reciting. The actor is now presenting the speech rather than just remembering it.
However, performing can sometimes fall into its own trap: demonstrating emotions rather than experiencing them. An actor might show what sadness, anger, or excitement is supposed to look like, but the audience senses that it is somewhat external or rehearsed.
It’s like watching someone imitate emotion instead of truly being affected by the moment.
In short:
Performing tells the audience how the character should feel.
Feeling: Living the Words
The most powerful stage moments happen when an actor moves beyond performing and begins feeling the speech.
This doesn’t mean the actor is actually becoming the character in a literal sense. Instead, it means they are fully connected to the character’s objective, circumstances, and emotional truth.
When an actor feels the speech:
- The words seem to be discovered in the moment, not remembered.
- The emotions appear natural and spontaneous.
- The actor listens and reacts to other characters instead of waiting for their turn to talk.
- The speech feels like real communication, not a presentation.
- Sighs, interjections can be audibly heard.
In these moments, the audience forgets they are watching a play. They stop noticing technique and begin experiencing the story. This is the magic of theatre… but you can also experience this magic in a well done speech… whether its a interp, limited prep, or platform speech! We are all human. And humans have emotions and feelings… don’t be afraid to use them! Because this is what will or can ultimately CONNECT you with your audience or judge!!
In short:
Feeling lets the audience experience the moment with the character.
Why It Matters
Audiences rarely remember perfect diction or flawless memorization. What they remember are the moments that made them laugh, cry, or feel something deeply. The difference between a good performance and a memorable one is often emotional authenticity. Great acting isn’t just about saying the words correctly. It’s about believing them enough that the audience believes them too.
The Goal for Speakers
You should always aim to move through these three stages:
- Memorize the words so you don’t have to think about them.
- Understand the speech so you can perform it clearly.
- Connect emotionally so the words become real!!
When that happens, a speech stops being a recitation and becomes a living moment on stage. And that’s when you will truly come alive.
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Heather Neumann is a playwright, director, and speech coach passionate about helping stories come alive on stage. She has written numerous stage adaptations of classic literature and meaningful stories for the stage, including speech competitions. Her most recent publication is Light in the Darkness, inspired by Les Misérables. You can see some of her work in the SHOP – under SCRIPTS.
Through her work in theatre and speech, Heather has coached thousands of speech students, helping them develop confidence, strong communication skills, and a love for storytelling. She believes theatre is a powerful tool for building character, creativity, and empathy, and she is passionate about using the stage to inspire truth, hope, and purpose in the next generation.