One of the things I learned about as a young performer was the concept of the fourth wall; it refers to the invisible barrier between the audience and the actors on stage, creating a sense of separation and distance so that audiences can immerse themselves in the story and suspend their disbelief.
While the audience can see through this ‘wall’, the convention assumes the actors act as if they cannot. If an actor is playing a role in a play, they are aware of the fourth wall, but the aim is to never cross it by looking into the auditorium, unless the play specifically calls for it. By ‘breaking’ the fourth wall, the character is acknowledging the audience's presence and inviting them to participate in the performance in a more active way (pantomime is a classic example of this).
During a recent conversation with author and speaker Matt Black about his forthcoming book, How to Change the World, we were discussing how certain stagecraft practices used by performers can be utilised when delivering a presentation.
These methods include using the element of performance to elevate the message and engage people’s heart and minds, using body language and vocal delivery to convey emotion and meaning, and adapting your delivery based on an awareness of the reactions of your audience.
The stage presence techniques I learned through my background as a performer are certainly very helpful when engaging audiences. But acting in a play or film is a very different experience to giving a presentation. In many ways it can feel more scary. In the early days of delivering talks and training sessions I felt much more vulnerable giving a presentation than I did when I appeared on stage ‘behind’ the fourth wall.
Fortunately, I was able to incorporate other techniques I learned as a performer to manage my nerves, become fully present and show who I am. Because when you are delivering a presentation, sharing your authentic self is one of the keys to building trust and rapport with your audience.
Crossing the fourth wall by speaking directly with your audience or asking questions encourages participation, increases engagement and creates a more collaborative and interactive environment, which helps audiences to open their minds to your message.
So, when delivering a speech or presentation, it’s certainly useful to apply performance techniques from the world of theatre, but make sure you’re not putting a metaphorical wall between you and your audience!
Have you considered the concept of the fourth wall and how consciously crossing it to connect with your audience could elevate your presentations to the next level?
If you need help with any aspect of your presentation skills, especially if you’d like to learn some performance and stage presence techniques to help you improve your delivery, get in touch at mel@melsherwood.com and we can arrange a chat about how I could best support you.
Mel Sherwood is a Pitch and Presentation Specialist and Founder of The RED Effect™. She works with business leaders, teams and individuals who want to express themselves with confidence, credibility and charisma. An Australian now based in Scotland, Mel is an award-winning speaker, trainer and coach and combines over 25 years’ experience in business with a background as an actor, presenter and singer.