Can Stage Presence be Learned

What is stage presence? Can it be learned?

There are, undoubtedly, some ‘naturals’ in this field. The fine Welsh actor Richard Burton, for example, on his debut performance at 16, playing an extra scrubbing steps, was said to distract the audience from the Shakespearean play! Many actors commented on Burton’s extraordinary stage presence, in particular his stillness – the audience were drawn to him even when he was apparently doing nothing.

And herein lies a lesson. We never do ‘nothing’. Every moment of our lives is filled with interactions. Even lying asleep in bed, you adopt a position which reveals something about your inner state. Every moment, we transmit information about our motivations, concerns and anxieties.

So how do naturals like Richard Burton achieve such presence? How can we be drawn to a man saying nothing, not even moving? There are many ways of not moving. You may be exhaustedly still, not moving

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