Differences between acting and public speaking: Psychological and communicative aspects of interacting with an audience
Differences between acting and public speaking: Psychological and communicative aspects of interacting with an audience

Summary/Abstract: The digitalisation of cultural space and the emergence of new formats of stage presence (online performances, streaming, interactive performances) require a rethinking of traditional approaches to interaction with the audience. The aim of the study was to identify the differences between acting and public speaking in order to improve the training of future actors. The study revealed fundamental differences between acting and public speaking in the context of interaction with the audience. It was established that an actor created artistic reality through psychophysical transformation into a character, working within the “fourth wall” system, while an orator conveyed their own position through structured argumentation and direct communication with the audience. The specifics of working with text have been revealed: an actor fully assimilated the dramatic material and “exists” in the image of the character, while an orator memorised key points, leaving room for improvisation and flexible response to the audience. A difference in the use of voice and body has been established: the actor’s words were born from the character’s inner actions, and the plasticity was fixed in the mise-en-scène, while the orator consciously controled their voice for impact, and gestures and movements were subordinated to the goal of effective communication. Differences in psychological mechanisms have been identified: the actor was in a state of double consciousness and developed empathy within the image, while the orator retained a holistic self-identification and directed emotional intelligence outward toward the audience. A typology of communicative situations has been developed based on four parameters: degree of conventionality, directionality, technological mediation, and temporal structure of communication. A system of six criteria for choosing interaction strategies has been substantiated: the goal of communication, identification of the performer, audience expectations, feedback opportunities, time constraints, and level of formality. It has been proven that the synthesis of acting and public speaking practices formed a universal performer-communicator capable of consciously choosing a strategy depending on the professional context. The proposed typology and system of criteria form the methodological basis for the development of integrated training programmes for performing arts specialists, combining acting and public speaking techniques for the effective adaptation of communicative behaviour to various situations in the modern cultural space.

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