Own the Stage

As presenters, we often get to the front of the room and stay in virtually one spot for our entire presentation. Or we pace back and forth uncontrollably and the audience looks like they’re watching a tennis match. We can add energy and enthusiasm by using the whole stage in a planned way.

Here are a few tips on owning the stage while you’re presenting.

• Center stage, close to the audience is your power position. Start and end your presentation there. Move there when you have key points to make, something profound to say, or to give an answer to an important question.

• The right and left sides of center (B and C on the diagram) are less powerful positions, but you can use them well in certain situations. If you are giving some different options in your speech, move from B to A to C as you give each option. You can also use the same for timelines such as past, present and future.

• If your speech involves pros and cons, use B for the pros and C for the cons. The same format could be used if you’re discussing an issue that has extreme points of view versus middle of the road points of view. Use B and C for the extremes.

• If you’re telling a story, stand in B or C and move around in that area as you tell the story. You will come across as relaxed and your tone will be conversational. When the story is finished move back to A.

• For emphasis move even closer to the audience from B, A, or C. This can be intimidating for those sitting in the front row, so look somewhere else in the crowd and don’t stay there forever.

• If you are using slide projection with your speech, set the screen in either D or E position. Make sure you’re not blocking anyone’s view of the screen. If you want to have the audience look at something on the screen, step back and to the side of the screen. To gain back the audience’s attention from the slide, move forward on the stage.

Olivia Mitchell (www.speakingaboutpresenting.com) suggests you “choose one or two of these ideas to implement to begin with. If possible rehearse in the room that you’re presenting in so that you can integrate the movements you want to make.”

Owning the stage will give you confidence as moving helps dissipate nervous energy, will keep your audience more attentive, and will add energy and enthusiasm to your presentation. Try it out.

Mary Anthes is a retired business owner, speaker and a Distinguished Toastmaster. She can be reached at nmanthes@shaw.ca