Acting for radio

One of the main differences between a stage actor and a radio actor is that a radio actor relies on voice to convey character, whereas a stage actor also uses body, space, and movement.

In the use of voice, the advantage for the radio drama actor is that there is no need to project. The listener is only a short distance away from the actor via the microphone and radio speaker. A stage actor cannot always use a natural voice. A whispered conversation must still be audible to the audience. However, a radio actor can make more natural use of voice.

A radio actor must have the same clear picture of their role as a stage actor. Even if the radio actor is not in costume for the performance, the actor should have a clear image of what he/she would be wearing, how they would move and stand, what sort of gestures and facial expression he/she would use to portray the character.

The radio actor must then convey these ideas to the audience through their voice alone. A radio actor may still use gesture and facial expression to help with characterisation. A radio actor may not act out the lines that they are saying, but he/she must still interpret them for the audience.

Actors in a radio drama need to have contrasting voices so that an audience can tell one character from another. Actors need to think about how the character's voice will sound and what the listener will learn about the character and the action in the play from the voice.