Voice Therapy for Actors: Why You Keep Losing Your Voice and How Therapy Can Help
For actors, the voice is not just a tool — it is part of the performance itself. Yet many actors experience voice problems at some point in their career. Losing your voice after rehearsals, feeling tight or strained when acting, or noticing your voice become unreliable on stage are all common concerns. These difficulties often appear during periods of heavy rehearsal schedules, emotionally demanding roles, or long performance runs, and they can be worrying when your voice is central to your work. Understanding why voice instability happens — and knowing that specialist support is available — can be the first step towards protecting your voice and performing with greater confidence and ease.
Why do I keep losing my voice after rehearsals?
Actors often lose their voice after rehearsals because the voice is being used for long periods, at intensity, and often without enough recovery time. Rehearsals can involve repeated lines, emotional delivery, raised volume, and working in large or acoustically difficult spaces. When the voice is being produced ineffectively - with extra tension or poor breath support - this can make the voice hoarse. Online Voice therapy helps identify ways to improve how you use your voice to be more efficient and increasing stamina for long rehearsal days.
Why does my voice feel tight or strained when I act?
A tight or strained voice often comes from excess muscle tension around the larynx - that may lead to Muscle Tension Dysphonia. You may also experience tension in the jaw, neck, or shoulders. Trying to “push” the voice to be heard in ineffective ways. or to sound a certain way ( a pitch that is too high or low without training) can also contribute. Online Voice therapy helps actors reduce unnecessary tension and find a freer, more flexible voice that still meets the demands of the role.
Why does my voice get tired so quickly on stage?
Vocal fatigue happens when the voice is working harder than it needs to. This can be due to inefficient breath support, ineffective voice use, poor pacing, or lack of vocal warm-ups and cool-downs. Stage work is physically demanding, and if the voice isn’t supported well by the body and breath, it can tire quickly. Voice therapy helps build vocal stamina so your voice can last through rehearsals, performances, and long runs.
Why does my voice crack when I’m performing?
Voice cracking during performance can be caused by a mix of tension, fatigue, and changes in breath control. Nervousness can cause tension in the muscles around the voice box, making it harder for the vocal cords to work smoothly. Fatigue or dehydration can also affect voice control. Online Voice therapy supports steadier vocal control under pressure and helps actors maintain consistency even when emotions or nerves are high.
What is voice therapy for actors?
You may require Voice therapy due to a diagnosed Muscle Tension Dysphonia, losing your voice frequently after overuse, or a feeling of tension and effort when performing. Online Voice Therapy aims to reduce strain, fatigue, and injury. It is bespoke to you - It looks at how you use your voice in rehearsals and performances and helps you develop habits that protect and support your voice. Therapy is tailored to your work, roles, rehearsal schedule, and performance environment. The goal is to help your voice work reliably, comfortably, and sustainably. Our UK-based Expert Voice Therapists have expertise in voice coaching so they can improve your voice technique, clarity, pacing, and tone.
Can voice therapy help with projection without shouting?
Yes. Online Voice therapy is very effective in helping actors project safely in large environments such as theatres. Shouting strains the voice and increases the risk of voice loss. Voice Therapy focuses on using breath, resonance, and posture so your voice carries naturally without force. Good projection should feel strong but comfortable, not effortful or painful.
Can voice therapy help me stop losing my voice?
Yes. One of the main reasons actors seek voice therapy is repeated voice loss. Therapy helps by identifying patterns that overload the voice and replacing them with more efficient strategies. It also supports recovery, prevention, and long-term vocal resilience. Many actors find that voice therapy helps them trust their voice again and feel more confident taking on demanding roles.
Your voice is part of your craft and your livelihood. If your voice feels unreliable, tired, or strained, voice therapy can help you protect it, strengthen it, and use it with confidence, so it supports your performance rather than limiting it.
Why should I choose The Speech Network for voice therapy and vocal coaching?
Expert Voice therapist with stage experience: Our voice therapist is an actress who performed for 10 years in the West End, providing insight that bridges therapy and performance.
Our UK-based private voice therapists are all Clinical Specialists in Voice, each with a minimum of 12 years’ experience.
All our therapists are fully registered and accredited, including:
Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP)
Members of the British Voice Association
Our private voice therapy team is highly rated, with outstanding 5-star Google reviews and recognition as a 2024 Quality Business Award winner.
Specialist Training & Accreditation
Our private voice therapists are accredited in:Myofascial Release manual therapy
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD®)
Advanced Laryngeal Manipulation
Our UK based Private Voice Therapists are Clinical Specialists in Voice with a minimum of 15 years experience Specialising in Voice Therapy. Book a free 15 minute consultation or email us at thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com to enquire about our reasonable fees for Voice Therapy.