Vocal Hygiene for Musical Theater Performers

Musical theatre performers, in addition to singing, also have the taxing responsibilities of acting and dancing. It is important for musical theatre performers to understand vocal hygiene to protect themselves. These performers are different from other professional voice users, and many precautions should be taken due to those differences.

Authored by Anne Koziara | Advisor: Dr. Ron Scherer | Bowling Green State University Honors College
Adapted and hosted by the National Center for Voice and Speech with acknowledgement to the original author.

The guidance below is organized around five focus areas every musical theatre performer should understand: preventing vocal overuse, medical care, nutrition and hydration, environmental awareness, and technique. Numbered superscripts throughout the page refer to the full citations list at the bottom.

Preventing Overuse

Limit the amount of time singing.
Over-scheduling may be overtaxing and may prevent adequate rest.
Thinking “the show must go on” may lead to vocal overuse.
Clearing your throat, yelling, screaming, talking extensively, and singing without breaks may damage the vocal folds.
Talking loudly in noisy environments (known as the Lombard effect) can be dangerous to the vocal folds.

Medical Care

Consult with a health professional before using excessive amounts of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.), as they can have drying effects.
Know your allergies and take appropriate medication.
Consult an ENT when there is sudden onset of hoarseness, huskiness, etc.
Consult an ENT if you think you may have reflux laryngitis.

Nutrition and Hydration

Hydrate adequately. Start with eight 8 oz glasses a day, but base water needs on temperature, altitude, body build, metabolism, clothing, physical activity, and other environmental or physiological factors.
Consume more sodium, potassium, chloride, and magnesium than the average person — along with an abundance of fluids — if you are dancing under hot lights and wearing heavy costumes.
Consult with a health professional regarding taking medicines, herbs, or supplements.
Do not use teas or cough drops that contain menthol, eucalyptus, or benzocaine prior to singing; these products numb the vocal tract to the point where one cannot feel soreness.
Consuming caffeine and alcohol in excess may produce drying effects.
Consuming dairy products and chocolate may alter mucus viscosity, promoting cough in some individuals.

Environmental

Do not ignore the effects of pyrotechnics; pyrotechnics can cause respiratory and eye irritation, allergies, and long-term lung problems.
Breathing moist air (humidifiers) may be helpful to maintain healthy mucosa.
Know the contact information for medical professionals in arts medicine in the cities you are in. See americansforthearts.org for references by location.

Technique

Practice good posture and alignment to optimize vocal health, expression, and function.
Be prepared to perform up to 8 shows a week.
Choose part-time jobs wisely — these jobs could be too taxing on the voice.
Receive both voice and speech training to easily switch between speaking and singing. Both a voice teacher and vocal coach can help with these tasks.

Citations

Benninger, Michael S., et al. Vocal Arts Medicine: The Care and Prevention of Professional Voice Disorders. Thieme Medical Publishers, 1994.
Cazden, Joanna. “Singers’ Guide to Throat Lozenges.” Joanna Cazden’s Voice Therapy, Training, and Healing Services. www.joannacazden.com/a-vocalists-guide-to-throat-lozenges/.
“Check Your Meds: Do They Affect Your Voice?” The National Center for Voice and Speech, 2015. www.ncvs.org/rx_all_meds.php.
DeVore, Kate, and Starr Cookman. The Voice Book: Caring for, Protecting, and Improving Your Voice. Chicago Review Press, 2009.
Gaskill, Chris, and Allison Hetzel. “Managing ‘Vocal Dose’ and the Acting Voice: How Much Is Too Much?” Voice and Speech Review, vol. 11, no. 3, 2017, pp. 262–278.
Lafontan, M., et al. “Water and Hydration: Physiological Basis in Adults.” Hydration for Health, 2012. www.h4hinitiative.com/hydration-science/hydration-lab/water-and-hydration-physiological-basis-adults/introduction.
Linklater, Kristin. Freeing the Natural Voice: Imagery and Art in the Practice of Voice and Language. Drama, 2007.
Mates, Julian. America’s Musical Stage: Two Hundred Years of Musical Theatre. Praeger, 1987.
Phyland, Debra J., et al. “Perspectives on the Impact on Vocal Function of Heavy Vocal Load Among Working Professional Music Theater Performers.” Journal of Voice, vol. 27, no. 3, 2013.
Rootberg, Ruth. “Clavicular Breathing, Held Shoulders and Related Issues: A Round Table Discussion.” Voice and Speech Review, vol. 3, no. 1, 2003, pp. 278–295. doi:10.1080/23268263.2003.10739415.
Sataloff, Robert T. Professional Voice: The Science and Art of Clinical Care, vol. 2. Plural, 2005.
Sataloff, Robert T. Vocal Health and Pedagogy: Advanced Assessment and Treatment, vol. 2. Plural Publishing, 2006.
Scherer, Ron. “Professional Voice Users Interview.” 27 Feb. 2019.
Searl, Jeff, and Erika Bailey. “Vocal Behaviors of Student Actors and Student Speech-Language Pathologists.” Voice and Speech Review, vol. 8, no. 1, 2013, pp. 5–26.
Stemple, Joseph C. “Column Issues of Vocal Health.” Voice and Speech Review, vol. 1, no. 1, 2000, pp. 233–238.
Wilson, Pat H. “Act, Sing, Speak: Voice in the World of Theatre.” Voice and Speech Review, vol. 7, no. 1, 2011, pp. 298–304.

Acknowledgements

This resource was authored by Anne Koziara as an Honors College project at Bowling Green State University, under the advisement of Dr. Ron Scherer.

Dr. Lesa Lockford — Secondary Advisor
Amanda Kay Carter — Tertiary Advisor
Bowling Green State University Honors College

© Anne Koziara. Content adapted for the web and hosted by the National Center for Voice and Speech. For comments or suggestions regarding the original work, contact [email protected].