Acting and singing are often thought of as separate disciplines, but they share more in common than most people realize. For actors, singing isn’t just a bonus skill—it can be a game-changer.
“Whether you’re auditioning for a musical, preparing for a dramatic monologue, or simply looking to strengthen your abilities,” says actor and singer Vic Mignogna. “Adding singing to your acting training offers tangible advantages.”
We talked with Vic about the many benefits for actors of incorporating singing into their skillset. Let’s explore why singing deserves a spot in every actor’s toolkit.
1. Improved Vocal Control and Range
Acting is as much about vocal performance as it is about physical presence. Your voice carries the story, conveys emotion, and grabs the audience’s attention. Singing trains the voice in ways that typical acting exercises can’t. It forces you to focus on breath control, vocal strength, and precision. By practicing singing, you’ll develop better control over volume, tone, and pitch, which translates seamlessly into your acting work.
Take breath support, for instance. Singing requires steady and intentional breathing, especially when holding long notes or transitioning between phrases. This skill naturally improves projection, which is critical for both stage and screen performances. When your voice carries effortlessly across a theater or resonates clearly on a microphone, your audience stays engaged.
Singing also expands your vocal range. Actors who sing regularly often discover they can access vocal registers they didn’t even know they had. This doesn’t just help with musical roles—it’s also an advantage for character work. Whether you’re portraying a gruff antagonist or a soft-spoken protagonist, a wider vocal range allows for more nuanced performances.
Plus, practicing singing teaches vocal endurance. Acting in a full-length play or long film shoot can strain the voice, especially when intense scenes require yelling or emotional outbursts. A trained singing voice is less likely to fatigue, ensuring you can maintain consistency throughout rehearsals and performances.
2. Enhanced Emotional Expression
Singing is a powerful emotional outlet, and this translates directly to acting. Think about it: songs often deal with intense feelings like love, loss, and hope, requiring the performer to connect deeply with the material. Learning to sing helps actors access and convey emotions in a raw, honest way that resonates with audiences. As Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said, “Music is the universal language of mankind.”
One of the biggest takeaways from singing is vulnerability. When you sing, you expose a part of yourself that’s deeply personal. This kind of emotional honesty is essential for actors, who need to inhabit their characters fully and make their emotions believable. Singing strengthens this connection, making it easier to deliver lines with conviction. An added benefit? Studies show that singing offers health benefits, like stress relief.
Singing also encourages a deeper understanding of emotional nuance. A song’s dynamics—how the volume, tone, and tempo shift—mirror the subtleties of human emotion. Actors who sing become more attuned to these nuances, allowing them to layer complexity into their performances. They learn how to modulate their voice to reflect a range of feelings, from restrained anger to overwhelming joy.
Also consider how music and lyrics often go hand in hand with storytelling, which is the foundation of acting. Singing teaches you how to tell a story through your voice, even without dialogue. This skill is useful in silent moments or when subtext is key. Think about how impactful a single look or word can be when supported by the emotional depth you’ve gained from singing.
3. Greater Opportunities in Musical Theater and Film
The entertainment industry is competitive, and actors who can sing often find themselves with more doors open. Musical theater, for example, is a thriving sector that regularly requires performers who can act, sing, and sometimes even dance. While not every actor dreams of Broadway, the ability to sing can make you a stronger contender for these roles.
In film, too, singing can give you an edge. From biopics about musicians to dramas featuring musical numbers, plenty of movies benefit from actors who can carry a tune. Just look at stars like Hugh Jackman, who seamlessly transitions between dramatic and musical performances. Directors and casting agents value versatility, and being able to sing is a skill that sets you apart.
Even outside of musicals, singing experience can enhance your audition game. A trained singing voice stands out in cold readings or monologues that require vocal variety. It’s also worth noting that many roles require some level of singing, even in non-musical settings. Background characters in a scene at a karaoke bar, for example, or a protagonist singing a lullaby can be cast more easily if you’re comfortable with your voice.
Lastly, many casting calls specifically seek “triple threats” who can act, sing, and dance. While becoming a triple threat takes effort, it can open up opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t be available. And even if you’re not auditioning for musicals, having that extra skill on your resume demonstrates your commitment to growth as a performer.
4. Builds Confidence and Stage Presence
Confidence is key in acting, and singing can help you build it in ways that go beyond the voice. Performing songs requires focus, poise, and the ability to engage an audience. The skills you develop as a singer naturally improve your stage presence as an actor, making you more comfortable in front of a crowd.
Singing forces you to step outside your comfort zone. Whether it’s hitting a high note or performing live, singing challenges you to take risks. Over time, those risks build self-assurance. Actors who sing regularly report feeling more at ease during auditions and performances, where nerves can often get the better of them.
In addition to confidence, singing teaches you how to hold an audience’s attention. Great singers use their posture, gestures, and facial expressions to complement their voice. These non-verbal cues are equally important in acting. By practicing singing, you’ll become more aware of your body language and how it influences your overall performance.
Stage presence is also about authenticity, and singing helps you connect with your audience on a deeper level. When you sing with emotion and conviction, you draw people in. The ability to establish that connection is just as vital for actors, whether you’re delivering a soliloquy or reacting to another character’s lines.
5. Develops Rhythm, Timing, and Musicality
Acting, much like singing, requires a strong sense of rhythm and timing. Whether you’re delivering a line, moving across the stage, or reacting to a co-star, rhythm is crucial. Singing trains these skills in a structured way, helping you become more precise and deliberate in your acting.
Rhythm in singing is about more than just staying on beat. It involves understanding pacing, pauses, and the flow of a piece. These same principles apply to acting. For example, comedic timing relies heavily on knowing when to pause and when to deliver. Singing hones this awareness, making you more adept at hitting the right moments in your performance.
Timing is also essential in collaborative work. In both singing and acting, you need to be in sync with others, whether it’s your bandmates or fellow cast members. Singing in groups or ensembles strengthens your ability to work as part of a team while maintaining your own individuality. This skill translates to acting scenes, where chemistry and coordination with others are key.
Lastly, singing enhances your musicality, which benefits all performers, even in non-musical roles. Musicality involves understanding patterns, flow, and dynamics in any performance. Actors with strong musicality often have a natural rhythm to their speech and movement, making their performances more captivating and believable.
Final Thoughts
Adding singing to your acting training isn’t just about learning a new skill; it’s about deepening your craft and expanding your possibilities as a performer. From vocal control to emotional expression, the benefits are real and impactful. So why not give it a try? You might be surprised at how much it transforms your acting.
Published by Zane L.
