This seems like the most basic of all acting tips. You might be surprised how many times I have to yell this particular direction to an actor.
Your job as an actor is to illuminate the words of the playwright. If the audience can’t hear the words, the words aren’t very illuminated are they?
While I could (and I probably will) write an entire chapter on vocal production and how to project, the purpose here is to reinforce the point of projection. Normal speech should be loud to you on stage, whispers should sound like normal speech, and shouts… well, shouts should sound like you’re trying to talk over a passing subway train.
Don’t wuss out on the projection. Start early on in your career learning how to project in a healthy manner. It’s another (basic, yet important) tool in your acting kit.
Don’t ever make a director tell you to project when that is something you have complete control over.
