Communication sits at the heart of good acting. It is there in the way a performer listens, responds, shares an idea, holds a pause and understands another person’s point of view. In this episode of The Drama Coach podcast, Lisa Southam is joined by Georgie Ross, Director of Teaching and Learning at the Oracy Group, to explore why oracy matters not only for young actors, but for parents, teachers and adult learners too. Georgie brings a background in drama teaching and a deep interest in helping young people express themselves with clarity and confidence. Her work in schools has focused on introducing oracy programmes, supporting teachers with dialogic teaching, and helping young people develop the communication skills they need for life beyond the classroom.
What is oracy?
Georgie describes oracy in a simple and useful way: it is the ability to express yourself confidently and clearly, while also listening well. That second part is important. Oracy is not just about speaking more, speaking louder or sounding impressive. It is about meaningful communication. For young performers, this links directly to the craft of acting. An actor needs to understand another person’s perspective, listen carefully, respond truthfully and communicate meaning. Those same skills are valuable in school, at home, in friendships, in auditions, in interviews and eventually in the workplace. Lisa and Georgie discuss how schools can build a rich oracy culture by making talk purposeful. Instead of simply asking students to “go and discuss”, teachers can give structure, roles and ground rules so young people learn how to have better conversations. This helps students practise speaking, listening, debating and resolving differences with more confidence.
Why communication skills matter beyond drama
One of the strongest themes in the conversation is that drama skills are life skills. Georgie explains that employers and graduates themselves are increasingly recognising gaps in communication, leadership, conflict resolution and public speaking. These are not only useful for actors. They matter in almost every path a young person may take. Lisa reflects on the different “masks” we all use in life. We may communicate differently with family, friends, teachers, casting teams or colleagues. Drama gives young people a safe place to explore those shifts, to understand different viewpoints and to practise expressing ideas with thought and care. The episode also considers resilience. For young performers, rejection and uncertainty can be part of the experience. Good conversations, debating and listening to different views can help young people develop the confidence to process difficult moments, take the positives and advocate for themselves.
Practical ideas for parents and young people
Georgie offers several simple ways families can support oracy at home without making it feel formal or pressured. One of the most powerful is learning to be comfortable with silence. Adults often rush to fill gaps or expect an immediate answer, but young people sometimes need space to think before they respond. Dinner tables, car journeys and walks can all become low-pressure places for conversation. Lisa notes that some of the best conversations with young people happen when everyone is looking forwards rather than sitting opposite each other. There is less pressure, and the talk can feel more natural.
- Try short conversation starters at dinner or during a journey.
- Ask a young person to talk about their day in 60 seconds.
- Let children choose three topics they would like to discuss during the week.
- Give people roles in a mini debate, such as supporter, opposer or mediator.
- Use character-based questions to help young actors explore a role more deeply.
These exercises do not need to be complicated. The aim is to build habits of speaking, listening, pausing and responding. For actors, the same ideas can be used in character work. A young performer might answer questions as their character, explore a different opinion, or practise explaining what their character wants and why.
Phones, technology and conversation
The discussion also touches on phones and technology. Georgie points out that young people may communicate through long voice notes, which can be useful in some ways, but does not always develop the skill of two-way conversation. At the same time, phones can be helpful tools for young actors, especially for self-tapes, voice recording, line learning and listening back. The key idea is balance. Rather than seeing technology as only a problem, families and schools can help young people use it well while still protecting space for real conversation. Georgie also links oracy with wellbeing, suggesting that when young people can articulate what they are experiencing, they are better placed to talk about feeling overwhelmed or unsure.
Confidence, pace and practice
In the quick-fire section, Georgie gives practical advice that applies beautifully to actors and public speakers. She suggests that one of the best ways to come across clearly and confidently is to think about pace. Speaking clearly and slowly gives the listener time to absorb what is being said. She also encourages young people to practise in different spaces. A monologue, speech or audition piece can be taken into different rooms, outside, or even performed to an imagined audience. This helps young performers become less thrown by unfamiliar spaces and different acoustics.
“Oracy is the ability to express yourself confidently, clearly, and also to listen well.”
Real confidence, Georgie suggests, is connected to knowing your worth and being well prepared. For actors, that means being rehearsed enough to walk into a room with assurance, while still being able to listen, adapt and be yourself. This conversation is a thoughtful reminder that drama education offers far more than performance skills alone. It helps young people find their voice, listen to others, understand character, handle challenge and communicate with confidence. Whether your young person dreams of acting professionally or simply enjoys drama as part of their life, oracy is a skill worth nurturing - one conversation at a time.