Public Speaking? In This Economy?

Written by Miha Palancha. Graphic by Miha Palancha.

Let’s face it: “Public Speaking” sounds about as fun as watching paint dry, except the paint is your self-esteem slowly peeling away. But for SCAD students, it’s COMM105, and it’s mandatory. It used to be a senior-panic situation, like, “Oh, I need this to graduate?” But now, they’re snatching us up as freshmen. My advisor put me in this class in my first quarter! It’s like the early bird gets the worm, except the worm is… confidence? In hindsight, taking it in quarter one might be the best thing I’ve done.

“It’s something that has evolved particularly over the last 5 or 6 years,” Professor Lancaster began. “It used to be that fall and winter quarters were pretty much mixed with about one half 1st year students and the other half senior students. Now, student success advisors are putting them in COMM105 earlier, which makes me very, very happy.”

And speaking of early, forget about hiding behind a screen. Professor Lancaster is a firm believer in the live experience. “I think definitely in person,” he asserted. “When you’re alone and recording a speech, you’re alone with your fears and your anxieties. In the classroom setting, you start to get to know the people in the room. Smiling faces that look at you and give you confidence as you speak.”

Why early? Ultimately, everything you do in university returns to a few core things, including the ability to talk about your art,” he explained. “But you can be the best artist in the world. But if you cannot talk about your art, and reach out to people, and pitch your art, there’s no point.” Plus, research? Turns out, it’s vital. “Research is essential, whether you’re doing it on a database or you’re going to the farmers market and talking to the vendors.”

But can ten weeks really turn a nervous wreck into a suave speaker? “Very anxious to very confident? No,” he clarified. “But from being very frightened to being able to complete a public presentation? For sure. But once you’ve completed it, you’ve learned you can do it.”

Now, let’s dive into those student fears. Here are some questions SCAD students were too scared to ask their professors.

Miha Palancha: Professor Lancaster, what happens if a student totally bombs a speech? Does that mean they fail the class?

Kelly Lancaster: “No, because in none of our classes do you have a situation where your entire grade is rooted in one speech. We know, especially early on, we have students with anxiety. We manage it. Ultimately, everyone finishes their speech before leaving the room.”

MP: Have you seen students actually cry during presentations?

KL: “A couple of times. There have been times when a student gets up there and they get so frazzled. We give them a chance to restart it. Sometimes, we let them catch a breath, the next person goes ahead, and we come back to them.”

MP: What’s the best hack for sounding confident, even when you’re internally panicking?

KL: “Speak slower. It gives what you’re saying a sense of gravitas. It makes you sound more confident. It makes you sound more collected.”

MP: Do students need to be good at public speaking before taking the class?

KL: “No, absolutely not.

MP: What advice do you have for “theater kids” worried about unlearning ingrained habits?

KL: “Take on the character of someone who has no public speaking background at all. But you’ve got something you want to share with someone. And you do so slowly and deliberately, thoughtfully, carefully.”

MP: Lastly, what’s the optimal time for a public speaking class?

KL: “Find the time that you are at your peak. I think that’s the best time to take, but also the best time to take public speaking. I think a Tuesday, Thursday schedule is best.”

For post-class practice, Professor Lancaster suggests spontaneous speaking, and he always advises, “Think, how would I describe this to someone at a gallery? How would I describe this to a producer?”

Now: the humor question. “If you’re going to throw some humor in your speech and are uncertain about the audience, avoid it,” he warned. “If you do know the audience, make professionally appropriate jokes.”

So, there you have it. COMM105: less scary, more “slightly terrifying but manageable.” And remember folks, slow down, keep it clean, and pretend you’re not picturing everyone in their underwear. Mostly.