5. PACE VARIATION DRILLS
Young actors often perform everything at one speed.
Exercise A: Speed Ladder
Use: "Today was the worst day of my life."
Say it:

• Extremely slow
• Slow
• Conversational
• Fast
• Extremely fast

Then ask: "When was it most effective?"

Exercise B: Emotional Pace
Read a monologue:

• As if hiding a secret.
• As if racing against time.
• As if comforting a child.
• As if trying not to explode.

Discover how pace is connected to circumstances.

Exercise C: Pause Hunting
Perform a speech for someone. Have them raise a hand anytime they need a pause.

• Actor must stop.
• Take a breath.
• Continue.

This teaches that thoughts need room to land.