Mirror Neurons, Coughing Audiences, and a Russian Teacher’s Wisdom
Years ago, when I was still a student at the National Theatre of Greece Acting Academy, I participated in a masterclass that remains vivid in my memory. The head of the department of voice from GITIS, the renowned acting academy in Moscow, was invited to lead an intensive two-week workshop. Those were two of the most fascinating weeks in our school, filled with profound insights and a deeper understanding of the craft.
One day, this remarkable woman stood before our class—short in height but with a gaze as tall as her spirit—and posed a question none of us expected. "Have you ever noticed the coughing of the audience during a show?" she asked. Coughing? What does the flu have to do with acting or voice, I thought?
She continued, "It happens every time an actor pushes too much tension into their throat, their larynx. When their voice strains, the audience starts coughing. They cannot help it. Their bodies mirror the tension they perceive. They cough to release it this tension.
"Next time you go to the theatre and see an actor pushing too much, check the audience's reactions," she said. And she was so right!
Mirroring: The Science in the Story
At the time, we didn't fully grasp the depth of what she was saying, but the lesson stayed with me. Years later, I kept trying to understand the science behind her observation and searched for publications on Google Scholar that might explain the phenomenon.
The key lies in mirror neurons, a discovery in neuroscience that explains why we unconsciously mimic the actions, emotions, and even physical states of others.
When an actor strains their throat on stage, it's not just their voice the audience hears—it's the tension that resonates with them. Mirror neurons fire, translating what is observed into a shared experience. The audience doesn't consciously decide to cough; their bodies instinctively react, attempting to release the tension they've absorbed from the actor. At the time, we didn't fully grasp the depth of what she was saying, but the lesson stayed with me. Years later, I kept trying to understand the science behind her observation and searched for publications on Google Scholar that might explain the phenomenon.
The Invisible Connection Between Speaker & Audience
Communication is not just about words or gestures but energy, tension, and an exchange of physical and emotional states.
The audience doesn't merely observe a speaker or an actor; they experience them. When an actor or a speaker is relaxed and grounded on stage, the audience mirrors that ease. But when they carry unnecessary strain or tension, the audience feels it too—often physically.
Scientific studies on emotional contagion and neural coupling support this idea. Research shows that effective communication creates synchronization between the speaker's and listener's brain activity. This "neural resonance" helps audiences understand and feel what the speaker—or actor—is conveying. However, the flip side is equally valid: a performer's tension, stress, and discomfort are unconsciously mirrored by their audience.
The Invisible Thread
What the teacher shared with us that day was far more than a curious observation. It opened a window into the invisible thread that connects people during any act of communication. While theatre amplifies this connection, it exists everywhere—in conversations, presentations, and casual interactions.
Our physical and emotional states are contagious and influence how others respond to us. The coughing audience in that masterclass wasn't merely releasing their tension but imparting a profound truth: communication is never just about words. It's about what we express with our entire being.
I often wonder where that amazing woman who taught us so much is today. Her lessons continue to resonate in my work, and I feel immense gratitude for meeting her, even for that brief period. The Russian teacher with the piercing gaze serves as a powerful reminder of the power of our presence when we reach out to communicate.
🧠 Want to learn more about mirror neurons? Check out neuroscientist Vilayanur Ramachandran’s fascinating TED talk!
For those of you who enjoy reading science papers, dive deeper into the research:
Gallese, V., & Goldman, A. (1998). Mirror neurons and the simulation theory of mind-reading. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 2(12), 493-501.
Preston, S. D., & de Waal, F. B. M. (2002). Empathy: Its ultimate and proximate bases. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 25(1), 1-20.
Ekstrom, K. (2022). Empathy and the role of mirror neurons. Regis University Theses.
Gallese, V. (2009). Mirror neurons, embodied simulation, and the neural basis of social identification. Psychoanalytic Dialogues, 19(5), 519-536.
Behavioral Sciences Editorial Board. (2023). Empathy modulates the activity of the sensorimotor mirror neuron system. Behavioral Sciences, 13(11), 947.
