I'm currently in an acting job which is exciting I'm usually a dancer and although I enjoy acting I don't get to do it much. This is a very short job just for December, a Christmas thing so only 10 days left now.
But I'm having to use a different voice to my natural one and it is putting a lot of strain on my voice - also because I'm not miced and have to project more than normal.
I work every day and especially on long days finish up being very husky and not having a lot of voice left, my character has more to say than the others but if I'm struggling especially towards the end someone else will take my lines to try and help out.

I'm worried that this could be doing serious damage to my voice, is it possible to develop nodules or some other vocal problem in this small space of time?

When I'm not working I rest it and only talk if I have to and once this job is finished I'll be able to rest it for a long time if necessary. Is there anything else I can do to help? I have strepsils but they don't really do much.

Thanks

Strepsils only mask the pain.

It's unlikely that this activity for this short period of time will do real lasting damage, but what it does it show you that your vocal technique is lacking and you are going to be more prone to vocal stress and damage unless you learn to project properly.

Breathe deeply into your core. As a ballet dancer, you're taught to constantly pull up, but actors need to be grounded. Feel like your voice and your breath is connected to the floor. I'd suggest that you have a couple of emergency lessons from a voice teacher or sessions with a speech therapist. Depending on the taxation law where you are, it is probably a tax deduction as well, as you are using your voice to earn money.

Helen

Fortunately I appear to have corrected the problem myself, I'm not sure how but today one of the others had to finish early as she lost her voice completely, and this made me realise that I'm no longer having any problems with my voice at all so I think I must have learnt to project properly. I agree that a vocal coach would be useful but unfortunately we work in the middle no-where and finding one would be an interesting task.

I realise this makes my job sound a weird one but I'm not really allowed to say what I do because people aren't supposed to know anyone works there. If I tell you that I finish on Christmas Eve you may figure it out though.