too little) awkward...?

Question:I'm in Brighton Beach Memoirs, playing Eugene, an excited, 1937, pre-pubescent boy. I need to be really excited for almost the whole play... but it feels awkward to speak v-e-r-y c-l-e-a-r-l-y when I'm trying to be super excited... does anyone have any advice? I want to be clear, but not robotic. (This is my first production, so anything broad will help, too.)
Thanks!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I'm in Brighton Beach Memoirs, playing Eugene, an excited, 1937, pre-pubescent boy. I need to be really excited for almost the whole play... but it feels awkward to speak v-e-r-y c-l-e-a-r-l-y when I'm trying to be super excited... does anyone have any advice? I want to be clear, but not robotic. (This is my first production, so anything broad will help, too.)
Thanks!

In fact, some people speak more clearly when excited. The energy can be in many different places -- put it in your body, not your mouth. Fast does not always equal urgent.

Think of a way to say something like this:

"Listen to me! Do exactly as I tell you or we will all die in the next 30 seconds."

with perfect diction. Experiment. You can do it.

As a young actor, I would suggest that if you are being asked to speak clearly that it is precisely because you are not being understood. It would probably be a wiser decision to apply your efforts to being clearly understood. As the character, use the need to be understood by your family and friends be the impetus to control your excitement. As a rehearsal or training process, what at first may seem robotic will with practice and skill will become natural and comfortable.