Chad, Not to beat a dead horse but i wanted to elaborate on what you have just written about projection. If an actor is auditioning for their break into the professional world and have not trained their voice to be "heard" they are in serious trouble. In theatre primarily a voice that can fill a space with what seems like little effort from the actor is music to a casting directors ears.

Almost anything else can be forgiven i.e. If your not a good cold reader, or you have trouble with your monologue in the audition. Like you explained an actor who cannot be heard is an actor who is not showing energy or professional chops. I was blessed with a decent ear and a very loud voice which I control well after years of training.

The one compliment I always get from audiences in less than glamourous gigs is that they really liked that they could hear every word I say. I would say that if you arent able to be heard in a speech then you probably cant be heard in song either. If you dont know how to use your voice properly then you must seek out some sort of voice production training.... this could even be from a book that will teach you how to open up your voice without straining it.

All this being said... there is a time when you need to bring the voice back a little but you should never do this unless you know that you are already reaching the back row.

Cheers, and thanks for the updates.
Adam