In the few times I've had to speak I felt like I was looking through my eyes from 3 feet back. It's weird. One thing that always helps is to make eye contact with a few targets. You can move the targets but you do have to talk to the people, not at them.

One time I was speaking to around 50 folks at a funeral and I caught the eye of a surprise visitor. While not breaking cadence (I think) I looked at her and did a slight smile and nod while continuing with what was an ad lib. She smiled back and it was gravy from there on. Now I'm speaking to them, not at them. Almost speaking with them.

You all know how entertainers get the audience to participate. They're making a connection.