simple choreography for your mouth--even if it has two left feet!

 

VOICE

SPEECH & DICTION

REGIONAL DIALECTS

FOREIGN ACCENTS

PERIOD PIECES

 
 

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Looking to make your next production more authentic? More believable? I've worked with hundreds of actors, and would love to work with you! My approach is simple, tangible, and FUN!! It incorporates what the actor sees and feels—rather than solely focusing on what the actor hears and imitates (often inaccurately). I do not use the confusing abstract concepts many speech methods do. Principles are learned physically rather than memorized mentally. This ensures improved intelligibility, retention, consistency, and believability, as well as expanded acting choices—something you just can’t get from listening alone! I'd love to work with you on your next acting or public speaking project, assist you in mastering multiple accents/dialects, or just help you improve your overall speech!

COACHING OPTIONS

 

Coaching sessions are currently offered:

online via video chat (FaceTime, Zoom or Skype)

 
 

INDIVIDUAL ACTORS

Private one-on-one coaching for individual actors offered on a short-term or ongoing basis. Learn one or more accents/dialects.

 

PRIVATE COACHING OPTIONS:

  • Need lightning fast assistance? Have a last minute audition with only a few lines? With the Quick Skim Option, you'll learn only the accent/dialect vocal changes needed for your specific script. The goal is for you to sound as believable as possible when speaking your scripted lines.

  • Need to prepare for an upcoming audition or role requiring an accent or dialect? With the Learn Option, you'll incorporate the accent/dialect's "leading action" into your muscle memory to ensure consistency. We'll cover all the vocal changes for the accent/dialect in case you need to improvise in character. As you progress, we'll work to fine-tune the accent/dialect to fit your character choices and ensure intelligibility. The goal is for you to feel adept using the accent/dialect as an acting tool.

  • MASTER an accent:

    Want to improve your range as an actor? With the Master Option, you can choose your own goals:

    1) mastering one accent/dialect as you explore its spectrum of options from broad character voices to nuanced realistic ones;

    2) learning or mastering multiple accents/dialects;

    3) improving any voice or speech problems

 

PRIVATE COACHING RATES:

  • $100-$175 - Quick Skim Session - rate determined based on length of your audition script (sides)

  • $175 - Single Learn / Master Session

  • $650 - Package of 4 Learn / Master Sessions (savings of $50)*

*Sessions 2, 3 and 4 must be completed within 90 days of the first session. Sorry, no refunds.

PRODUCTIONS

Coaching for stage, film and voice over productions offered for entire casts, lead roles only, and/or individual character parts.

 

PRODUCTION COACHING OPTIONS:

  • Are you directing or producing a film or TV project with characters from another place or time? Do your actors sound clear, convincing and authentic? I would love to work with you and your actors to ensure their speech is both believable and intelligible! Coaching is flexible and can be conducted prior to and/or during filming. Coaching prior to shooting is highly recommended, but I am also available for on-set coaching.

  • Are you directing or producing an animated film, video game, audiobook, historical narration, ADR looping or other VO project? Do your actors sound clear and convincing? Are you needing a voice match or specific regional sound? I would love to work with you and your actors to ensure their speech sounds authentic, believable and intelligible! Coaching is flexible and can be conducted prior to and/or during your recording session. (Coaching prior to recording is highly recommended.)

  • Are you a theatre producer or director? Or perhaps a high school drama teacher? I would love to work with you to ensure your production is first rate with speech that is both believable and intelligible! Coaching for stage productions usually includes:

    1) A 60-minute intro session held at the beginning of the rehearsal process to introduce concepts and retention techniques;

    2) One or two mid-process follow-up sessions in which I attend regular rehearsals, give notes, and answer questions;

    3) A final follow-up observation with notes held shortly before opening.

  • Is your community theatre group or school drama program producing a show requiring particular accents? Are you looking for a way to attract new actors, improve your production, and bring in some extra cash? Let’s partner together for a pre-audition accents prep workshop!

    Pre-audition accent prep workshops are held one day to two weeks prior to auditions. They are usually optional for actors who plan to audition, and are paid for by these actors. Proceeds are split between myself and your theatre company.

    These workshops focus specifically on the accent(s) needed for the play being cast, and can include one or multiple sessions for different accents and/or age groups. Workshops may be held in person or via video chat.

 

PRODUCTION COACHING RATES:

Rates will depend on a variety of factors including cast size, number of accents, number of coaching sessions, travel, on-set hours, etc. Please click the button below and share specifics about your particular project for a rate quote.

 

GROUP COACHING

4 to 5-week classes and one-day workshops tailored to working professionals or student actors of various ages and abilities

 

GROUP COACHING OPTIONS:

  • Classes on specific accents take place over 4 to 5 weeks.

    Classes are limited to 8 actors.

    Upcoming classes will be announced soon.

  • Introductory one or two day workshops which may be geared for kids, teens or adults.

    New workshop offerings coming soon.

  • Do you have a class or group interested in learning a particular accent/dialect? Maybe you're interested in basic voice and speech? I would love to work with you to design a learning experience that is fun, educational, and applicable to your specific needs! Private workshops can be customized for various ages, acting proficiency levels, and group sizes.

 

GROUP COACHING RATES:

  • Classes: $300 - includes 12 hours of class time over 4 to 5 weeks (plus homework)

  • Workshops: prices vary depending on what is being offered

  • Customized Group Coaching: prices vary depending on your needs

 

SAMPLE LIST OF ACCENTS TAUGHT

Transatlantic/Mid-Atlantic, Standard British (Received Pronunciation), Standard American, Cockney, Estuary, Multi-cultural London English (MLE), Midlands, Yorkshire, Liverpool (Scouse), Welsh, Irish—various, Scottish—various, Australian, New Zealander, Canadian—various, New York City—various, Boston (Southie or Kennedyesque), Midwestern (Chicago, Minnesota), Southern US (Appalachia, Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas), Western US (California, Utah, Oklahoma), Nigerian, Jamaican, French, Spanish—various, German, Italian, Russian/Slavic, Polish, Scandinavian, Dutch, Afrikaans, Arabic, Mandarin, Thai

COACHING CREDENTIALS

  • 20 years experience coaching hundreds of actors for dozens of productions

  • Proficiency in 20+ accents/dialects; ability to learn/teach new ones quickly

  • Comprehensive understanding of voice and speech anatomy and production

  • Editor of and contributor to 200-page handbook Accents & Dialects for the Actor

  • Co-teacher for 10 years of 16-week course Accents & Dialects for the Professional Actor

  • Extensive knowledge of Arthur Lessac voice and speech method

  • Familiarity with Cicely Berry, Kristin Linklater, Catherine Fitzmaurice and Edith Skinner approaches

  • In depth knowledge of singing techniques

  • Keenness for working with kids, teens and adults

MEMBERSHIPS

  • Pan-American Vocology Association (PAVA)

  • Lessac Training and Research Institute

  • Voice & Speech Trainers Association (VASTA)

VOCAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION

  • Vocology Certificate, National Center for Voice and Speech / University of Iowa
     - courses in voice production, habilitation, instrumentation and performance

  • Oxford Program, Acting, British American Drama Academy

  • Bachelor of Arts, Theatre, University of Utah
     - linguistics coursework in phonetics, phonology, syntax

  • Ongoing Training in Singing, Theatre Speech, and Voice Acting