First off, some brief lessons from sociolinguistics… Everyone has an accent. To say that someone’s speech lacks accent features is akin to saying that person lacks facial features. When someone is said to have “no accent” (or “just a hint of an accent”), it is likely they speak with an accent that reflects dominant identities […]
Invisible Storytelling: Production Dialect Design Read More »
Although I have worked with many different directors of Shakespeare in many different productions, and I pride myself on being a supportive colleague and adaptable coach, it would be disingenuous of me to claim that I do not have certain personal aesthetic preferences when it comes to verse speaking. Primarily, I believe that poetry should
A Verse-Speaking Aesthetic Read More »
The Version of Record of this manuscript has been published and is available in the Voice and Speech Review, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23268263.2020.1757838
Exercise Essay: A Progression for Teaching Place of Articulation Read More »
The Version of Record of this manuscript has been published and is available in the Voice and Speech Review 14:1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23268263.2020.1684017
Reflections on the 2019 VASTA Conference: Connectors, Communicators, and Culture Read More »
Here’s the handout I gave to my students this term. It’s a big experiment, and it grew out of the fact that at the end of each term, I have to rank, categorize, and label all of the unique human beings I’ve gotten to know over the course of a semester. I want to be
Thoughts on Grading Read More »
Only you are in charge of you. Your body is your own. You are not obligated to share it. Your personal life is your own. You are not obligated to share it. Don’t do things that hurt yourself or others. People that aim to “break you down” or “crack you open” are abusing you. They
Principles of Self-Care for Student Actors Read More »
Dear Student, Thanks for being candid with me about your academic struggle this term and the shame you’re experiencing about it. I can’t help you process that, but I can say that I don’t need you to feel badly or even apologize. I trust that you’re having a valuable learning experience in some way. I
Dear Student: Failing Read More »
Your education only begins with school. Two to four years of university training can give you a good foundation (if you are ready to make the most of it) but serious and successful actors continue to take class and learn new skills throughout their careers. You can expect to be in class for a long,
Dear Student: Drama School (Know Before You Go) Read More »
Dear [Student], I’m sorry you’re disappointed about [not being chosen for an award]. I can’t make that feel better for you, but I can try to answer your question, and I hope my perspective might help you find some new perspective too. [The question was, in essence, “Not to seem entitled, but I deserved to
Dear Student: On Not Being Chosen for an Acting Award Read More »
The Version of Record of this manuscript has been published and is available in the Voice and Speech Review 12:3, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23268263.2018.1518378.