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
Blog
Thoughts on Grading
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… Continue reading Thoughts on Grading
Principles of Self-Care for Student Actors
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… Continue reading Principles of Self-Care for Student Actors
Dear Student: Failing
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… Continue reading Dear Student: Failing
Dear Student: Drama School (Know Before You Go)
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,… Continue reading Dear Student: Drama School (Know Before You Go)
Dear Student: On Not Being Chosen for an Acting Award
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… Continue reading Dear Student: On Not Being Chosen for an Acting Award
Notes on the 2018 VASTA/PAVA Conference Soma and Science: Bridging the Gap in Interdisciplinary Voice Training
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.
Exercise Essay: Vowel Yoga
The Version of Record of this manuscript has been published and is available in the Voice and Speech Review 11:3, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23268263.2017.1398392
Directing Chekhov’s “Seagull”
This spring I had the opportunity to direct Anton Chekhov’s Seagull with a phenomenal group of student actors at UVU. We started with a month of silent-etude-based rehearsal in place of table work and included a collaborator from the dance department to bring this production to life. I hope you’ll enjoy some photos from the production.… Continue reading Directing Chekhov’s “Seagull”
Posture Through Movement
Originally published November 4, 2017 on the KTSpeechblog: Posture Through Movement Here’s an odd question: What if Speaking With Skill had been written specifically for French speakers (perhaps by Dudley “Chevalier”)? The “vowel calisthenics” figure-8 exercise beginning on page 279 might look something like this…try it out! Does your mouth feel more French yet? Sometimes coaching an… Continue reading Posture Through Movement