STAT CPD Day: The Spoken Voice for Actors & Performers Who Use Speech:
25 October 2014
A one day CPD Workshop for teachers and 9th term trainees who would like to develop their knowledge and skills in working with respiration and the spoken voice.
Natural Breathing: John Hunter Primary to working on voice is the capacity to breathe without unnecessary tensions. Drawing on the work of FM Alexander and Carl Stough*, we will explore the importance of releasing the ribcage in order to facilitate the reflex diaphragmatic inhalation and the controlled exhalation as means of reeducating respiratory mechanisms. From stillness to sound to movement to words: Dorothea Magonet We would start with meditation on the breath in semi-supine, preparing indirectly for the whispered ‘ah’, and coming into the upright continuing with whispered ah, developing into vocalised sound and finally to sound, words and movement. 'The Use of the Self' and the Healthy Voice: Gilly Sharpes In the workshop we will look at what constitutes a healthy/free voice and when does interference become too great and inhibit the process. When and how does the use of the self interfere with the natural workings of the voice. There will be a mixture of theory and practical work. We will explore common problems, such as lack of support, restricted range, constriction and when repeated interference becomes a problem. We will work practically through the areas of alignment, breath, phonation, range, resonance and articulation, taking it into the spoken word. How can an actor speak emotionally and truthfully without disturbing the relationship of the Primary Control? Penny O'Connor In this workshop Penny will look at the inherent end-gaining of ‘projecting the voice’ which tends to lead the actor into poking the neck forward, and ways and means to understand and stop this. Be prepared to join in pair exercises; running, hugging and looking deeply into each other’s eyes as you declare love, hate, fear and abandonment... We may even have a couple of acting students to demonstrate and help us along with this. Venue ArtsEd Cone Ripman House 14 Bath Rd, London W4 1LY * Carl Stough (1926-2000) developed an effective method of respiratory re-education, firstly as a choir master and later in the treatment of emphysema patients. His methods were used to help train US athletes to perform at high altitude in preparation for the 1968 Mexico Olympics. His approach, which he called “Breathing Coordination”, focussed on the controlled exhalation (rather like Alexander’s “whispered ah”), and the need to let the ribcage fully release in order to maximise the height of the diaphragm and thereby optimise the subsequent inhalation. |
"Each workshop connected to the other. Immense amount to contemplate. Inspired!"
"I have enjoyed it all. I have learned a lot both intellectually and experientially."
"Lots of knowledge and information explained in practical terms and a balance of instruction and 'hands-on'."
|