Speech & Voice

How will I learn?

You will take part in workshop classes, tutorials, and improvisations, and will keep a journal in which to record your tutor’s feedback and your own reflections on your learning.

Speech & Voice

Tutor Caitlin Stegemoller Tutor led hours 45 Timetable 1 x 1.5 hour class every week throughout the course A sequence of technique classes in voice and speech involving: • Physical preparation: relaxing and centring the body, encouragement of neutral physicality so as to free the breathing mechanism and to open up the possibilities of a free, supported and expressive voice • Exercises to develop breathing capacity, control, connection and support for the sound • Exercises to begin to have an open channel and good resonance • Exercises to develop vocal expression and variety (pitch, pace, volume and emotional tone) • Exercises to develop articulation and clear speech • Applying vocal technique to text to begin to meet the communicative need of the actor and the text

Aims

• begin to develop a relaxed, centred and aligned body • begin to develop abdominal release, optimal breathing and a free supported voice • begin to develop clear, vibrant, dynamic and flexible speech • To develop effective listening • To develop storytelling, communication of ideas and imagery and verse speaking

What will I be expected to achieve?

You will be expected to demonstrate your ability to: Skills • Demonstrate progress in your ability to let go of restrictive physical and vocal habits • Demonstrate improved alignment, abdominal release and supported breathing and voice • begin to use the voice with expression and freedom and clear articulation. • engage in storytelling, communicating ideas and speaking short verse texts with understanding and a connected voice Knowledge and understanding

• understand the anatomy and physiology of vocal production • understand how to maintain and protect the condition of the voice

How will I learn?

You will take part in a sequence of technique classes, and you will keep a journal in which to record your tutor’s feedback and your own reflections on your learning.

Fitness, Health and Safety

Health and Safety is not taught as a separate class but embedded in the teaching throughout the module.

The planning, implementing and maintaining of personal health and fitness is an intrinsic part of the programme. Students are instructed on all aspects of theatre discipline, health and safety and best practice. Learning takes place during timetabled classes.

Acting

Theatre practice including Health & Safety is taught as part of acting classes.

Voice

Students are given instruction on how to use the voice safely. Emphasis is placed on the individual’s responsibility for the voice, its development and care

What will I be learn?

On the Foundation Acting module you will learn how to: • Prepare and execute suitable warm-up exercises in order to protect the body and the voice • Use the voice and body safely • Demonstrate a sense of physical self-awareness • Understand and implement the principles of fitness health and safety • Behave professionally and safely in a rehearsal room/class room

MODULE TEACHING PATTERN

Teaching Unit

Acting

Type Contact Hours

Self Directed Study Hours Workshop classes 118.5 24

Total Student Learning Hours 142.5

Speech and Voice Technique classes 45 12.5 57.5

Totals

163.5 36.5

200

MODULE ASSESSMENT PATTERN

Assessment Unit Assessment Type

Acting Speech and Voice Classwork Classwork

Weighting

Pass Mark Pass/Fail 70% 40 no 30% 40 no

How do I pass Acting skills?

You must achieve a mark of 40% or above for your classwork in Acting and Speech and Voice. The overall mark is calculated according to the weightings given in the table above. Acting Skills carries a weighting of 20% in the calculation of the overall mark for the CertHE.

READING LIST

Title Author Publisher Year

Acting, the basics Bella Merlin Routledge 2017

Acting through Song Bella Martin

Nick Hern Books 2002 Finding your Voice Barbara Houseman Nick Hern Books 2002 Work on your Accent Helen Ashton and Sarah Shepherd Harper Collins 2012