Course info

This is a compulsory second year course for students on the BA Hons Contemporary Theatre degree scheme. In the second year the rigorous foundation work of first year is developed and the individual range of vocal choices is explored in association with the work EA221 and EA222 Expressionism I and II. You will work on developing vocal skills for devised and improvised work, for the vocal expression of original creative writings such as poetry and for performance in a range of contemporary theatre styles and forms. By the end of this three-term module you will have the vocal flexibility (breath, pace, resonance, pitch and articulation) to meet the specific demands of self-created projects.

Term One
Exploring accents and dialects
Breath support and physical energy
Developing pitch and resonance range
Understanding poetic styles and devices
17th century commedia dell'arte rhetorical devices

Term Two
Exploring rhythmic text through voice and language
Style, form and use of language in poetry
Adapting breath and articulation to the demands of poetry
Pitch and resonant range for poetry and emotion
Use of Received Pronunciation in sustained and emotionally demanding contexts

Term Three
Performing self-authored poetry
Warm-ups for specific character styles
Developing sensitivity, power and passion in the voice
Muscular and resonant articulation for emotional flexibility
Techniques to carry intimate speech into performance space.