Voice and Speech Trainers Association, Inc.

Winter 1998 Volume 12, Number 1

Treasurer's Letter

VASTA-San Antonio

VASTA Retreat

Leadership Award

ATHE-San Antonio

Website

International

Mountain Top

Regional News

Minutes

Clyde Vinson Award

Professional Actors Reflect on Their Training
And the Actor/Vocal Coach Relationship PART II

by Mira Kehoe
The Guthrie Theatre

This is the second half of an article, the first of which appeared in the Fall 1997 VASTA Newsletter. The focus of Part One was professional actors reflecting on their training in voice and speech. Part two focuses on the actor/vocal coach relationship in professional theatre. I was interested in hearing thoughts about the working relationship between actors and vocal coaches, giving the actors an opportunity to speak anonymously to a number of voice and speech professionals. I will summarize comments, with a few direct quotes from individual actors. The perspective you hear is that of a group of thirty actors working from 3-25 years in regional repertory theatres, on and off Broadway, and in film.

RELATIONSHIPS
There is no substitute for de-veloping a good working relationship with an actor. Many actors appreciate an on-going approach to the work, dealing with vocal habits and long-term growth when possible. When not specifically related to the role, invite the actor to this work.

Engage in conversation early in the process to facilitate good communication. A dialogue is invaluable to determine when and how to best give notes and schedule coaching sessions. Listen, assess, ask questions, collaborate - work together to solve challenges. An actor may have an insight into a vocal issue.

Many actors said that the earlier the intervention, the better. It gives them

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