THEA 1700 Voice for the Actor

This course is a practical introduction to the methods and principles aimed at developing comfortable, efficient, and effective use of the voice for stage performance. Coursework will focus on breath support, relaxation, vocal health, projection, enunciation, expressiveness, vocal variety and flexibility. In addition, students will begin work on eliminating regional dialects and vocal defects such as breathiness, harshness, and nasality, with the goal of attaining Standard American Speech. This course will be helpful to anyone who engages in public speaking. (2 lect.)

Credits

2 credits

Transfer Status

Equivalent to UW.

Major Topics

• Diaphragm breathing
• Warm-up exercises
• Vocabulary of voice and diction
• Vocal health
• Projection
• Enunciation
• Vocal quality
• Vocal variety
• Common vocal problems

Outcomes

In order to successfully complete this course, the student will:

1. Use a repertoire of vocal and physical warm-up and relaxation exercises.

2. Define basic terms related to voice and diction.

3. Identify basic principles of vocal health

4. Recognize common voice descriptors: breathy, strident, harsh, vocal fry, nasal, denasal, throaty, glottal shock and hoarse.

5. Diagnose common articulatory errors including omissions, additions, substitutions, reversals, and distortions.

6. Demonstrate improved breath support, resonance, vocal quality, and projection.

7. Demonstrate improved vocal variety and flexibility in the use of rate, pitch, volume, pause, and emphasis.

8. Evaluate vocal performances of yourself and others.

9. Participate in class exercises, warm-ups, verbal evaluations, and class discussions.