Voicing the Text

Catalog description

Now more than ever young people need to know how to use their voices in a way that will have the greatest impact on the listener. In this class we study vocal and performance technique and the art of persuasive communication. We will put these two practices together to investigate how to most effectively communicate in order to evoke pathos, understanding and action from our audiences. Students will discuss, analyze and perform texts from classic and modern plays, ancient and contemporary politicians and youth activists . This course will ask questions such as: What is the difference between texts that are intended to be heard versus texts that are intended to be read? How do the musical qualities of the voice (such as tone, timbre and inflection) affect the content and reception of the message? How does a performer give voice to a playwright's words? How do our vocal habits affect our ability to communicate clearly? How can we each use our natural voice to its best and most profound effect? "