Workshop: Creating Character Through Voice and Body

Creating Character through Voice and Body LIVE online with Laurann Brown

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow declared that, 'the human voice is the organ of the soul'; my first voice teacher espoused that the voice is a response to the psyche and the body. Between the soul, the psyche and the body the voice becomes one of our primary means of expressing and creating character - both our own and those we play on stage and screen.

Join me for a two hour exploration of breath, sound, colour, rhythm and music in the voice and body as we explore a few different ways to build a character by way of various vocal techniques. Methods used will likely include Laban Efforts for Voice, a variation on Kristin Linklater's resonance ladder, and the resonant characters created in the Roy Hart Method of Voice Work. The class will be inclusive and responsive to the needs of participants with opportunities to explore, sound and discuss.

WHEN: Wednesday Nov 25, 2020 (6:30 pm – 8:30 PM)

SUGGESTED COST: $25 NOTE: Pay-what-you-can options are available, please contact Morpheus Theatre.

WHERE: Online - ZOOM (Connection details will be provided the day before the workshop)

This workshop is presented at this low cost in the spirit of community theatre.

INSTRUCTOR: Laurann J Brown recently returned to her hometown of Calgary after 10+ years working as a voice and dialect expert in London, UK. She specializes in practical voice, dialect coaching, accent softening for EFL speakers, and mindfulness through breath and voice.

In London, Laurann taught in many drama schools including, three years as Head of Voice at The Urdang Academy; and five years as Senior Voice Tutor for the BA Hons Musical Theatre at ArtsEd. Many of her students went on to win roles in leading West End musicals such as Les Miserables, Wicked, Hamilton, Matilda, Romeo & Juliet, Heathers, Waitress and many more. In addition she worked widely as an accent coach in professional theatre and film around the UK, and maintained links to Canada as an Associate Coach at the Shaw Festival.

Her accent specialisms include Canadian, General American, American regional dialects (Southern, New York, Midwest and others), Standard English, Received Pronunciation, Cockney, Irish (Dublin), Yorkshire, French, Italian. Other dialects can be coached on request.

Additional professional training in massage therapy, yoga, meditation, 5 Rhythms Movement and Mental Health First Aid give her great insights into physicality and nervous system regulation and she is equally in demand teaching body language, vocal confidence and public speaking skills.