Many stage roles, at all levels of production - whether student, community, or professional - require dialects. An actor who auditions for these roles should have an idea how to prepare for and handle these dialect requirements. This class will provide students with the basic tools they need to create consistent, believable, quality stage dialects. We will use the same time-tested techniques as professionals and professional training programs throughout the world.

What will be covered:

• Introduction to the phonetic alphabet, the universal writing system used in many disciplines
• Types of vocal sounds and how they are produced
• How to use sound substitutions to create a dialect

Using the standard text and recordings Stage Dialects by Jerry Blunt (optional: students can purchase their own copy of this book from Amazon)

• Listening to actual speakers
• Practicing key sound substitutions
• Applying them to readings and monologues

Dialects we will touch on:

• "General" or "Standard American Speech" - i.e., without regionalisms
• "Standard" or "Upper" British*
• Italian
• Students will vote on a third dialect to study, or will each choose their own

Schedule:

• 4 Tuesdays starting April 26, 2022
• 6:00-8:30pm per session