Introductory Linklater Voice Technique - Judith Shahn
Yvonne Harcus | Published on 8/18/2021
Introductory Linklater Voice Technique
with Judith Shahn
"Introduction to Linklater Voice is personal, practical and perhaps profound... Kristin Linklater always used to say, 'in order for change to happen the desire for the thing you want has to be greater than that which inhibits you'. I live by these words every day". -Judith Shahn
Prerequisites for Attendance:
PARTICIPANTS MUST BE COMMITTED TO ATTEND THE FULL WORKSHOP SCHEDULE.
Desire to develop understanding of voice. No previous Linklater Voice training necessary. Fluent ENOUGH in English to follow Judith's instruction.
Format:
The 18-hour workshop runs over two weekends, 4.5 hours per day - Saturday and Sunday 11th, 12th & 18th, 19th September.
One session per day:
British Standard Time - 4 pm - 8.30 pm
US Eastern Standard Time - 11 am - 3.30 pm
US Pacific Eastern Time - 8 am - 12.30 pm
Content:
The workshop begins with exercises designed to awaken a sensory and imagistic relationship with voice. The progression of exercises leads from physical awareness (locating tension and releasing it), to awareness of breathing, the experience of sound in the body, the release of tension in the throat, jaw, tongue and soft palate, the development of resonating power in the chest, the mouth and the face, the accompanying development of breathing power, the exploration of range throughout two to three octaves of speaking notes and, finally, to articulation.
The workshop gives an intensive overview of the basic progression of exercises as covered in the 2006 edition of Kristin Linklater’s book Freeing the Natural Voice: Imagery and Art in the Practice of Voice and Language.
The overall function of the work is to remove the physical and psychological blocks that inhibit the human vocal instrument. The objective of the work is a voice in direct contact with emotional impulse, shaped by the intellect but not restricted by it. As we work with releasing the voice from the body, we will work viscerally with language and text transforming communication and interpretive skills.
Be aware that exercises include adapted yoga positions, floor relaxation, arm-swings and other physical activities. All these can be adjusted to individual physical needs.
What do I need:
Space - enough floor space to stretch your arms and legs out, whether on the floor or whilst standing.
Loose comfortable clothing suitable for physical exercise. No belts. No jeans.
Learn by heart:
A poem (no more than 14 lines) that has particular meaning for you - something you need to speak right now. If English is not your first language, then the text can be in your own language - please send a copy of your text and an English translation (if applicable) to admin@linklatervoice.com.
Designated Linklater Teacher:
Judith Shahn has been a Designated Linklater teacher since 1991. She taught voice, speech, dialects and Shakespeare in the graduate actor training program at The University of Washington for 26 years where she is a Senior Lecturer Emerita. In addition, she is a dialect & voice coach for professional theatres has taught Linklater Voice workshops internationally in Mexico and Brazil. Judith assisted and co-taught with Kristin at the KLVC for several years. Her own consulting business, Vibrant Speaking, takes the Linklater work to people of all professions.