ABSTRACT
This chapter is the first of three detailing the disciplines that make up the actor-training methodology in the Month-Long Intensive for mid-career professionals (modified in the Summer Training Institute for undergraduates and younger actors). We focus here on Voice Work, as Kristin Linklater’s Voice progression (including breath, touch of sound, vibration, resonators, articulation, and voice into text) underpins Shakespeare & Company’s Training. The simple ‘Rituals’ (drawn from management consultancy) of ‘checking in’ and ‘reinforcement’ that bookend classes and rehearsals, and the Ground Rules of the Intensive, are also outlined. So too is Linklater’s synthesis of her work with that of movement pioneer Trish Arnold in the discipline entitled ‘Sound and Movement.’ The latter part of the chapter details the initial acting class of the Intensive known as ‘Basics.’ Basics begins the process of personalizing monologues from Shakespeare and aligning oneself with breath and word, so that language is experienced between actor and audience (rather than reported or described). This process of alignment is relevant for any script that aims to provoke thought and debate within an audience, from Brecht to Shakespeare to satire to psychological realism, and beyond.
