Why this class?

There are many, many avenues for becoming a better audiobook narrator, and there are many spectacular coaches available in the industry. This course aims to offer something totally unique, that will work in tandem and build upon those experiences and techniques.

However, this acting class is completely created with the audiobook actor in mind. Unlike a class for theater, musical theater or film, where the size and scale of performance will vary in energy, level and size - and could potentially lead the audiobook actor to work ‘too big’ in the booth, this course will always focus on the intimacy of audiobook performance. A zoom-related class is actually ideal for this, since the student is not attempting to project into a larger theater or classroom. The focus will always be on the ‘tight close-up’ and imperative honesty and truth required of the audiobook actor.

An actor who’s primary art form is audio also has different preparation needs than that of an actor playing a single role in a play or film. We have to be able to remain connected to truth and create real, honest characters quickly, by the dozen, with no rehearsal, little prep, and often well outside of our own gender or casting range. This course constantly keeps that need to the fore.

Working with a partner and learning from classmates also offers something totally unique from one-on-one coaching. We learn as much from observing other people working as we do from performing ourselves. The feedback of our peers and the support of a class environment and the commitment you make to a structured course is invaluable.

By embarking up on a course with specific weekly goals and assignments - understanding the instinct of natural acting, harnessing relaxation, how to warm up, the actor’s physicality, creation of a character, vocal range, how to identify and harness a character wants and needs, the anatomy of a scene, text analysis, 3rd person narration, problematic writing, discovery in the moment, scene partnering and extreme characterization outside our own natural casting range… there is great scope for nurtured grown and discovery.

The course is fun. I promise.