1. Help the speaker recognize and identify personal strengths and weaknesses in his or her vocal and physical choices, as well as to develop a working method that encourages full and free vocal and physical usage.
2. Help the public speaker gain valuable practical experience speaking in a variety of formats, while putting into practice new skills acquired through daily voice and body work. The public speaking experiences aim to serve the speaker’s future demands in a variety of disciplines and occasions.
3. Explore the interpretive possibilities in various texts, and to foster an awareness of the energy of sounds and words through Shakespearean text.
4. Develop a level and quality of participation that nurtures a classroom environment conducive to personal growth and good work.
5. Make discoveries and progress tangible and non‐ethereal by speaking about these with clarity.
6. Introduce the speaker to a variety of exercises that provide experience in the release of vocal energy, responsiveness, dynamics and strength. The following areas will be the focus: grounding through the feet and legs, dynamic alignment through the spine, breath, and the head‐neck relationship, opening the channel for sound, an easy forward release of sound, the resonators, range and articulation. This will lead each student to create a personal voice warm up which can be used in future acting and speaking endeavors.

– be able to relax actively and cope with the stress of performance and public speaking

– have an understanding of how the voice works physiologically – root the breath and sound in the body

– identify physical tensions that inhibit the free flow of sound vibrations and inhibit physical expression

– explore/encourage resonance and vibration – encourage the development of new ways and habits of learning – develop range without extraneous tension.

– time management

– practicing – habit changing

– discipline

– focus

– ensemble skills

– listening

1. Daily warm‐ups and exercises in voice and speech which also set up effective patterns of physical communication and expression. You are responsible for knowing and practicing all the exercises learned in class. Good daily practice/review sessions outside of class, and detailed journal notes are essential to help you learn and receive full benefit from the exercises.
2. A class journal/notebook is highly recommended for daily notations. Make note of: exercises done in class that day, personal observations on progress, discoveries, and outside observations of vocal behaviour. These journals will develop your personal observation skills and will help you keep track of progress and challenges. They will also serve as a resource for you to refer to for subsequent assignments.