Acting in an Accent - General American

Book Now for Acting in an Accent - General American
Course participant holding a text and reading aloud from it

Key information:

Course dates:
Mon 8 – Fri 12 Jul 2024
Course times:
10am–5pm
Age:
18+
Art form:
Drama
Fees:
£625
Deadline:
Bookings will close at 5pm on Sunday 30 June 2024 or when the course reaches full capacity
Level of study:
Short Courses & Summer Schools (ages 18+)
Mode of study:
In-person
Venue:
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
When:
Summer Schools (July–August)

Course info

Book Now
  • Spaces are limited so early booking is encouraged
  • Bookings will close at 5pm on Sunday 30 June 2024 or when the course reaches full capacity
  • Please note that accommodation in Sundial Court isn't available in 2024
  • For our Terms and Conditions, please click here

Ages 18+

Course Dates & Times

Monday 8 – Friday 12 July 2024
10am–5pm

About Acting in an Accent - General American 

This five-day course will introduce you to the foundations and principles of working in an accent other than your own.

Using practical exercises led by a professional dialect coach, you will learn the foundations of accent analysis and application, with a focus on a contemporary General American (Mid-Western) sound. You will also be coached to apply these new skills to texts drawn from contemporary American plays.

Who is the course for?
  • Anyone aged 18 and over interested in learning about, and working on, accents with a specific focus on General American.
  • There is no upper age limit on this course. We encourage and welcome participants from all ages 18 and over.
What can I expect?

The course will explore varied approaches to accent learning, the challenges of working in a second sound and applying them to monologues and scene study. You will be provided with a professional dialect breakdown sheet, sample recordings and appropriate texts.

By the end of the course you will have:

  • A comprehensive understanding of the principles of accent learning
  • Practical experience in the significant changes from your accent to the General American accent.
  • Transferable skills that can be applied to any other accent.
Do I need anything for the course?
  • Clothes comfortable to move in
  • Participants must have sufficient English language skills to cope with course demands. We would recommend all participants have at least C1 proficiency, or IELTS level 7 and above
  • An audio recording device (most smart phones have a voice recorder app such as Voice Record Pro – available on both Apple and Android platforms).
'This course was so valuable. I feel like I learnt so much and it has given me the motivation to continue working on acting in an accent.'

– Tayah, participant on Acting in an Accent, 2023

Course Fee

£625
Book Now
  • Spaces are limited so early booking is encouraged
  • Bookings will close at 5pm on Sunday 30 June 2024 or when the course reaches full capacity
  • Please note that accommodation in Sundial Court isn't available in 2024
  • For our Terms and Conditions, please click here

Eligibility

  • For everyone aged 18+. There is no upper age limit on this course. We encourage and welcome participants from all ages 18 and over.
  • Participants must have sufficient English language skills to cope with course demands. We would recommend all participants have at least C1 proficiency, or IELTS level 7 and above.

About the Course Tutor

This course is taught by Salvatore Sorce, Voice and Dialect Coach. 

Salvatore is a freelance Voice and Dialect Coach who works in drama schools and the industry. He trained as an actor at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, received his Masters in Voice Studies from Royal Central and is a certified teacher of Knight Thompson Speechwork. Salvatore is a Higher Education Faculty Member at Shakespeare's Globe specialising in Voice, Speech and Text. He also teaches at RADA, the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and LAMDA. 

As a voice and accent coach his professional credits include: 

Theatre: In Dreams (Leeds Playhouse), 42nd Street (Sadlers Wells and UK tour), For Black Boys Who Consider Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy (Apollo Shaftesbury), A Little Life (Harold Pinter Theatre), Black Superhero (Royal Court), Girl from the North Country (UK tour).

TelevisionMy Lady Jane, Transatlantic, The Toys that Built America, Desperate Measures, Devil’s Advocate, Then Barbara Met Alan, Grinch: The Musical, Don't Forget the Driver.

Film: Silver, A Bit of Light.

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