About the Book:

Voice and Speech Workbook for student actors and their teachers.

There are thousands of students enrolled in school drama classes in yet very often young actors cannot be heard, are culturally encouraged to trail off at the ends of sentences, and habitually use only the lowest pitches of the voice. Drama teachers, frequently ask, "How can I get my students to speak up, to be clear, to articulate?"

Voice and the Young Actor is written for student actors and their teachers who want to improve the clarity and power of the speaking voice. It is inviting in format, language and illustration and offers clear and inspiring instructions. An 85-minute DVD features 24 filmed voice workshop exercises with the author and two students. These students log their reflections in the book on what they have learned throughout their training and there is space for the reader to do the same.

A workbook in format, Voice and the Young Actor provides simple, interactive vocal exercises and shows young performers how to take voice work into acting.

What people say:

"Rena's book is WONDERFUL and makes such a HUGE difference in your students! Her methods are simple, easy to understand and follow, and the book is also enjoyable to read! A MUST HAVE for any theatre teacher's desk (cause you don't want to keep it on a shelf... USE IT!!!!)!" — Teresa Ragland, Theatre Teacher at Lufkin Middle School

"Many high school theatre teachers do not have access to intensive voice instruction. Rena's book will fill that void. It is instructive, concise, easy to understand, and most importantly for the high school student, fun. High school teachers will find the book an invaluable voice and acting resource. It would be beneficial to all high school theatre programs to have Voice and the Young Actor as a textbook." — Kim Moore, High School Teacher, Colorado

"This book is lucid, practical and essential for both the student and teacher of voice and acting...[W]hilst the depth of the field is never compromised, and it's authority is never in doubt, the book is written in such a way that the reader is enabled to utilise the material to suit their own particular context. As a result, it is never didactic. Perfect. If another better, fairer, more astute primer appears in the next decade, I would be extremely surprised." — Jane Boston, head of Voice Studies, Central School of Speech and Drama in London

"Finally a textbook that truly “demystifies” the speaking voice! Rena Cook’s remarkable Voice and the Young Actor is a spot on teacher/student-friendly masterpiece." — Tom McNally, Coordinator of the Acting Program, University of Northern Colorado

"Cook has used her voice to help readers find theirs! Here she combines many aspects of theatrical vocal work into one volume, and provides a DVD with companion material. This is part workbook, part textbook, and part instructor manual. Because it is clearly written, the book helps demystify many of the common misconceptions about the voice. Cook begins with the physical aspects of the voice: larynx, posture, breathing, focus. Subsequent chapters explore pitch, range, volume, characterization, and how to create a personal warm-up. Every page contains no-nonsense exercises, discussion questions, teacher tips, and a space for students to jot down notes. This incredibly well-thought-out book provides solid basics for a lifetime of good, healthy vocal production. The DVD offers helpful visual reinforcement of the text. Although aimed at high-school students, the book will serve voice students and teachers at the undergraduate level. It could even be used to train future educators!" — Eric C. Skiles, Professor and Artistic Director Of Theatre, Lone Star College, Kingwood, Texas

About the Author:

Rena Cook is a voice coach and Emeritus Professor of Voice in the School of Drama at the University of Oklahoma. She has an MA in Voice Studies from the Central School of Speech and Drama in London and an MFA in Directing from the University of Oklahoma. She taught high school drama for sixteen years before moving to higher education. Her dedication to teacher training continues each summer as she teaches on the University of Houston’s Master of Arts for drama teachers. She has also taught at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and at the Central School in London. Her voice workshops are favourites at Thespian Conferences throughout the US and UK. As a professional voice and text coach she has worked with such companies as the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, Lyric Theatre and Oklahoma Arts Institute.