Second Edition (CD Included)
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Classically Speaking offers an approach for American actors who wish to explore sound beyond their habitual speech, fine-tune their ability to hear and identify subtle variations in sounds and dialects, and to develop the flexibility and skills necessary to adjust their speech to the particular demands of a wider range of characters and material.
Neutral American Speech (NAS) is the most practical dialect an actor can study. Sometimes referred to as General American, it is spoken without regionalisms that identify an actor's specific point of origin or 'home' sounds. When effectively incorporated, the actor - and therefore the character - is not revealed as explicitly Southern, Mid-Western, or from Boston, New York, Chicago, Tennessee, New Hampshire, Texas, etc. He/she is therefore 'neutral'.
The Neutral American section gives special focus to the Rhythm Highlighters, which address general rhythmic issues for well-spoken American English, before delving into the specific spoken sounds of English in detail.
Classical American Dialect offers an intermediate option between well-pronounced Neutral American and Standard British. It builds upon Neutral American, blending additional rhythmic and sound elements, which result in more formal or heightened speech without sounding British to an American ear. (Written and audio material is also included comparing Classical American and Mid-Atlantic dialects.)
Standard British (RP), the dialect traditionally spoken by the English upper and upper-middle classes, is appropriate for characters in period plays, those of the 19th century authored by Shaw and Wilde, or Restoration playwrights Congreve and Farquhar, among others.
It is also beneficial for American actors to know Standard British as a foundation on which to build their study of foreign accents. Many people worldwide who have learned English as a second language have been taught by speakers of Standard British, and this is reflected in their spoken English sounds.
ORDERING
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| TESTIMONIALS |
"Whether you are an actor, voice teacher, or director, Classically Speaking by Patricia Fletcher is A TERRIFIC AND COMPREHENSIVE WORKBOOK for language and articulation. This book is an invaluable and well-organized guide in deciding which choices to make to enhance and serve the playing of any text, from the classic to modern repertoire."
Andrea Haring
Associate Director, The Linklater Center
for Voice and Language
Columbia Graduate School of Theatre
Circle-in-the-Square Theatre School |
“Pat’s ability to translate the complexities of Standard and Classical Speech into clear and simple practice, makes her an amazing resource for any student of voice and speech, both personally and a through her indispensable book, CLASSICALLY SPEAKING. I knew Pat was an amazing teacher when I was her student, but since becoming a speech teacher myself, I’ve realized the true extent of her mastery.”
Molly Goforth
Actress & Teacher |
"I consider Patricia Fletcher ONE OF THE FOREMOST INSTRUCTORS IN THE FIELD. Through her character-driven speech and dialect work, Pat's care and concern is always on the mantle of originality and creativity. I am enviable of today's graduate students, and I welcome her daily to the classroom in appreciation for this very valuable new textbook for the 21st century actor."
Robert Lupone
Director, New School for Drama
New School University
Artistic Director, MCC Theatre
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"Patricia's sensitivity to the sounds, rhythms, and musicality of American speech TUNES THE ACTOR'S EAR TO A WORLD OF DIALECTS, through the use of phonetics, a comprehensive CD, and an arsenal of quotes from Shakespeare, Chekhov, Ibsen, Strindberg, Shaw, Wilde, Congreve, Poe, Dickens, Melville, Lewis Carroll, and much much more…"
Christopher Martin
International Director/Actor
Founding Artistic Director, Classic Stage Company |
"Patricia Fletcher is a gifted teacher whose work reflects a unique understanding of speech as a 'character' choice. Classically Speaking is amazingly thorough and enormously 'user-friendly'. Whether an experienced actor or beginner, THIS BOOK IS ESSENTIAL."
Nova Thomas
Co-chair, Voice & Speech
Actors Studio Drama School, New School University
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“I'm moved to sing high praises to Patricia Fletcher for her very excellent book Classically Speaking: Dialects for Actors (2nd ed.). This is a very accessible, clearly written, and well-organized book focusing on Neutral American, Classical American, and Standard British (RP), complete with a CD with lots of examples of each. Pat's writing is unpretentious and "actor-friendly" with IPA charts, learning/practice strategies, and lots of practice text.”
Connie de Veer
Assistant Professor Acting/Voice
Texas Christian University |
“I think the book is really useful and the CD is fantastic! I will definitely use this book for my grads."
Christine Adaire
Chicago College of Performing Arts/
Theatre Conservatory |
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