Classically Speaking: Essential Guide for Actors
Patricia Fletcher has done a tremendous service for all of us who are interested in language and classical text. THIS IS A MUST HAVE BOOK. ”
William Esper
William Esper, Acting Studio
"ONE OF THE FOREMOST INSTRUCTORS IN THE FIELD...
Robert LuPone
Artistic Director, MCC Theatre
TUNES THE ACTOR'S EAR TO A WORLD OF DIALECTS....
Christopher Martin
Founding Artistic Director, Classic Stage Company
*TERRIFIC AND COMPREHENSIVE..."
Andrea Haring
Columbia Graduate School of the Arts
"THIS BOOK IS ESSENTIAL..."
Nova Thomas
Princeton University, New School University
"UNPRETENTIOUS AND ACTOR-FRIENDLY..."
Connie de Veer
Texas Christian University
"A COMPENDIUM OF EVERYTHING THERE IS..." to expand and enrich his or her awareness of and expertise in speech, dialects and text interpretation..."
Kristin Linklater
Founder, Linklater Voice
William Esper, Acting Studio
About Classically Speaking
Classically Speaking offers an approach for 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 develop the flexibility and skills necessary to adjust their speech to the particular demands of a wider range of characters and material.
Digital Audio Download Copyright Information
These audio files are subject to the United States and international copyright laws. Accordingly, it is illegal to transmit these files to anyone else, by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the copyright holder, Patricia Fletcher.
Ordering
Sample Chapters
Read some sample chapters from Classically Speaking below and listen to some sample audio:
Natural American Speech (NAS)
Classical American
Mid Altantic
Standard British
More About the Book
Introduction, IPA, Rhythm Highlighters (90 pages)
The book begins with 45 pages dedicated to IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) study and focuses on general rhythmic issues for well-spoken American English. It then delves into the specific spoken sounds of Neutral American Speech (NAS) in detail.
Neutral American Speech (NAS) (237 pages)
Neutral American Speech (NAS), sometimes referred to as General American, is the most practical dialect an actor can study. It's spoken without regionalisms that identify an actor's specific point of origin or "home" sounds. When effectively incorporated, the actor—and therefore the character—isn't explicitly revealed as Southern, Mid-Western, or from Boston, New York, Chicago, Tennessee, New Hampshire, Texas, etc. The speaker is therefore "neutral."
Classical American Dialect (89 pages)
The 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, resulting in more formal or heightened speech without sounding British to an American ear.
Mid-Atlantic Dialect (18 pages)
The Mid-Atlantic dialect, which often sounds like Standard British to the untrained ear, is covered in brief, as is its relationship to Classical American and Standard British.
Standard British (RP) (63 pages)
Standard British (RP), the dialect traditionally spoken by the English upper and upper-middle classes, is appropriate for characters in period plays, those from the 19th century authored by Shaw and Wilde, or Restoration playwrights Congreve and Farquhar, among others.
Note:
It is also beneficial for American actors to know Standard British as a foundation on which to build their study of foreign accents. Speakers of Standard British have taught English as a second language to many people worldwide, and this is reflected in these people's spoken English sounds.
Order Your Copy
Unlock the secrets to mastering dialects with Patricia Fletcher's "Classically Speaking," your go-to guide for expert dialect coaching, accent reduction, and vocal coaching. Order now.
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