BARBARA HOUSEMAN
voice coach & director
2022 RETREATS
"One of the best things I've done all year."
Participant on November '21 retreat
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"I am running these retreats in the beautiful countryside of North Wales. As well as taking a deep dive into inner and outer voice, exploring connection to text, removing acting blocks and increasing mindfulness and self compassion there will be a chance to be in nature and, during the 6 day retreat, to enjoy outdoor activities.
The retreats will be tailored to the needs and interests of the participants. Some are open to all those who use their voice and others aimed at performers and voice professionals. It will offer practical tools as well as a chance to do deeper transformative work so each participant can take what is comfortable and relevant for them. "
DEVELOPING YOUR VOICE
for performers & voice coaches
JANUARY 28th at 3pm – JANUARY 30th at 9pm
FINDING YOUR VOICE
open to anyone who wants to find their authentic voice
APRIL 29th at 3pm – MAY 1st at 9pm
MINDFULNESS IN PERFORMANCE & LIFE
open to all
JUNE 10th at 3pm – JUNE 12th at 9pm
VOICE RETREAT
for actors, voiceover artists & voice coaches
AUGUST 3rd at 4pm – AUGUST 10th at 10am
Developing Your Voice
This set of simple and effective exercises will give you a clear understanding of the elements involved in developing your voice. Following along on a regular basis, will build a healthy, flexible and expressive voice capable of filling whatever space you are working in, appropriately and truthfully. This class is for you whether you are a professional performer moving between theatre and film, or an individual looking to improve your vocal skills.
Bringing Text To Life
Join Barbara and professional actress, Jade Anouka, as they work through enjoyable and effective exercises that connect deeply and swiftly with the text, whether classical or modern, so the words sound as if they are your own. These principles work on every piece of writing whether it be Shakespeare, modern prose or a presentation to the board of directors. You will discover ways of charting your inner journey and will find the way to express a deep and subtle inner story that engages your audience.
actor testimonials
I first became aware of Barbara Houseman’s work some years ago when I was performing with the RSC. She was part of the great tradition of voice teaching which the company encouraged, pioneered by the brilliant Cis Berry.
More recently I have worked with Barbara as a director and an actor. In both cases she was an enormous inspiration.
KENNETH BRANAGH
Barbara's work starts with voice, passes through the physical and results in a character.
Her teaching helps total performance.
JUDE LAW
Barbara is a passionate teacher and, as an actor new to the stage, there was no better person to be working with…She is an inspiring teacher, and I left every session stimulated with the new discoveries we had made…
I continue to work with her, as I find her a hugely motivating force in my work.
DANIEL RADCLIFFE
Having returned to the stage for the first time in 14 years I recently enlisted the help of Barbara and found her to be hugely helpful , supportive and inspirational ..
I rate her as one of the best voice coaches I have come across ..
Incisive .. Instinctive ..Specific ..and a great enabler ...I feel very lucky to know her and be able to work with her.
CLIVE OWEN
Barbara was vital to the success of our all-female trilogy at the Donmar. Her unique combination of technical know-how, passion and openness helped each of us with such different experiences, accents and backgrounds to express our own personal connection with Shakespeare’s language while never sacrificing clarity and audibility. The show benefited from the variety of sounds and the actors who had never spoken Shakespeare before could not have had a better start.
HARRIET WALTER
Freedom From Torture
"Freedom from Torture is the only organisation in the UK dedicated solely to the treatment and rehabilitation of survivors of torture. They do amazing work and are very much led by their clients. I had the privilege of working with 9 members of the 'Write to Life Group'. It was a humbling experience and the comments below are testimony to their courage and tenacity. I have been involved with Freedom from Torture recently in a variety of ways and find it to be an excellently run charity doing superb work. What struck me about every client I met was their passionate wish to help others. If you are suffering from charity fatigue and wondering where you can usefully make a donation I can wholeheartedly recommend Freedom from Torture."
Barbara Houseman
