A series of workshops for performers, actors and theatre makers led by Dr. Viola Schmidt, Head of Voice and Speech at the renowned Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts of Berlin.
The workshops will enable participants to develop their physical and vocal training, exploring Viola’s practice particularly around the principle of “Gestus“.
The workshops’ exercises will develop participants’ ability to listen to one another and to react quickly and directly to someone’s intention. Participants will also discover the ability to use voice under physical strain.
All exercises will be partner-oriented, and game-based. No need to prepare anything in advance. You must be available to attend all four sessions.
To apply
- Email jennie.mccusker@homemcr.org with a short statement saying why you would like to take part and a CV.
- The cost of the course is £30 with bursary places available. Please indicate on your application if you would like to apply for a bursary place.
- Deadline for applications: Wed 9 May.
About Viola Schmidt
Viola Schmidt was born in Berlin in 1958. She studied Speech Science and German Language at the Faculty of Arts at the Martin Luther University Halle/Wittenberg in Germany from 1978 to 1982 and graduated with a Diploma.
After two years of research, she received her doctorate with a thesis entitled “On the relationship of self-assessment and assessment by others regarding voices possessing various degrees of hoarseness“ in 1985. From 1984 to 2001 She worked as an instructor for voice and speech at the Academy of Dramatic Arts Ernst Busch Berlin until 2001 when she became Professor of Voice and Speech at the University of Music and Theater Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy in Leipzig.
In 2003, she returned to Berlin and since then has been Professor of Voice and Speech at the Academy of Dramatic Arts Ernst Busch Berlin and Head of the Voice and Speech Training Section.From 2005 to 2011, she was vice-rector of the university and helped develop the international collaborations of the Acting Department of Ernst Busch.
She has worked as a voice and speech coach at various German theaters and has run workshops in Germany, Austria, Norway, Peru and China.