take it to the next level

Dialect &
Accent Reduction

Offered at The Actors Scene by Richard Hempton

These are classes that require commitment. Regularly weekly sessions are highly recommended and 1 hour/week for at least a month is recommended to start.

Accent
Reduction

People speak as the people we hear often speak; this is how regional accents exist. Speech is a learned behavior;  sometimes there is a physical reason for incorrect speech patterns. Most people develop habits of holding tension in places such as the neck, jaw, and shoulders which affects their voice.

Performers may also have additional “performance tension” they have developed and unconsciously made a part of their normal rehearsal routine. Habitual tension affects the voice even if one is unaware it exists. The first step in any training is becoming aware of what we currently are doing. Identifying habits and tension is the key to knowing which exercises will most efficiently get the desired results.  

Speaking with a standard American accent can make business or social communication easier. It can increase confidence and professional image and improve the clarity of your speech. These lessons are generally geared for performers however people from many walks of life find benefit in reducing a regional accent.

Our Goal...

is to help you identify habitual tension and provide you with training and exercises that you can continue to perform on your own in any situation. You will learn to release tension and speak with a clear Standard American accent. We will spend a good deal of time on the most often mispronounced consonants and difficult Standard American English Sounds: S, R, L, TH, T. 

Often actors are asked to portray a character who speaks entirely differently from their natural voice. For example, there are regional accents in the United States that stand out such as New York, Boston, and various Southern dialects. There are also foreign accents that are not always easy for Americans to replicate convincingly such as Russian, Irish, French and several of the British dialects.

Mastering...

a different speech pattern is difficult but not impossible. The first step is to learn to see letters as sounds (phonetics) and then through voice exercises and guidance you will eventually be able to apply the sounds to any script, any sides, and any words that you desire effectively and convincingly. We will not only spend time learning consonants and vowel sounds but also cadence of speech and slang.

Foreign &
Regional Dialects

Session Pricing

Please review our Terms and Guidelines before scheduling tapings or coaching.

Half Hour Session

$45

Please read our Terms and Guidelines before booking

One Hour Session

$70

Please read our Terms and Guidelines before booking

Online Coaching

Can’t make it to our studio but need audition coaching? ​

No worries! We got you! Our online coaching sessions let you tune in via Zoom from wherever you are and our coaches will work with you on your auditions, answer questions, build a curriculum to work on the skills you need to improve, or provide a career coaching session. You don’t even have to leave the house!

Career Coaching

One-on-one coaching that teaches how to set goals, evaluate your work and take your career to the next level.

Have Questions?

We’re always available to clear things up or even just to have a chat.