Seydways Acting Studio will be offering a two-day introduction to Fitzmaurice Voicework®—September 18 and September 25 (Saturday afternoons) from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Location is at Hotel Bijou, near Union Square in San Francisco. To sign up or for more info, please contact Cynthia Bassham at c_bassham@yahoo.com or call 510-303-2701. The fee is $60 (or $40 for currently enrolled students at Seydways).
Fitzmaurice Voicework® combines classical voice training for the theatre with adaptations of several body-based disciplines including yoga, bioenergetics, and shiatsu. The first phase, called Destructuring, opens the breathing (the energy for voice) and reduces bodily tension, which masks and limits the full range and expressiveness of the voice. The actor becomes aware of vibration throughout the body and deepens the connection of the voice to spontaneous impulse.
The second phase, called Restructuring, develops support and focus for the voice so that actors can share themselves fully, without straining, with other actors and with audience large and small. The Intro will focus on the Destructuring aspect of the work. A 2-day intro is required before attending ongoing Fitzmaurice classes (also offered through Seydways Acting Studio).
About the founder--Catherine Fitzmaurice studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England where she was a scholarship holder and prizewinner. During the last thirty-five years, she has adapted body-based disciplines (yoga etc.) for voice training and combined with classical techniques to form Fitzmaurice Voicework®. Now based in New York, she has thought voice all over the world, including Julliard, Yale, Harvard, NYU, The Central School of Speech and Drama, and the Moscow Art Theatre. Ms. Fitzmaurice is currently writing a book about her work. Click here for a reprint of an article from Acting Now with Ms. Fitzmaurice, where she shares her thoughts on the discipline.
About the teacher--Cynthia Bassham is an actor/teacher in the Bay Area and has taught Voice and Speech at the American Conservatory Theater for the last five years. She has studied with Nancy Houfek, Catherine Fitzmaurice, Patsy Rodenburg, and Saul Kotzubei. She received her MFA at A.C.T. Cynthia ia an Associate teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework®.