Voice Training for Actors for High School Students (In Celebration of World Voice Day 2024)

The human voice is a fascinating and multidimensional phenomenon. From scientific principles to artistic expression, both humans and animals use voice as a primary tool for communicating meaning and emotion. Voice intersects with many disciplines – auditory perception, psychology, neuroscience, cognition, linguistics, and acoustics. Voice also plays a vital role in transmitting cultural traditions and artistic expression across the globe.

However, the general public and even professional voice users may lack a comprehensive, interdisciplinary understanding of voice. Aspects like voice science, voice pedagogy, and the artistry of vocal expression are often under-supported or misunderstood, especially in contexts like Thailand where voice knowledge remains limited across dimensions.

The Departments of Dramatic Arts and Linguistics at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, leading national institutions for vocal arts and sciences, recognize the importance of raising interdisciplinary voice awareness. We have developed a special lecture and workshop for high school students interested in theater, as this group frequently engages in voice-intensive school activities like plays, sports, singing competitions, etc. Yet many lack sufficient voice training, leading to voice issues. Equipping these students with artistic and scientific voice knowledge positions them as influential voices promoting healthy, effective vocal practices aligned with international standards.