Voice and the Actor

An actor needs precise exercise and a clear understanding of their craft in order to unlock their full potential and to learn the difficult task of staying true to their instinct in the moment. As her book points out with remarkable persuasiveness, there is no one right technique - there are only a million wrong ones. Wrong uses of the voice are those that stifle feeling, limit activity, dull expression, flatten out individuality, and reduce experience to a generalization. To truly liberate one's hidden possibilities, it is essential to avoid these wrong uses of the voice and instead embrace what would otherwise be affirmed.

The voice is a powerful tool that can be used to express emotion and create meaningful connections. Cicely Berry understands this and knows that technical exercises alone are not enough to truly unlock the potential of the voice. After a session with her, actors have reported not only an improvement in their vocal abilities, but also a growth in their human relationships. This is a testament to her holistic approach to teaching, which never separates the sound of words from their living context. Peter Brook's foreword to Voice and the Actor is a testament to this, and a reminder that the voice is so much more than just a tool.