“The priority is always to make sure the music has a dramatic reason for being there and for the songs to be intentional and unapologetic."
By way of introduction, could you tell us a little about yourself and your background – how did you find your way into vocal coaching for theatre?
I have sung since I can remember and followed singing both as my study and then as my career. I did lots of performing when I was younger and then singing teaching and coaching developed from there. I was involved in lots of fantastic shows at uni, both performing and as part of creative teams, and theatre was where my performance and teaching skills came together.
When did you first get involved in theatre, and what was your first production? How did that come about? And what have you most recently been working on?
My first ever production was ‘Annie’ at school. My name got missed off the call back list by accident and I didn’t want to check if there had been a mistake because I didn’t want to seem presumptuous! I ended up playing Drake the butler…. I had a fantastic time working on A Midsummer Night’s Dream last year with OVO.
You’ve worked with OVO on a number of shows – could you name a few? Are there any that really stand out for you, and what made them special?
I’m not sure which was my first show and there have been so many great ones… Highlights are Merry Wives of Windsor and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I have been involved in the whole creative process on those shows and the way of working has been so integrated and that has transpired into the productions themselves, where it has felt really cohesive. Also, The Highwayman because I
performed in that and it was both an enormous challenge and exciting because of the intricate and detailed original music.
Working outdoors at the Roman Theatre must bring its own unique set of challenges. What are the most common vocal hurdles you find actors face in an open-air setting, and how do you help them overcome those? And on the flip side, what do you love about working in that space?
It is a magical setting and there is such a vocal and creative freedom that comes with performing outside. It is also a real challenge because there isn’t anything to reflect the sound back so voices can easily be absorbed by the space. Experiencing a full range of elements makes it an exciting and occasionally inhospitable environment. I feel like outdoor theatre is a bit like marmite for performers and I love marmite!
What are you most looking forward to in this season’s productions? With shows set in the 1920s and the 1960s, are there particular vocal styles or techniques from those eras that you’ll be drawing on?
For me, regardless of genre/era/show, the priority is always to make sure the music has a dramatic reason for being there and for the songs to be intentional and unapologetic. So I’m looking forward to working collaboratively on transitions and getting the vocals really tight and comfortable so that the songs can be vehicles for the story and character development. I’m also looking forward to working with Ryan (choreographer) so that the songs and movement complement and highlight each other.
How closely do you work with the musical director during a production?
When I started with OVO, I used to come in and work with the cast towards the end of the process. Now I am there from the get-go, which is great because it means I work alongside Tom on setting keys so that songs sit comfortably for performers and I have input on vocal arrangements. He spends time working with the band whilst I work with the singing and then we put it all together.
And finally, what is the most rewarding part of your job, and why?
I think that how we feel about what we do is the most important thing. The most rewarding part of my job is creating a working relationship that has the right ingredients for people to thrive. For me, that is feeling emotionally safe, championed and supported. When performers feel good about what they’re doing, the creative output is free flowing and fresh and exciting and everyone can learn and grow without fear and that for me is the absolute best bit, to feel a cast and crew of people loving what they are doing and that energy shining through the production.
As You Like It is being performed at the OVO Roman Theatre Festival until 22nd August in St Albans. For bookings, please click the link below.