Shane Ann Younts, Voice and Speech for Actors, NYC

Starting Advanced Work With Private Classes

Shane Ann — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:02:27 +0000

My private students started their Advanced work this week, which means we are combining voice and speech work with text work while they are acting. Very exciting step. I’ve been doing this for a long time and I must say this class was wonderful. They really understand the importance of this step and have brought their enthusiasm to the work. I am grateful to have such an amazing group of actors to work with.

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Workshop with Students from Principia

Shane Ann — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:18:38 +0000

I taught a workshop with a group of students from Principia Middle School in St. Louis, Missouri. They were in NYC for a field trip to see and experience theatre. They had an amazing schedule which included seeing “Phantom”, “Peter and the Starcatcher” and “Warhorse” as well taking a combat class and numerous other activities. After our voice warm-up I answered questions about what a dialect coach does and what my favorite Shakespeare play is, and various other questions. It was an interesting afternoon.

Jean Piper liked this post

Working with the “Mary Poppins” kids

Shane Ann — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:38:31 +0000

The children I work with on the Broadway production of “Mary Poppins” are pretty incredible. They range in ages from eight years old to twelve years old and when other children their age are out playing soccer or going to ballet classes or playing baseball, they are at dance rehearsals or blocking rehearsals or put-in rehearsals or dialect/diction rehearsals. For such young people they have amazing concentration and ability. We had a great rehearsal yesterday just to check on the accuracy of the dialect and to be sure the audience can understand every word they are saying. Their ability to concentrate for two hours is impressive. They never cease to amaze me.

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First preview of “Newsies”

Shane Ann — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 22:20:48 +0000

I have been going to the theatre since before the Civil War (OK not quite that long) and I have never experienced anything like what happened last night at the first preview of the Broadway production of “Newsies”. There was a standing ovation after “Seize the Day”. A standing ovation in the middle of the show. The number is extraordinary – the dancing makes my jaw drop every time I watch it. And the lyrics are powerful and the music makes you want to join in and sing with the actors. And the choreography is brilliant ….but no one ever gets a standing ovation in the middle of the show. Last night our cast did. Extraordinary!!!

“Newsies” first dress rehearsal

Shane Ann — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:26:11 +0000

Well, that was a lot of fun! Last night was the first dress rehearsal of the Broadway production of “Newsies” and I got tickets for my NYU Graduate Acting students and the students from my private classes to come and see it. (I’m the dialect coach so the Company Manager gave me free tickets to the production for my students. Nice!) They students LOVED it. It was the first run through with orchestra, and costumes, and microphones and everything else so I was expecting some stops but there were none. It’s soooooo good. Oh my gosh. The dancing is not to be believed. The dancing is on par with “Westside Story”. The new book tells such a powerful story. And the music and lyrics are inspiring. Tonight is the Invited Dress. Seize the Day!!

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A Different “Hedda Gabler”

Shane Ann — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:51:26 +0000

This last weekend, I saw a fascinating production called “The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler written by Jeff Whitty. Jeff was my student at NYU in the Graduate Acting program and I still remember the first play he wrote. It was for “Free Play” which is a Third Project where the students write, produce and act in their own productions. I remember thinking – “this actor can write; he has a unique talent”. A few years later he won the Tony Award for the book of the Broadway production of “Avenue Q”! In addition to being a wonderful writer, Jeff is also a wonderful actor and he played Hedda in this production which was held in the producer’s loft. Actors talked to the audience before and after the show and we had dinner at intermission. I love this kind of theatre. The production is produced by EPBB (Exit Pursued by a Bear – all of you Shakespeare lovers will appreciate that.) The only way you can get a ticket is if you know Jeff or one of the actors but I think it is possible that the production will get a life somewhere else. Hope so.

Kevin Spacey at NYU Graduate Acting

Shane Ann — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 19:57:55 +0000

So last week Kevin Spacey was the guest speaker at NYU Graduate Acting. He was VERY entertaining, as well as informative. He is currently finishing an international tour of the Old Vic’s production of “Richard III” out at BAM. He was the perfect person to talk to the students because he had so many stories to tell about his experiences on Broadway and in film. He did a wonderful imitation of Jack Lemmon, which had us falling on the floor. His challenges at the Old Vic were interesting to hear and also very inspiring. Anything is possible – even an American running the Old Vic.

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“Mary Poppins” on Tour

Shane Ann — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:13:03 +0000

Working as the dialect coach with the new touring company of “Mary Poppins” has been a joy. I was in Charleston, South Carolina for the final dress and first two previews and the audience’s reaction was exciting to watch and hear. The extraordinary cast is headed by Rachel Wallace as Mary and Case Dilliard as Bert and directed by the incomparable Anthony Lyn. The rehearsal/tech schedule was a killer. It seemed like as soon as one technical problem was solved, another popped up. Well, Mary flies, Bert dances upside down from the ceiling, the nursery comes up and down a half dozen times, kites fly, and on and on. It’s a tech heavy show. And then there’s the singing and dancing which is jaw dropping awesome!! At every preview the company received “bravos” after “Supercal” and “Step in Time” and standing ovations during the curtain calls. Such a joyous production. Hope it comes to a town near you.

First Rehearsal of “Newsies”

Shane Ann — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:09:04 +0000

I don’t think it gets any more exciting than this! First day of rehearsals for the Broadway bound production of “Newsies”. The creative team is the same as it was for the Paper Mill Playhouse last summer with the talented Jeff Calhoun directing again. Most of the actors are the same including Jeremy Jordan starring as Jack Kelly. The excitement level in the rehearsal room was electric. Everyone is thrilled to be part of this show and to have a chance to share it with a larger audience. I was sitting across from Alan Mencken (Music) who won his eleventh Grammy on Sunday night. Eleven! And later I talked to Jack Feldman (writer of the fantastic lyrics) and he said there are three new songs. I can’t wait to hear them. Setting the tone for the day, with his enthusiasm, excitement and genuine love for this project, was Thomas Schumacher, President of Disney Theatricals. If you weren’t brimming with joy before he spoke to the company, you definitely were after he finished. I wanted to stand up and say “Seize the Day” but good sense prevailed, and I didn’t!

Charles Baker, Ethan Baum, Tamara Young, Tia James, Julie Kilzer liked this post

Private Classes

Shane Ann — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:27:56 +0000

Well my new private class is wonderful. The students started in October and already the difference in their voice/speech is quite amazing. I can’t remember having a class that picked up the material this quickly. They are so responsive to the work. I really have to stay on my toes. They ask great questions – I mean really great questions. It makes me stop and think because I want to be sure I answer in the best possible way. It is so exciting to see actors learning tools that will help them to get professional work and to see that they realize it’s value. I am, indeed, fortunate to get to teach them.