congratulations on enrolling in Speech and Singing for Actors

Thank you for committing to technique-driven training and for bringing your energy and enthusiasm to The Studio. Voice and speech work are crucial to every actor and at the Howard Fine Acting Studio, exploration and refinement of the voice is done through David Coury’s Speech and Singing for Actors (SFA) program. This dynamic program focuses on working the voice through singing, rather than on developing professional singers, and should not be considered a singing course.

Below you will find important information that will help you prepare for and make the most of the course, so please read everything carefully.

COURSE DATES and times

For more information on course dates and times please refer to the Classes page.

Participants will be expected to complete homework outside of course hours, so please leave yourself some free time over the three days.

The venue for this class is the Howard Fine Acting Studio, located at 7 Cozens Street, Brunswick, VIC 3056.

Please note that with all Speech and Singing for Actors classes there is a STRICT NO LATECOMERS policy and that any absenteeism from this intensive 2-day workshop is not permitted, NO EXCEPTIONS. Students that arrive late or miss class will not be permitted to join the class, and we are unable provide a refund on any course fees in this case.

PAYMENT

By this stage of the enrolment process, you should have paid either a deposit, or the full course fee upfront.

If you have only paid the deposit so far, please note that the remaining course fees will be due by the first day of class. 

You can pay the remainder of your course fees by following this link, selecting 'Speech and Singing for Actors Level 1' and then 'Final payment' from the drop down box on the right hand side, and clicking 'enrol now'.  Proceed to the check out to make your final payment. 

PRE-COURSE HOMEWORK

All participants need to learn two songs prior to class commencing:

‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’ and ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’. You can use resources such as iTunes, YouTube and Google for listening to and learning the lyrics for both songs.

EXTRA MATERIALS REQUIRED

In addition to learning the above songs, please bring a laptop computer, iPad, smart phone or similar device with Internet access to class. This is to enable you to work on in-class assignments, both during class and during breaks. Please note that without this equipment your ability to participate in class is greatly hindered.

STUDIO INFORMATION PACK

There are various procedures and guidelines in place here at The Studio in relation to the space and how to utilize it so everyone can enjoy a clean and safe working environment. Please read The Studio Information Pack, which includes information on kitchen use, rehearsal space hire, parking and public transport, etc. You can access it by clicking here. Please take the time to read this carefully, as it will hopefully answer a lot of your questions prior to beginning the course.

STAGE MANAGERS AND PARTICIPANT EXPECTATIONS

Here at The Studio, we rely on the help of everyone in class to keep things running smoothly. In order to assist with this, one or two students will be performing the role of ‘Stage Managers’ in class. The Stage Managers are your main point of contact for class related issues and their duties include:

  • Forwarding messages from the tutor to all participants

  • Sending out homework to participants

  • Making sure The Studio is neat and tidy at all times.

As a participant in class, we will often request your help in order to assist the Stage Managers. We have outlined some basic expectations we have of everyone taking part in classes at The Studio. These expectations are put in place for the benefit of everyone, and help us to ensure that all classes run as smoothly as possible. Therefore, it is greatly appreciated that you adhere to the following:

  • Be on time for every class. If, for some reason, you are running late for class, please let your Stage Managers know.

  • Be prompt in responding to the Stage Managers’ requests, both during and outside of class.

  • Help the Stage Managers at all times when in The Studio. This will often include helping to tidy up the space at the end of each class, putting furniture away, making sure the kitchen area is clean, arranging the chairs neatly in the space and any other cleaning and tidying that may need to be done. With everyone’s help, this can take a minimal amount of time and goes a long way to helping both the Stage Managers and The Studio.

GEt social

Our students are the most important part of the HFAS community, and we love to read your updates, whether it's the scene you're working on in class, some fun you had in rehearsals, or which lessons you're loving. 'Check in' at The Studio, tag us, and use the hashtag #HFAS. We love to hear from our students! You can follow us on social media via the links below (it's also a great way to keep up to date with Studio news!

OTHER THINGS THAT MAY TAKE YOUR INTEREST

 You might like to join our Facebook group, where you can chat and share with the HFAS community.

Get to know your tutor, David Coury, a little more before class commences. David’s website has video and audio of his past work and lots of other things you may find interesting. Have a look at what he’s done, and he’s more than happy to answer any questions you may have in class.

Also, get to know Howard Fine, the Artistic Director of The Studio, a little more. Watch his FilmNut interview with Jeff Schubert and their discussion on technique, the relationship between homework and rehearsal and some of the coaching work he's done with other actors.

Finally, if you have any other questions about this course or The Studio, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to welcoming you to The Studio!