Episode 29 - Find Your Authentic Voice with Rena Cook

In Episode 29 of Sally’s Performing Arts Lab Podcast I talk with world class vocal coach Rena Cook whose new book, Empower Your Voice: Women In Business, Politics And Life comes out in February. I’m your podcast host, Sally Adams. Every week I talk to people about creating original work for a live audience.

This week my guest, Rena Cook, shares her vocal expertise. There are very few people on the planet with Rena's skill and training as a vocal coach but her resume goes much deeper than that. Rena is an actor, director, theatre professor, and a great friend. Rena’s new book comes out in February. You’ll find Empower Your Voice: Women In Business, Politics And Life on Amazon.com. And, as a side note, Rena’s last book became a fought over resource among my drama teacher friends. Here’s the link to: Voice and the Young Actor by Rena Cook.

Rena and I talk about why you should practice breathing (don’t laugh, it’s really important, and I’m being serious). We also talk about developing your authentic voice as a separate entity from your familiar voice. We talk about other stuff, too: Voicing game characters, and why women in politics need to pay attention to developing their voices. And yes, I can’t stop talking about the Oprah Winfrey Golden Globe speech. Michelle Obama gets a mention as well. Rena’s a ton of fun and she knows her stuff. If you care whether people want to listen to you I recommend you listen to this episode. You can find more on Rena’s website, myvocalauthority.com. Be sure and listen until the end of the interview for Concise Advice from the Interview, and Words of Wisdom from George.

Thanks for subscribing. I could still use a few more reviews on iTunes. Thanks to Beck, George, and Pat for your iTunes reviews. You can also send an email to Sally@sallypal.com. Your ideas keep great conversations coming every Monday evening. Check out sallypal.com/join for the free 20-page theatre resource. It’s a glossary of live performance support you’ll want for your show. I’m working on an additional performing arts insert. I’m interested in knowing what you’d like to have as a resource. Do you need more information about venues? Do you want to know how to put butts in seats on the cheap? Would you like some ideas to help you connect with other creators? If there are things you want included in the Creator’s Notebook, let me know by sending an email to sally@sallypal.com! I read them all… myself.

 

Concise Advice from the Interview is a short version of tips from my guest, Vocal Authority Rena Cook. Here are 11 important bits of advice:

11 Practice deep breathing every day because breathing is everything

10 Start from an authentic place in order to own your voice

9 Don’t confuse your authentic voice with your familiar voice

8 To be effective, your vocal energy must come from deep within your abdomen. If you project energy from your belly, you will speak with authenticity

7 Pay attention to how your favorite speakers express their thoughts

6 Warm your body up to release “habitual” tension

5 On the day you know you will be speaking to an audience, engage in deep central breathing and warming up of your body

4 If you want to be at the height of speaking effectiveness, you have to really, really work and train intentionally

3 Make space in your mouth

2 Relax your body

1 Practice, practice, practice

Check out the blog, SallyPAL.com, for articles and podcast episodes. You can be part of the momentum that’s building. Get a FREE Creator’s Notebook insert at SallyPAL.com/join.Thank you for sharing, subscribing, reviewing, joining, and thank you for listening. I want you to pursue your dream to have your work on the stage in front of a live audience. It’s scary, but SallyPAL is here with resources, encouragement, and a growing community of people like us. I’m Sally and this is SallyPAL (the P-A-L in PAL stands for Performing Arts Lab). 

If you download and listen to the podcast on your drive to work, or fall asleep to my online obsessions like my sister does, let me know you’re out there. I want to help you create original shows for a live audience. All the performances you’ve seen on stage once lived only in someone’s imagination. Now, it’s your turn to speak with authority!