Why hire a dialect designer?

With a dialect designer, a production will get much more than a specific sound for a specific character. Working with the directorial team or playwright, Roy Sound Action can create a sound that is tailored to the production, including the actors and target audience. When doing devised work, dialect design can do much for setting the ambiance of the production. For improvised works, the actors receive training in all aspects of a dialect, rather than line-specific instruction. A dialect designer can also help highlight and improve cultural representation in productions, by educating cast and crew on linguistic and cultural variations pertinent to the production. A large portion of the stress placed on directorial staff can be reduced or removed by the inclusion of a dialect designer. 

Incorporating Dialect Design In Your Production

"How do I bring a dialect design into my show?" 

Roy Sound Action teaches dialect before the lines are memorized, for highest quality and effect in any production, be it devised, musical, or improvised. For the best quality dialect and sound in your production, including dialect design in auditions, rehearsals and design meetings are most effective. As part of auditions, August G. Roy can "workshop" a dialect with the prospective cast, giving a basic rundown of dialect requirements in the show. This allows her to indicate to directorial staff who would be best suited to the dialects, and who has potential to learn dialect quickly and effectively in the rehearsal period.  Additional workshops may be held for actors and understudies prior to rehearsals to aid in preparation and memorization by helping the actors find the sound at their own pace. Once rehearsals, August G. Roy can be on-site to answer pop-up questions, train actors present when not needed on stage, and make notes for the actors on areas they will want to review. These notes are best given in person at the end of a rehearsal, or at the beginning of the following rehearsal. The rate of acquisition can be drastically improved by this support. Often, instruction is no longer necessary and few notes are given after 5-10 rehearsals. 

"How can I include this in my budget?"

Roy Sound Action offers so many tools to theatre staff and performers, and the options can seem overwhelming. Ultimately, meeting the needs of the production, the staff and the performers is key. By encouraging the success of students in academic productions, effectively utilizing time in any production, and supporting required movements, Roy Sound Action can be an efficient way to address many issues. With rates specialized for the production and performers, individuals and groups, Roy Sound Action can include multiple services in a single contract. Discuss your needs with August G. Roy to find the right combination of tools to take your production to the next level of excellence. For more information on rates and contracts, contact Roy Sound Action.

Responses & Reviews

90% of clients and students had increased interest in the subject taught in my classes, according to anonymous surveys from 2018-2020, and 70% of those surveyed said they felt they were much more open minded at the end of their sessions compared to the beginning.