Character voices (intensive)
Time: 10:30 - 17:30
Location: Keeley Street
Choose a start date
- Course Code: DMB041
- Dates: 05/04/25 - 06/04/25
- Time: 10:30 - 17:30
- Taught: Sat-Sun, Daytime
- Duration: 2 sessions
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: David Thorpe
Course Code: DMB041
Choose a start date
Duration: 2 sessions
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Learning how to create and recall unique character voices for use in all areas of performance for stage, screen and studio including staged plays and stand-up comedy, film and TV, radio drama and animation. This course will be delivered in the media studio.
What will we cover?
The main elements involved in creating character voices
How physicality informs a character’s voice
How to accurately imitate existing voices
How to build new characters voices from scratch
Where to get ideas from for new characters
Techniques on how to retain and recall your newborn characters
How to look after your voice.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Recognise and work with a range of approaches for building characters
Name and work vocally with the main elements of a character voice
Create and catalogue unique character voices for stage, for screen and for studio
Have a good understanding of your vocal range, abilities and potential.
Have a good understanding of the different demands for voice on stage, on screen and in the recording studio
Have a vocal warm up that can be adapted for character and medium
Have knowledge of how to look after your voice and avoid damage.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Character voice work is considered an advanced skill. To enrol, you should have completed at least one of the following courses: Voiceovers, Acting for Radio, Radio Presenting, OR have other relevant experience/training in acting or voice work. You should also be able to:
Speak English fluently and clearly
Read a script
Give and receive constructive feedback
Be willing to play vocally
Take your own notes
If you are new to voice classes please take a moment to read our
full sequence of voice and speech classes at City Lit (click here) before choosing.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor explanation and demonstration
Listening to and discussing audio samples
Practise exercises individually and in pairs
Recording and playing back your work
This course will be delivered in our media studio.
As part of the course content, your tutor may record your image for initial and ongoing assessment purposes. You are entitled to decline to participate in the recording of your image.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No. Recorded material MAY be made available via Google Classroom at the end of the course in accordance with our privacy policies and data protection regulations.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Narration skills
Acting for radio (various levels, depending on your experience)
Accents - various courses covering a range of accents in spoken English
Advanced Character Voice
Please refer to our
full sequence of voice and speech classes at City Lit (click here) as you consider which area you would like to study next.
David Thorpe was born in Sheffield, grew up on the Isle of Wight, and has lived in London all his adult life. He has appeared in numerous plays in rep and on tour, including as The Fool in a production of King Lear directed by Jonathan Miller. David has also devised and performed three one-man shows, Confessions of a Toytown Revolutionary, This Way Up! and l Demand A Recount! In 2020 he released an album of his songs and spoken word entitled Trickle-down. Twice a member of the BBC Radio Drama Company, David has been heard in over a hundred radio plays and was a presenter at BBC World Service for 5 years. He has worked in many areas of audio - ADR, ELT, Audio Guides, Animations, Games, Commercials, etc. - but now mostly narrates audiobooks (over 700 so far) for which he has won various awards. Dave has taught radio acting and audio work in a number of drama schools and centres. He now teaches exclusively at City Lit., where he hosts Voiceover courses from beginners to advanced level.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.