KTS Webinar #25: The Dialects of Gender and Sexual Orientation

In this webinar, we will share contemporary research on the expression of gender identity and sexual-orientation as a “dialect.” We will demonstrate examples of voice and speech work that we have used to empower the LGBTQIA actor and non-actor to express their identity in performance and presentation. The webinar will include time for discussion of questions that arise from the work, including but not limited to:

• Can voice and speech work advocate for the expression of the performer’s gender and sexual-orientation in performance?
• Can considering gender and sexual-orientation expression as “accent” and “dialect” help us encourage the actor to bring their whole self to the creation of a character?
• How has work with LGBTQIA clients formed and informed these questions?
• What do we think about being asked to help a non-LGBTQIA actor portray an LGBTQIA character? Or to help an LGBTQIA actor “pass” as a non-LGBTQIA character?
• How can non-LGBTQIA coaches and teachers mentor LGBTQIA coaches when working with the community?
• What are some current positive and negative casting trends, and ways forward in representation?

This webinar will be geared towards actors who identify as LGBTQIA and the voice teachers and coaches working with them. Attendees will come away with an enhanced understanding of the extent to which vocal behaviors contribute to self-expression and character creation.

Adriano Cabral is Assistant Professor of Voice and Movement at the University of Nevada, Reno. They hold their BA in Musical Theatre from Rhode Island College and MFA in Theatre Performance from Arizona State University. They are a certified teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework® and Knight-Thompson Speechwork. Professional coaching credits include Arvada Center for Arts and Humanities and the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Specialties include LGBTQ+ actor training, Reiki, bodywork, trans voice. Publications: Here’s How to Teach Voice and Communication Skills to Transgender Women from Plural Publishing. Affiliations: VASTA (Board Member), ATHE, AEA (EMC). www.adriano-cabral.com

Diane Robinson is a voice coach who works with gender diverse adults and children, and the wellness professionals who serve them, to construct and express gender identity in voice and speech. In addition to individual and group lessons, Diane trains clinicians working with gender diverse adolescents, and presents nationally on gender and voice. She has completed training with Northwestern University, WPATH, and Supporting Gender Diverse Speakers: A Course for Voice Clinicians.

Recent creative work includes performing with Chicago Dramatists and Piven Theatre Workshop, leading accent improv workshops at Second City, dialect coaching for NBC’s Chicago Fire and Chicago theater company Blue Bird, and coaching college productions at Roosevelt, Columbia College Chicago, Trinity, LSU, Cal State Long Beach and UTEP. Diane holds an MFA in Acting from the University of California, Irvine, and is a member of WPATH and VASTA and Actors Equity. She’s a certified Fitzmaurice Voicework® teacher and has completed KTS Experience Speech, Experiencing Accents and Phonetics Intensive. She can be reached at diane@chicagovoicecenter.com