Sara Becker

Voice & Text Coach, Director, and Educator

(she/hers)

 

E-mail: beckers@uncsa.edu

​

American Players Theatre, Spring Green, Wisconsin

(2004, 2005, 2011-2014, 2016- to present)

 

Director of Voice and Text (2018-present)

Voice and Text Coach (2005, 2011, 2012-2014, 2016-2018)

Apprentice Acting Company Development Training (2013, 2014)

Assistant Vocal Coach to Susan Sweeney (2004):

 

Responsibilities include:

• Leadership and hiring of high-level staff of Voice and Text department,

• Collaboration with directors on how the language of the play is used,

• Designed training curriculum for Apprentice Company (2013, 2014, 2018-2019, 2022),

• Taught vocal usage and language to Apprentice Company (2013, 2014, 2018-2019, 2022),

• Created Assistant Voice and Text position to train future coaches,

• Research and compilation of accent and dialect material,

• Helping the actors to fully realize the language through private work sessions and attending runs,

• Working with actors on the basics of healthy vocal usage.

 

 

Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, Oregon

(2007- 2010, 2012, 2016)

 

Voice and Text Director: Hamlet (2016)

As You Like It (2012)

Throne of Blood, American Night (2010)

Don Quixote, Much Ado about Nothing (2009) Assistant Voice and Text Director under David Carey (2012) Assistant Voice and Text Director under Andrew Wade (2008)

Assistant Voice and Text Director under Scott Kaiser, Head of Voice and Text (2007, 2008):

​

Responsibilities at this Tony award winning classical repertory company include:

• Consultation with actors on meaning, pronunciation, scansion, imagery, rhetorical devices, vocal production, speech style, and the integration of company Alexander work,

• Taught sessions of weekly skills class for acting company,

• Collaboration on script development in rehearsals,

 

• Providing feedback and support to meet the vocal challenges of an 1200 seat amplification- free house,

• Private coaching with members of the acting company.

 

 

 

TEXT/VOCAL/DIALECT COACHING

 

2024

American Players Theatre, WI

King Lear                                                        Tim Ocel, dir.

 

GUTHRIE THEATRE, MN

A Brittle Glory: The Henriad Three Play Cycle                     Joe Haj, dir.

Richard II

Henry IV part I and II

Henry V

 

Great Lakes Theatre/Idaho Shakespeare Festival/Lake Tahoe Shakespeare

(co-production)

Dialect Coach:

The Merry Wives of Windsor                          Terri McMahon, dir.

 

 

 

 

2023

​

American Players Theatre, WI

Romeo and Juliet                                            John Langs, dir.

Merry Wives of Windsor                                 Terri McMahon, dir.

 

A Contemporary Theatre, ACT Seattle,WA

A Christmas Carol                                          John Langs, dir.

 

 

2022

​

American Players Theatre, WI

Hamlet                                                            James Devita, dir.

Love’s Labour’s Lost                                      Brenda Devita, dir.

 

 

2021

​

American Players Theatre, WI

The Taming of the Shrew                              Shana Cooper, dir.

An Illiad                                                          John Langs, dir.

Cymbeline                                                      Marti Lyons, dir.

​

2020

​

American Players Theatre, WI

and PBS WisCONSIN 

“Out of the Woods” Series 2020:

​

Julius Caesar                                                  Stephen Brown-Fried, dir.

Cymbeline                                                      Marti Lyons, dir.

Overruled (GB Shaw)                                     Kiera Fromm, dir.

Dark Lady of the Sonnets (GB Shaw)            Kiera Fromm, dir.

Swan Song (Chekhov)                                     Kiera Fromm, dir.

Turn of the Screw                                            James DeVita, dir.

 

Voice and Text Team:

The Cannon Project                                        Various directors

 

Clarence Brown Theatre

Hamlet                                                            John Sipes, dir.

 

 

 

2019

​

American Players Theatre, WI

A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur                  Robynn Rodriguez, dir.

Macbeth                                                          James Devita, dir.

Book of Will                                                    Tim Ocel, dir.

 

Clarence Brown Theatre, TN

King Charles III                                              John Sipes, dir.

 

The Alley Theatre, TX

Twelfth Night                                                  Jonathan Moscone, dir.

 

 

2018

​

American Players Theatre, WI

The Recruiting Officer                                    Bill Brown, dir.

Measure for Measure                                      Risa Brainin, dir.

Exit the King                                                   Tim Ocel, dir.

 

AD Players, TX

Best of Enemies                                      Kim Tobin, dir. 

Lillies of the Field                                   Kevin Dean, dir.

​

2017

​

Sheboygan Arts CENTER, WI

The Unexpected Man                                      Laura Gordon, dir.

​

American Players Theatre, WI

Three Sisters                                                   Bill Brown, dir.

A View from the Bridge                                  Tim Ocel, dir.

A Flea in Her Ear                                           David Frank, dir.

The Unexpected Man                                     Laura Gordon, dir.

 

Moody Center for the Arts, TX

An Illiad                                                          Rob Kimbro, dir.

 

Classical Theatre Company, TX

Mrs. Warren’s Profession                               Julia Traber, dir.

 

 

 

2016

​

American Players Theatre, WI

Endgame                                                         Aaron Posner, dir.

Arcadia                                                           James Bohnen, dir.

 

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Hamlet                                                            Lisa Peterson, dir.

 

 

2015

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Illinois Shakespeare Festival, IL

Love’s Labour’s Lost                                      Curt Tofteland, dir.

Richard II                                                        Robert Quinlin, dir.

 

Classical Theatre Company, TX

Henry V                                                                       Julia Traber, dir.

 

 

 

2014

​

American Players Theatre, WI

The Importance of Being Earnest                   Bill Brown, dir.

 

Travesties                                                        Bill Brown, dir.

 

Playmakers Rep, NC

Private Lives                                                   Sean Daniels, dir.

 

 

2013

​

American Players Theatre, WI

All My Sons                                                     Bill Brown, dir.

 

2012

​

American Players Theatre, WI

The Admirable Crichton                                 Ken Albers, dir.

Shakespeare’s Will                                          Brenda DeVita, dir

 

Oregon Shakespeare Festival, OR

As You Like It                                                  Jessica Thebus, dir

​

Assistant Voice and Text Director under David Carey:

Henry V                                                           Joseph Haj, dir.

 

The Alley Theatre, TX

The Seagull                                                     Gregory Boyd, dir

 

 

 

2011

​

American Players Theatre, WI

Cure at Troy                                                    David Frank, dir.

 

The Alley Theatre, TX

Ether Dome                                                     Michael Wilson, dir.

Pygmalion                                                       Anders Cato, dir

 

 

 

2010

​

Oregon Shakespeare Festival, OR

American Night                                               Jo Bonney, dir.

 

Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) New Wave Festival and

the Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Throne of Blood                                              Ping Chong, dir.

 

Guthrie Theatre, MN and

The Acting Company, NY

Co Voice and Text Director:

Romeo and Juliet                                            Penelope Metropulos, dir.

 

 

 

2009

​

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Much Ado About Nothing                               Kate Buckley, dir.

Don Quixote                                                    Laird Williamson, dir.

​

Clarence Brown Theatre, TN

Love’s Labour’s Lost                                      John Sipes, dir.

 

Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, WI

Pride and Prejudice                                        JR Sullivan, dir.

 

Guthrie Theatre, MN and

The Acting Company, NY

Co-Voice and Text Director:

Henry V                                                           Davis McCallum, dir.

 

 

 

2008

​

Colorado Shakespeare Festival

Resident Voice and Text Coach:

Henry VIII                                                       Jim Simmons, dir.

Love’s Labor Lost                                           Gavin Cameron-Webb, dir.

The Three Musketeers                                     Carolyn Howarth, dir.

Macbeth                                                          Lynne Collins, dir.

​

Oregon Shakespeare Festival, OR

Assistant Voice and Text Director under Andrew Wade:

Clay Cart                                                        Bill Rauch, dir.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream                         Mark Rucker, dir..

​

Assistant Voice and Text Director under Scott Kaiser:

Fences                                                             Leah C. Gardiner, dir

Welcome Home, Jenny Sutter                         Jessica Thebus, dir.

 

Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, WI

I am my Own Wife                                           John Langs, dir.

 

Madison Repertory Theatre, WI

Fully Committed                                             Trevin Gay, dir.

 

 

2007

​

Oregon Shakespeare Festival, OR

Romeo and Juliet                                            Bill Rauch, dir.

 

Madison Repertory Theatre, WI

Talley’s Folly                                                  Richard Corley, dir.

Anna Christie                                                  Richard Corley, dir.

 

2006

​

Madison Repertory Theatre, WI

I am my own Wife                                           Roger Bennington, dir.

 

 

 

2005

​

American Players Theatre, WI

The Play’s the Thing                                       David Frank, dir.

Tartuffe                                                           David Frank, dir.

 

Madison Repertory Theatre, WI

Moon for the Misbegotten (assistant)              Richard Corley, dir.

​

2004

​

American Players Theatre, WI

Voice and Text Assistant to Susan Sweeney:

Playboy of the Western World                        David Frank, dir.

London Assurance                                          Peter Amster, dir.

Twelfth Night                                                  Bill Brown, dir.

Cymbeline                                                       Kate Buckley, dir.

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​

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ACADEMIC VOCAL/TEXT/DIALECT COACHING

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University of North Carolina School of the Arts

 

As You Like It (Taub Musical)                         Andy Paris, dir.

If Pretty Hurts, Ugly...*                                  Claire Font, dir.

Roe                                                                 Acadia Barrengos, dir.

All’s Well that Ends Well                               Andy Paris, co-dir.

 

One Act Evening                                           Carl Foresman, dir.

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner       Quin Gordon, dir.

The Miser                                                       Jason Bohon, dir.

Top Girls                                                         Abigail Holland, dir.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream                       Cameron Knight, dir.

The Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls              Scott Zigler, dir.

 

*dialect assistant

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University of Houston Selected

Shows include:

Man and Superman                                         James Bonan, dir.

Animal Farm                                                   Bill Brown, dir.

Fuente Ovejuna                                               Keith Byron Kirk, dir.

Beaux Stratagem                                             Adam Noble,dir.

Philadelphia Story                                          Carolyn Boone,dir.

The Crucible                                                   Gus Kaikkonen,dir.

Our Lady of 121st St.                                       Keith Byron Kirk, dir.

Richard III                                                      Jack Young, dir.

Rocky Horror                                                  Paul Hope, dir.

Big Love                                                          Leslie Swackhamer, dir.

 

Rice University Shepherd School of Music

​

Die Fledermaus                                              Edward Berkeley, Stage director Richard Bado, Conductor

​

University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Rover                                                        Tony Simotes, dir.

Pride and Prejudice                                        Barbara Clayton, dir.

Lucky Stiff                                                       Tony Simotes, dir.

Last Night at Ballyhoo                                    Norma Saldivar, dir.

 

Edgewood College, WI

Cabaret                                                           Phil Martin, dir.

 

Verona Area High School, WI

Noises Off                                                       Steve Nibbe, dir.

 

 

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NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT

 

Cymbeline

American Players Theatre, WI 2020-2021

Co-adapted with Marti Lyons an eight person all female identifying telling of Shakespeare’s play. Multiple workshops culminated in a premier at American Players Theatre in 2021, and ongoing licensed to Julliard Creative Classrooms

 

Love’s Labor’s Won

Illinois Shakespeare Festival, IL Oregon Shakespeare Festival, OR Black Swan Lab for New Works 2012-2016

Co-creator alongside of Scott Kaiser of this sequel to Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost. Written in verse, to be workshopped at the 2012 Black Swan Lab for the Development of New Plays.

 

Throne of Blood

Oregon Shakespeare Festival, OR 2010

Contributed to Script Workshops in the development of this world premier adaptation of Kurosawa’s epic film, together with Obie Winner Ping Chong. This traveling production opened at Oregon Shakespeare Festival before traveling to BAM: The Brooklyn Academy of Music.

 

American Night

Oregon Shakespeare Festival, OR Fall of 2009-Spring 2010

Collaborated on the development of this project with Chicano/Latino performance group, Culture Clash. It was rehearsed and performed with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival as part of their US History Cycle Playwright Commission Initiative, and later traveled to LaJolla Playhouse, Denver Center, and others.

 

Don Quixote

Oregon Shakespeare Festival, OR 2009

Participated in the development of Pulitzer Prize-nominee Octavio Solis’ adaptation of the epic novel; the first new play to be premiered in the outdoor stage in the seventy five year history of the organization.

 

The Only Thing

Madison Repertory Theatre, WI 2006-2007

Performed and participated in the refinement of Oscar-winner Eric Simonson’s play from a two week workshop process through to its world premiere. This project later evolved into the Broadway show, Lombardi.

 

Once Upon a River

Hedgerow Theatre, PA

2002

Dramaturged, co-wrote and performed this elementary school outreach performance project on Pennsylvania history. Through grant seeking to private foundations, helped to find the funding to enable schools to visit the theatre for performances.

 

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Professional WORKSHOPS TAUGHT

​

• First Stage Milwaukee, 2023

  • “Acting is like…..-Active image making in Shakespeare”

• First Stage Milwaukee, 2022

  • “Working with the Stage on Stage”

• American Players Theatre, 2021

  • “APT Play Talk Cymbeline”

    • Hosted question and answer session with Shakespeare scholar Dr. Valerie Wayne

    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4iWKDPYses&t=678s

 

• Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (HVSF), 2020

  • “Shaken and Stirred” Zoom Member Cocktail Hour

    • “Inside an Actor’s Process- A Look at Richard III” with Davis McCallum and Mark Bedard

 

• VASTA Mentorship Committee Webinar, 2020

  • “Negotiating Contracts” – Panel Member

• STATERA National Conference, 2019

  • Presenter: “Small Practices that Encourage Collaboration”

• Texas Educational Theatre Association Conference (TETA),

  • Master Teacher, “A Kinesthetic approach to teaching Shakespeare” (2019, 2018)

• American Players Theatre, WI

  • Member of Apprentice Company Development Team (2022, 2019, 2018, 2014, 2012)

          Head of Apprentice Company Development (2013)

​

• Oregon Shakespeare Festival, OR

  • Multiple Acting Company Development Workshops (2010-2012)

• Door Shakespeare Company, WI

  • “Bravely Speaking Shakespeare’s Text” Series of workshops to Intern Company (2012)

 

• Lakefront Brewery, WI

  • “Great Big Healthy Voice Usage!” Workshops to Tour Guides (2017)

 

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PUBLICATION

​

Playscripts:

Cymbeline: an all-female adaptation

By Marti Lyons and Sara Becker

Licensed for use by Julliard Creative Classroom, a division of the Julliard School

 

Professional Journal:

“A Review of Shakespeare’s Wordcraft, by Scott Kaiser.” VSR: Voice and Speech Review (Issue 6, Summer 2009).

 

Webcontent:

Hagopian, Antony. The URTA Q&A with Sara Becker (Weblog post 2013) https://urtablog.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/the-urta-qa-with-sara- becker/

Podcast Guest Interviews:

Rooms and Reckonings (2020)

Magazine Interviews:

 

“Back to School After a Year of Hard Lessons, by Daniella Ignacio” American Theatre Magazine (November 16th, 2021).

https://tinyurl.com/3wsjnmpb

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VOICEOVER Credits

NPR (To the Best of Our Knowledge) MCI

EMC Arts Hellenbrand Water Farm and Fleet

T-Mobile

Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Salvation Army

Dubuque Bank & Trust JobCo

Arizona Bank & Trust Riverside Community Bank Chevy Chase Bank American Girl

Demco

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EDUCATION

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI MFA – Acting (2006)

Voice/Text/Dialect training under Susan Sweeney

Fordham University, New York, NY BA –Theatre Performance (1999)

Voice training under Sarah Felder, Kate (nee Wilson) Mare, Elizabeth Smith

 

ADDITIONAL TRAINING:

“3A Equity Framework” “The Power of Perception”

Sarah Bellamy at Penumbra Center for Racial Healing, 2021

 

“Whose Shakespeare?: Exploring Race and Shakespeare in 2020”

Ayanna Thompson with Elm Shakespeare Company, CT “Decolonizing Speech and Actor Training”

HB Studios, NY (2020)

Amy Mihyang Ginter, Jacqueline Springfield, Joy Coronel, Josh Moser

 

“Theater Voice & Speech Training Methods for Working with Gender-Diverse Clients” Chicago Voice Center (2020)

Diane Robinson

 

Patsy Rodenburg, “The Right to Speak”

Three Day Workshop Michael Howard Studios; New York, NY (2020) Mental Health First Aid Certified

Through National Council of Behavioral Health 8 Hour certification (2019)

 

Richard Armstrong “Extended Vocal Technique” New York, NY Weekend Workshop with Richard Armstrong (2012)

 

Roy Hart Centre Artistique International Malérargues, France

October Month Long Intensive with Carol Mendelsohn, Saule Ryan (2008) Five-day workshop with Carol Mendelsohn, Saule Ryan (2005)

 

 

Fitzmaurice Voice Workshop San Francisco, CA

5-day workshop
Catherine Fitzmaurice, Saul Fitzmaurice, Cynthia Bassham (2007)

 

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Shakespeare Theatre DC

Academy for Classical Acting Washington, DC Summer Intensive:

Michael Kahn, Floyd King, Philip Goodwin, Catherine Weidner, Kate Wilson, Hal Holbrook, Brad Allen Waller, Christopher Cherry

(1999)

 

AWARDS

 

Ross M. Lence Teaching Excellence Award University of Houston

Awarded 2014

 

Provost Travel Grant for Faculty Development University of Houston

Awarded 2013

 

Roy Hart Theatre Scholarship

Centre Artistique International Roy Hart Awarded 2008

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Gertrude Johnson Scholarship for Excellence in Voice University of Wisconsin-Madison

Consecutive winner 2004, 2005

 

Helen Herman Scholarship for Excellence in Theatre University of Wisconsin-Madison

Winner 2005

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PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

 

Voice & Speech Trainer’s Association, Inc. (VASTA) STATERA Women in the Arts

North Carolina Theatre Arts Educators (NCTAE) Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) Actor’s Equity Association (AEA) must-join status Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG)

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SKILLS

 

Strong Proficiency in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) Advanced Yoga Practices (Bikram, Vinyasa, Ashtanga and Hatha) Proficiency in Stage Combat (All weapons and hand-to-hand) Dance (Alvin Ailey American Dance Center School)

 

Epi-Pen: trained in usage

 

Volunteer Work

 

NAMI- National Alliance on Mental Illness