Alternative Methods of Accent and Dialect coaching - and coaching Neurodiverse Actors
Wednesday 18th June 2025, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (London Time)
Ellen Hartely has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company for over eight years - in this session she will explore how an accent coach can develop and deliver alternative (non-IPA) methods for coaching accents and dialects. There will be a particular focus on developing inclusive and accessible practice for all. Not all actors receive accent and dialect training in IPA, or indeed in any other specialist accent teaching method, others find IPA an unhelpful way to learn. Over a career you may need to find effective ways to coach any, and all, of the following: young people, amateur groups, a cast with mixed experience, professional actors with no formal training, or neurodivergent and learning-disabled actors.
After training and working as an actor, Ellen went on to gain an MA in Shakespeare and Theatre from The Shakespeare Institute, and an MA in Professional Voice Practice from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Ellen has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company for over eight years.
Recent work for the RSC includes Voice and Text work on A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Henry IV – Rebellion (Royal Shakespeare Theatre), Hamnet, Romeo and Juliet – Next Generation (Swan Theatre), Julius Caesar, Twelfth Night – First Encounters (National Tours), and Hamlet – Next Generation (The Other Place).
Work for Shakespeare’s Globe includes Voice and Accent work on Princess Essex and Text Consultation on The Taming of the Shrew. Other Voice and Text support for theatre includes The Allesley Silas, Club B2 (Coventry Belgrade), and Crongton Knights (Coventry Belgrade with Derby Theatre & York Theatre Royal).
Voice and Dialect support for theatre includes Becoming Nancy (Birmingham Rep), Of Mice and Men (Birmingham Rep with Leeds Playhouse inc. National Tour) and Freeman (Birmingham Rep, Edinburgh Fringe, National & International Tours).
In addition to her professional work, Ellen has taught on both acting and professional voice practice degree courses up to MFA level. She has taught all areas of voice and text at drama schools including Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, and The Fontainebleau School of Acting.
Ellen has a particular interest in developing and promoting inclusive practice, particularly in relation to supporting a neurodivergent actor’s access to effective text exploration.
🏷️ Price £30 (UK VAT inclusive)
🎥 Recording automatically sent to all who book (even if you cannot attend live)
▶️ Rewatch as many times as you like
📜 Certificate of attendance available
Ellen Hartley
After training and working as an actor, Ellen went on to gain an MA in Shakespeare and Theatre from The Shakespeare Institute, and an MA in Professional Voice Practice from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Ellen has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company for over eight years.
Attend this course for as little as £22 as part of the Voice Professional Training CPD Award Scheme.
Learn MoreSorry, this is an archived short course...
We have plenty of upcoming short courses coming soon. See details of some of them below or look at the full list of short courses.
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3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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