Ethelyn Friend

This course introduces students to the theories and practices of the Roy Hart Theatre of France, pioneers in the discovery of the potential range of the human voice and its intimate connection to the psyche of the individual. With the possibility of an eight octave voice held forward, we explore a wide range of sounds, from beautiful to ugly, male to female, human to animal. The aim is to search for the strongest links between the voice and the person, and to begin the slow process of reconnecting to the deep sources of sound in the body. No experience is needed, but the curiosity and willingness to play with the voice in a variety of group and individual settings. Saturday evening combines lecture and demonstration with performance in an evening of music which applies the extended voice research of the Roy Hart Theatre to songs from several repertoires including jazz, classical art song and the work of experimental composers including Meredith Monk.

Ethelyn Friend is a member of the Roy Hart Theatre of France–pioneers in the discovery of the potential of the human voice and its relationship to the personality—and teaches voice for Naropa University's groundbreaking MFA Contemporary Performance Program. Her training includes Circle-in-the-Square studio and an MFA in Acting from Brandeis University. As an actor, Ethie has appeared locally in several seasons with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, at the Arvada Center for the Arts, and at Curious Theatre Company, where she was twice recognized by Denver Post's Ovation Award as "Best Actress in a Comedy" (Fuddy Meers, Bright Ideas). Regional credits include Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Boston's New Rep, and a NYC appearance as Cassandra in an aerial production of Troilus & Cressida at the Baryshnikov Arts Center. Ethie has created and toured several original solo music-theatre productions including Songs My Grandmothers Taught Me and, with Gary Grundei, Someone Else's Dream ("Ovation" Nominee "Best Actress in A Musical").