Indiana Wesleyan University’s artistic director of theatre and associate professor Dr. Katie Wampler completed a Teaching Certification Program led by master voice and Shakespeare teacher Patsy Rodenburg. The 13-month program incorporates a series of exclusive workshops featuring world class instructors focusing on how to best utilize body alignment, breath and voice.
Rodenburg, Head of Voice at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, holds her program at the renowned Michael Howard Studios in New York City. The Teaching Certification Program is a rigorous, intensive program designed to equip individuals to teach vocal self-development to others.
On July 19, 2019, Wampler received her Registered Rodenburg Teacher Certificate, authenticating her experience with Rodenburg and her expertise in vocal production theories. According to Wampler, the program enhanced both her professional and personal development.
“Patsy worked with me personally on my own body alignment and how to have a deeper capacity for breath,” said Wampler. “I enjoyed doing the work and seeing improvements in my own body. This work helps you find alignment for your body along with a full breath and voice. Preparing for the delivery of a performance or presentation is just as important as preparing the content.”
During her time in the program, Wampler learned how to actively apply Rodenburg’s processes to her own classes at IWU. Wampler plans to incorporate this craft work into her theatre and communications classes, including her Beginning Acting, Theatre Management and Principles of Communication classes.
“I’m excited to incorporate this craft into my classes because I’m passionate about empowering people to be who they were created to be,” said Wampler. “Because of this program, I have been taught the craft of working with people to begin the journey of knowing who they really are physically and vocally.”
Wampler has been serving as a professor and artistic director at IWU for nine years. This fall the IWU Theatre Department will perform Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Under Wampler’s teaching, students will have the opportunity to apply Rodenburg’s theories as well as develop the techniques of performing with a British accent.
IWU’s Fall 2019 performances of Pride and Prejudice are scheduled for Oct. 31 through Nov. 10.
For ticket information, visit https://www.indwes.edu/events/onstage/.
For more information on IWU’s Theatre Department, visit https://www.indwes.edu/undergraduate/division-of-communication-and-theatre/bs-theatre.