Testimonials
The following are testimonials to our products and services. They refer to Paul's theatre and film dialect-coaching in a broad range of accents and dialects, including Southern, Northern Ireland, Welsh, Yiddish, Deep South, Indian, Liverpool, Cockney, Scottish, and New York. Clients also comment on his call-centre training, his show-specific CDs, and his dialect textbook.
"Paul worked for us on Ride With The Devil as dialect and dialogue coach, developing dialect tapes for all seventy speaking roles, coaching all the actors, and was invaluable in developing a cohesive vocal and dialect design for the US region that was the setting for the film. We had numbers of non-American actors in the film, notably Tom Wilkinson, Simon Baker-Denny, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, (English, Australian and Irish respectively) all of whom needed Southern or Plains dialects. Under Paul's expert coaching they blended marvelously with the American members of the cast. This was Jewel's first film role and in rehearsal, Paul worked with her not only on her dialect, but her whole approach to acting, particularly from the voice and speech perspective.
In addition, Paul was invaluable on set during principal photography in maintaining dialect and ensuring clean, clear speech work, and in annotating each take to assist me and my editor to select the best footage from the voice point of view.
He had a great feel for the language of the film, helping to support the striking style of Daniel Woodrell's novel and James Schamus's screenplay. Many critics praised the film for capturing the romanticism of the era through language, and Paul's contribution through speech, voice and dialect was crucial."
Ang Lee
New York
[Hired Paul as dialect coach on Ride With the Devil, starring Tobey Maguire, Skeet Ulrich, and Jewel Kilcher]
"Your Accents and Dialects for Stage and Screen is a fabulous resource for anyone involved in dialect training for actors - I know of no other contemporary work to compare with its scope and depth. It’s meticulous, exhaustive, and very well organized into a clear and rational step-by-step approach. Those of us with a background in International Phonetics can be grateful that you’ve done so much of the “legwork” for us. This is a book that won’t gather dust on my bookshelf - I shall be consulting it often."
Gillian Lane-Plescia
Leading dialect coach for the theatre and founder of The Dialect Resource
"Being a working actor can be a lonely business, the preparation, the hours of digging to find your character - his soul, his voice - but your comprehensive book linked to the resources on your website and IDEA now make the job seem less isolated. Your meticulous and comprehensive study has given us an invaluable tool with which to tackle our craft. When I was presented with seven characters in Catch 22 I was initially daunted. I am a Brit and here were seven Americans to be presented in their own country. I was lost and overwhelmed... and then I found your book and through your calm and clear guidance, I found their voices. Thank you Paul."
Richard Sheridan Willis
Wrote after using Accents and Dialects for Stage and Screen to prepare for his roles in Catch 22, with the Aquila Theatre Company's national tour, and prior to its New York run.
"In The Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer closed yesterday and I was so proud of the production and of my work. The response from audiences and colleagues was gratifying. Your expertise helped me land this role and helped me evolve in the role. There were Germans in the audiences that stopped me as I left the theater and were astounded that I was not German-born."
Matt Fischel
Worked with Paul by phone in preparation for his audition for the Keen Theatre's production of In The Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer; directed by Carl Forsman; dialect coach, Amy Stoller.
"Accents and Dialects for Stage and Screen is not only a valuable resource for actors, coaches and voice specialists world-wide, but is an excellent training tool as well. Our graduate and undergraduate actors use Paul's clear and comprehensive book as a starting point for building a foundation of knowledge, and for practicing his effective, step-by-step approach to learning accents and dialects. I myself have pulled this book off the shelf many times for quick and easy reference to the accents and dialects I use the most. Thank you Paul!"
Pamela Christian, Ph.D.
Voice and Speech for Performance
Department of Theatre and Dance
The University of Texas at Austin
[Uses Paul's textbook in her classes, and serves as Associate Editor for Texas for the International Dialects of English Archive.]
"Paul is always such a pleasure to work with. It seems that no matter what
I ask of him, no matter how short the time-frame, he is courteous, helpful
and able to make a professional presentation with excellent back-up
materials. When I have Paul on a project, I know that the actors and the
director will all feel confident and supported."
Joe R. Fox III
Vice President of Production
New Theatre Company/Theatre Production, Inc.
Overland Park, KS, USA
[Hired Paul as dialect coach for numerous productions, including Camelot, Father of the Bride, The Scarlet Pimpernel]
"Paul Meier's Accents and Dialects for Stage and Screen is the best available comprehensive system for teaching dialects of English to student actors. The CDs and workbook clearly present thorough and detailed information, and the drills are thoughtfully designed to build skills and confidence. Our BFA acting students who have used Meier's book for productions or classwork have succeeded beautifully."
Professor Ellen Margolis
Department of Theatre & Dance
University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point, USA
[uses Paul's Accents and Dialects for Stage and Screen as the textbook for her dialect class]
"We opened with Dancing at Lughnasa last night and all is going well. I
received great compliments about my (Rose's) accent (apparently the
strongest in the cast), which is not bad considering I am South African and
the rest of the cast local Irish!! I put it all down to your excellent CD — it's great being able to listen to Rose's lines while working on the
computer. I particularly liked the fact that your CD and book made "distance" dialect coaching a real option and certainly just as helpful as visiting a coach, and so much more user friendlyl — listening to my lines while doing other work (on the computer — subliminal coaching!!!)"
Vanessa Hyde
County Waterford
Ireland
[leased Paul's CD for Rose's Donegal dialect in Dancing at Lughnasa]
"Your dialect design for My Fair Lady has been extremely helpful. It was the best single investment we've made in this show. Your astute, enlightening, and actor-friendly comments have been invaluable."
Phil Bratnober
St. Croix Valley Summer Theatre, University of Wisconsin, River Falls, Wisconsin, USA
[leased Paul's CD set when directing My Fair Lady]
"I really want to thank you so much for the great assistance this CD
gave to me while playing Herr Schultz in Cabaret. I was so frightened
of
the experience because I really felt he needed to be very true and
convincing because his journey becomes so tragic. I didn't want to
think about the dialect and I certainly didn't want the audience to
think about it either. However, the whole experience happened in
less
than three weeks. I had to work quickly and your services helped
immensely.
I was years too young for the role (I THINK!) and about 15 years
younger than the woman playing Fraulein Schneider. She is a
respected
actor in the area and I was terrified of looking out of place with
her
and not being able to hold a candle to her stellar performance as
Schneider.
In an email response to a 'best wishes on opening night' email
that the actor playing Fraulein Schneider got from a mutual friend,
she
wrote the following. The actor eventually forwarded it to me herself,
so
I feel comfortable sharing it with you.
'I have a great part. Good songs... But
lemme tell yaJ — James is the excellent one... Oh, my God! He like
blows
me away every night. He is so convincing -- Most of the time I
totally
forget that I'm working with James because I believe the character
so
much. The fact that my character ends up on the side of the Nazis
has
something to do with it, too, probably — but he just breaks my heart — or Herr Schultz is breaking my heart. He's inspiring to play off
of.'
That made my year. I owe much of what she said to the fact that your
dialect coaching (via CD) helped me get past the text, so I could
immerse myself in this fabulous human being's story. What a
wonderful
journey.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."
James Douglass
Rochester, Minnesota, USA
[leased Paul's CD for Herr Schultz's German-Jewish dialect in Cabaret]
"The results from the use of your Tevye dialect CD were phenomenol. Please note that this production was community theatre. We are located just south of the DFW metroplex. One of our cast members' parents thought I had been hired and flown in from New York. A college student came to see me after the show, notepad in hand, wanting to know how I had researched the part and come up with my character. The whole experience was delightful...thanks for offering a service like this!"
Jay Lewis
Dallas/Forth Worth,Texas, USA
[leased Paul's CD for Tevye's Yiddish dialect in Fiddler on the Roof]
"The material is excellent and just what we need. Our company is in the call centre industry and we just won some contracts in the U.K. Although staff are all fluent in English, some of them are having problems understanding specific dialects. Your CDs + text should be a great training aide."
Ms. Lorraine Williams, General Manager
Telepage Limited
Malta
[purchased several of Paul's regional British dialect booklets and CDs to train the call centre operators in her company]
"Well done! I am so excited by your dialect instruction book and CDs. It is the most comprehensive dialect training package that I have run across. It represents a huge amount of work on your part and will save me hours and hours of research and preparation. I am eager to work through it with my students. It is a major contribution to the discipline."
Professor Rena Cook
Tulsa
University of Oklahoma, USA
[uses Paul's Accents and Dialects for Stage and Screen as the textbook for her dialect class]
"I just wanted to let you know that the CD came last week, and it has been a wonderful help to me — not just from a dialect standpoint, but also in helping me to grasp the intricacies of Southern women and culture. I've been to New Orleans and Mississippi, and the statements you make about Southern belles were things I had forgotten, but which became clear to me once again. I deeply appreciate your understanding of and sympathy for Amanda — and your ability to offer suggestions while stressing the integrity of the actors' choices."
Mary Sloan
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
[leased Paul's CD for Amanda's Deep South dialect in The Glass Menagerie]
"I am an actress/teacher/coach in Philadelphia who specializes in dialect work. I recently ordered your Liverpool cd (other than being a Beatle-maniac as a teen, I've had little exposure to it) in preparation for my coaching of Willy Russell's Stags and Hens. Having worked with a number of other tapes and manuals over the years, I want to tell you how much I like yours. I find the IPA transcriptions exceptionally clear and specific, as is your instruction on the CD. "
Lorraine Barrett
Philadelphia, USA
[purchased Paul's booklet/CD set for the Liverpool dialect]
"I've just visited your website [IDEA] for the first time, at the prompting of a
casting director, Carol Dudley (She was told about it by Tom Wilkinson).
This is a brief note to thank you for setting up such a scholarly, thorough
and incredibly useful service. I had to find Hungarian for a BBC Patrick
Leigh Fermor Book at Bedtime - it was 11pm, I was due in the studio in ten
hours, I had had some Hungarian somewhere once but had lent it out years ago
and it never returned. Anyway, you came to the rescue, and I've downloaded
several others since."
Samuel West
London
[wrote after consulting the International Dialects of English Archive (IDEA), which Paul founded and directs]
"Your dialect CD was of immense value. Our American-born Eliza very quickly
achieved an authentic Cockney dialect. The upper class British dialect was
harder for her to achieve so the use of the CD became an essential tool.
The Cockney dialect CD was used by all members of the chorus. As a result I have
most convincing inhabitants of Covent Garden. The Pub scenes are a riot of fun
as cast members created appropriate dialogue to introduce the scenes.
I am so glad that the internet yielded your address and that you were so patient
and helpful in addressing our needs."
Patricia Brady
Penticton, British Columbia, Canada
[leased Paul's CD for Eliza in My Fair Lady]
"Selkie went extremely well! It is in performance three
times a week through the middle of March. The director was very happy with
the dialect work. Everyone loved your tape. It was specific, thorough,
entertaining — everything I could have wanted."
Professor Claudia Anderson
The Theatre School DePaul University
Chicago, USA
[leased Paul's CDs for the Scottish dialects in Selkie]
"We have been using the textbook and cds for several months now and
some of the features have been invaluable. No other dialect text that I'm
aware of demonstrates the IPA as yours does and the John Wells demonstration
is far too complex for my beginners. The instructions for each sound change
are very detailed and cover both sound and physical formation which helps
both aural and kinesthetic learners. The exercises and monologues with their
numbered tags help us focus on the key sounds both in vocal drill work and
transcription and develop naturally from from the introductory material.
I've been very pleased with their progress."
Professor Daydrie Hague
Auburn University, Alabama, USA
[uses Paul's Accents and Dialects for Stage and Screen as the textbook for her dialect class]
"I just discovered your archive website [IDEA] and I wanted to tell you what a WONDERFUL resource it is. I'm an actress working on multiple small roles in "The Heidi Chronicles" and my characters come from Michigan, Tennessee, and New York. I also am a voiceover artist and always need very particular accents in my repertoire. While I own lots of good dialect tapes, none of them have such a full range of regional accents as what I've found on your website. Thanks for putting together this valuable project."
Sarah Green
[wrote after consulting the International Dialects of English Archive (IDEA), which Paul founded and directs]
"Your guidance was great. I had never realized that the New York accent and
the Aussie accent are polar opposites: inflection, nasality, the Aussie
vertical mouth and the flat out of the side of the mouth New
Yorker....nearly everything is different. To eliminate Toni's accent [the Australian actress playing Joy] we're playing Joy's New York Jewish accent
broader than I intended but it works and will be delightful against the
variety of lovely British accents in the rest of the cast. She has an
excellent ear and has done really well to pick it up in only 5 days.
Thank you for everything!"
Vana Nespor
Jakarta, Indonesia
[leased Paul's CD for the New York Jewish character Joy in Shadowlands]
"Your help was invaluable. The play was well-attended, and extremely well-reviewed in the local press. Two people in the audience who were Native American specifically commented on the truthfulness of my accent, saying it lent dignity to the portrayal of the chief. I would recommend your service to anyone, and will call you again when the part requires a regional dialect."
Andrew Brownstein
Washington, D.C., USA
[leased Paul's CD for Chief Bromden in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest produced by the Port City Playhouse, and presented at the Lee Center Stage, Alexandria, VA, USA]
"By the way I received an "A" in the class and on my paper, in which your dialect tapes were a great help. I analyzed Irish, British and American English accents for actors. When I was presenting I tried to do some of the accents for example and the class applauded my efforts, but in time I will be able to do them in front of people with confidence.
This summer I used your tapes to try and reduce a Hispanic girl's accent in order to keep her job. It worked! She still has her accent (she's from Mexico City) but she seems to speak with more clarity. Kudos to you and your tapes! I think I am starting to find my nitch with your tapes."
Ray Villegas
Arizona, USA
[used Paul's book, Accents and Dialects for Stage and Screen, in his doctoral studies in dialect at the University of Arizona.]
"Your book, CDs and a Blood Brothers program are safely on their way back to you. What a treat it was to work with them. As I said in my note to you, I'm still "lilting." It's hard to give up the Liverpool sound.
The show was a major success. We had six performances and had sellout crowds and standing ovations each night. Most of our members declared that this was the best show St. Dunstan's has done in twenty years.
How proud I was to be a part of it!
When I walked out for my bow on Opening Night, there was a roar from the audience. I have never experienced that before. It certainly makes it all worth it. I think I did Mrs. Johnstone proud. It is an experience I will not soon forget. I will be in touch when the next dialect comes along. I could not have does Mrs.J without your help. Thank you!"
Duffy Wineman
St. Dunstan's Theater Guild of Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA
[leased Paul's show-specific CD for Mrs. Johnstone in the musical, Blood Brothers.]
"Your CDs...were an amazing, invaluable help — I've already recommended your services. The showcase was a huge success. We even had a native New Yorker in the audience who was impressed!! You have become quite a talking point."
Karen Ellenburr
London, England
[leased Paul's show-specific CDs for a showcase production of Danny and the Deep Blue Sea.]
"I wanted to thank you so much for the dialect work for Bullshot Crummond. The audiences loved the show and the only feedback we heard about the dialects were from local residents originally from England. They were all very impressed! Otherwise, nobody commented on the accents, only on how much they loved the show. To me, that meant we were successful in creating natural accents that added to the show but did not distract. Particularly, one British woman told me that the accent was wonderful, but to never use it outside of the theater because it was a really old accent. Perfect! Bullshot is a 1930s military chap and your direction was right on!"
Matt Bachus
Evergreen, Colorado, USA
[leased Paul's show-specific CDs for Bullshot Crummond, produced by the Evergreen Players, Evergreen, Colorado, USA.]
"This thank you is long overdue. I'm the lucky actress in Evergreen, Colorado playing Lenya Von Brunno in Bullshot Crummond. The CD you provided for Lenya was fabulous and most helpful. It's also been fun to watch the other actors develop their dialects over time. I especially appreciated the personal touches and exceptions that keep any accent from becoming a stock cliche."
Kerry Beebe
Evergreen, Colorado, USA
[played Lenya von Brunno in Bullshot Crummond, produced by the Evergreen Players, Evergreen, Colorado, USA.]
"Accepting the role of Kyra was frightening for me...104 pages of words, words, words...and with the BRITISH ACCENT...GOODNIGHT! I wanted to thank you for being the calm, reassuring, and soothing voice that taught me all I needed to know. You gave me not only the skills and choices for my character, but you gave me CONFIDENCE for all of this. I thank you! You are amazing. Thanks for all your hard work!"
Heather Lewis
Williamstown, Michigan, USA
[commissioned Paul to create a custom CD for Kyra in Skylight, produced by Peppermint Creek Theatre, Michigan, USA.]
"I have been spending a great deal of time on your website and the IDEA website. The sound reference files are a valuable resource. The IPA charts are also an amazing reference tool. I have my BFA in acting and remember my dialect classes very well. I would have greatly appreciated such a reference tool during those classes! My husband is a choral conductor/teacher and often refers to IPA charts and books for pronunciations of various choral texts. He already has your site bookmarked on his school computer.
"Thank you! Your dialogue CDs and literature were an amazing tool for me in preparing the role of Eliza Doolittle. I had a wonderful time, and owe many thanks to you for helping me prepare such a difficult and diverse role in such a short amount of time. Thank you for sharing your unique and wonderful gifts of language with me."
Katherine Altobello
Janiec Opera Program, Brevard Music Center in Brevard, NC, USA
[leased Paul's two-CD set for Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady]
"I had the extreme pleasure of using one of your splendid CD's last July
when I portrayed Henry Higgins in the St. Croix Valley Summer Theatre's
production of "My Fair Lady." I'm convinced I could not have done that role
as well without your fine work."
Michael Paul Levin
St. Croix Valley Summer Theatre, University of Wisconsin, River Falls, Wisconsin, USA
[used Paul's CDs for his portrayal of Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady]
"I really liked your attentiveness to shipping it out right away as well as
the quality of your instruction so I thought I would take time to give you
feedback.
I quite enjoyed the phonetic spellings of the monologues. That was an
interesting addition since I have not encountered it in other accent
development cds. I was not familiar with what the symbols meant but it was
easy to pick up as I listened. I then rewrote my passages in the script
using the symbols and it helped out quite a bit.
I was quite satisfied with the quality of your instruction and you would be
happy to hear that people were impressed with my dialect at the script
reading in which I was performing. A well respected VO artist in the city
thought it sounded very authentic. I was only able to listen to it for
about 5 days before performing so it must have been a good teacher. Thank
you for your great assistance."
Robert Anthony Peters
San Francisco, USA
[used Paul's Indian booklet and CD to prepare for a script-in-hand reading of the screenplay Zounds! by Greg Moleski at the
Canvas Cafe in San Francisco.]
"My experience with Paul Meier Dialect Services was extremely fulfilling. The combination Book/CDs set is a thorough collection of the information needed to master dialects. It picked up where my guesswork left off as to the pronunciation of each syllable used in the English language in each of the separate dialects offered. It is extremely user-friendly and can be referred to over and over again. To further add to the success and delight of learning this material, one is always welcome to visit the IDEA website, where authentic sounds and nuances can be heard firsthand.
The next and certainly best part is the contact with Paul Meier himself, a lovely man who is respectful, courteous and attentive to his students’ needs. Paul and I were in touch via email several times a week and he made sure that all my questions were answered within 24 hours. During our phone conversations (which I taped to review later) I found him to be insightful, helpful and a lot of fun. He is clearly a master of his craft. His immediate interpretations of copy were at once creative and admirably genuine. What an inspiration — one can only hope to become as good at this as he is!
Finally, the studio session was amazingly efficient and swift, thanks to the forethought and vision of both producer (Paul) and his engineer (Don Martin of Evolution Audio). I literally flew into Kansas City (an hour late thanks to a blizzard), did the session with apt coaching by them both, and waited just 90 minutes while Don worked his lightning magic on my recordings. He chose the perfect background music for each piece and even a few atmospheric beds that basically “made” the copy. I left for the airport with a completely professional demo CD of which I am very proud."
Paula Richer
Woonsocket, Rhode Island, USA
[purchased Accents and Dialects for Stage and Screen, and commissioned Paul to produce her voice-over demo]
"I just got back form rehearsal and...I nailed it! After getting the accent much closer I had the confidence to put the passion into the part. Tonight, I received compliments
from the director, the conductor and the composer /author who flew in
from N.Y. for this performance. I have been doing the Yiddish Hungarian voice all eve. Oye! You really helped me to unlock this accent. I will be off-book tomorrow and will
really be able to get into the accent sans script. Thanks so much for your help.
"
Mark A. Alciati
Santa Barbara, USA
[engaged Paul for phone-coaching in preparation for his role in Peter Boyle's Ellis Island: The Dream of America with the Santa
Barbara Symphony Orchestra]
"Just wanted to let you know how many positive comments our show received regarding our dialect work. As I may have mentioned, this play was for competition, and our vocal work stood head and shoulders above all others. And we owe it all to you."
Kris Harrison
Lubbock, Texas, USA
[leased show-specific CDs for his production of The Real Thing, by Tom Stoppard]
"I'm doing a show at the Alley Theatre in Houston, TX and I just wanted to
say your CD and booklet were extremely helpful. I was a bit worried
because I've always heard the Welsh is a very difficult dialect to learn and
although it has been challenging, I believe that your materials have made
the difference between sounding close and sounding right. Thanks a bunch!"
Tim Wrobel
Houston, Texas, USA
[bought Paul's Welsh dialect instruction booklet and CD in preparation for his role in The Spider's Web, by Agatha Christie, at Houston's Alley Theatre]
"...the coaching you provided for me while I was preparing The Exonerated was invaluable. The show was a huge success. It won several local theatre awards and got universally rave reviews. The coaching session helped me begin the rehearsal process with confidence."
Beth Duda
Sarasota, Florida, USA
[had a phone-coaching session in preparation for the Texas and upper Mid-West dialects she needed for her roles in The Exonerated in Sarasota, Florida]
"I just wanted to thank you once again for the great telephone session
we had yesterday. It was extremely beneficial to me and you gave me tips
that really locked it in for me. I especially love saying "hunnert" for
hundred. I went into last night's rehearsal with so much confidence. Just started
reading your book on the train this morning. Looking forward to really
delving into it. Thanks again and I look forward to working with you again on another
dialect."
Mitch Poulos
New York, USA
[had a phone-coaching session in preparation for New Jersey dialect he needed for The
Mayor Who Would Be Sondheim for the 2005 New York
Fringe Festival]
"...please also let me say that I was completely blown away by the quality and caliber of the written materials you provided! I would have been happy to merely get the spoken language exercises in written form, but what you provide is the kind of material I would expect to receive in a clinical or classroom environment. It is a rare thing these days to receive so much value for a purchase, and the purchase price was ridiculously fair. You will certainly be the first resource of choice in our next language adventure and I will be sure to pass your name and website along to those who might need your service."
Mike Maden
Coppell, Texas, USA
[purchased Paul's New York booklet and CD to prepare for an audition for Oliver Stone's 9/11 project]
"I received the materials you sent me in a very timely manner, and I want to thank you for that, for the extra CD on the house, and for the overall quality of the whole package. I'm extremely pleased with the book and CD's and the way it's all laid out. The primary source recordings on IDEA are great. It's important, after focusing on the smaller details, to hear a couple of real folks who've had their dialects softened or otherwise changed by their interactions with the lands beyond the borders of Wales."
Mathew Zimmerer
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
[purchased Accents and Dialects for Stage and Screen to prepare for his role as the Welsh doctor in Blue/Orange at Actor's Theatre of Phoenix.]
"I just wanted to tell you that I am so impressed with you and your CD and
the way you work. The instruction is so to the point, so helpful and so just
exactly what is needed. Wayne [who leased the CD for his role as the King] and I were talking at rehearsal today and I
mentioned that I recieved my cd and how great I thought it was and what a
great job you do and he agreed whole heartedly. What a wonderful tool it is
to hear your lines in the accent you need them in and to take apart the
words and sounds enough to understand just exactly what is needed for the
role I must do. Especially an accent I have not done before like the
Scottish...an accent that seems a bit more difficult than some...I admire your talent and I thank you for your
help.
"
Brian Norber
Denver, Colorado, USA
[leased Paul's CD for his role as the Scottish Captain Orton, in the Boulder's Dinner Theatre production of The King and I.]
"I have just been through your
website. Not saying what hasn't been said by many before — but your
dialect materials are a definitive resource and make an incomparable
contribution to the work life of teacher, coach, director.
Congratulations on your new booklet [South Boston]. And you have such a beautiful
voice."
Lissa Tyler Renaud, Ph.D.
Korean National University of the Arts
Seoul
[wrote after the release of Paul's South Boston booklet and CD]
"I wanted to share with you a review for our Dancing at Lughnasa production.
I can't tell you how much the CDs helped everyone perfect the dialect. Any
theater that attempts to do this show without them is at a disadvantage even
with a great coach on hand. As a bonus, it helped our actors memorize their
lines!!!"
Diane Senffner
[used Paul's show-specific CDs to assist as she dialect-coached Dancing at Lughnasa (as well as playing Kate) at Fountain Hills Community Theatre, Arizona]
"I couldn't have done it without you. Angels in America just opened this
weekend, and even my very fussy voice teacher who can deal with many
languages and accents said the accents were great. The director
confessed that he had expected to spend hours working with me on the Rabbi's
speech and was stunned when I came in with the accent in control. And, a local
director who is very precise about accents watched a rehearsal and
pronounced the accent almost too good. Wow! I am in no way a natural
mimic, and I can't just do accents at the drop of a hat the way some
people can. Your CDs made this possible. I'm especially thrilled that they
enabled me to create the proper sounds and then devise my own interpretation of
the character...if we do Part II as planned I'll be needing you again."
Sandra Stark
[played Rabbi Chemelwitz in the Uncommon Theatre's production of Angels In America in Milwaukee, using Paul's dialect designs for the show.]
"I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for the My Fair Lady cds. We finished our production here in Richmond, Indiana, two weeks ago. I played Alfie. I hadn't seen the movie since its original release, and I wanted to stay away from it during rehearsals because I didn't want to copy Holloway's performance. This left me straining over how to develop the Cockney accent. Our director, Michelle Avery, rented your recordings and they were a godsend. This was one of our most successful productions and you were a big part of it."
Jack Leer
[played Alfie Doolittle in the Richmond Civic Theatre's production of My Fair Lady in Richmond, Indiana, using Paul's dialect designs for the show.]
"...the show went splendidly. I would just like to thank you so much for helping me with the dialect and ultimately helping me create the character of Forgiveness. I received many compliments on the accent. Actually, during strike, the artistic director of the show came up to me and started speaking in a flawless Chinese accent. When I asked him where he learned that, he told me that he learned it from listening to me every night. I was so touched. I received so many compliments from my directors, fellow cast mates and audience members. And I know none of it would have been possible without your help. So again, thank you! thank you! thank you!"
Monique Sanchez
[had a phone-coaching session with Paul in preparation for her role as Forgiveness from Heaven in The Waiting Room in The Hofstra New College Theatre production of the play in Hempstead, NY. ]
"I just wanted to let you know Charlie had her audition today. The head casting director of MTC [Manhattan Theatre Club] was very impressed with Charlie’s accent.
She came out to ask about you and IDEA and how we prepared for the audition etc. I expect you might hear from someone.
Charlie does have a call back tomorrow to meet with the director Gary Hynes. (she is Irish) Suffice to say working with you has been a huge success no matter what happens tomorrow."
Cydney Cort
[her daughter, Charlie Ray, had a phone-coaching session with Paul in preparation for her audition for the Manhattan Theatre Club production of Leaves.]
"Saying "Thank You" with appreciation and gratitude for your professional
presentation of "Accents and Dialects for Stage and Screen." As the co-producer and co-host of "The Back Porch Show"
I often have to be creative with dialects. Your material will be so-oooooooooo helpful to me. Last year I was in receipt of full professorship and tenure with Florida A&M University. I know just how much work has gone into your material. Congratulations! No doubt you love what you are doing."
K. Wilder
[bought a copy of Accents and Dialects for Stage and Screen to assist her in preparing for her radio show, The Back Porch Show.]
"The book is priceless! I have successfully broken into audiobooks narration, which has been my long-time dream, and it is immeasurably helpful to have your guides at arm’s length when I need to choose and perfect a character dialect. I love this work so much, and spend time listening to the clips on IDEA quite frequently, just for pleasure.
"
Tavia Gilbert
[bought a copy of Accents and Dialects for Stage and Screen to assist her in her audio-book work.]
"A fabulous, and most comprehensive course that provides easy to follow yet detailed study of a wide range of accents/ dialects for the working or non working actor. An absolute must for the toolbox!
"
Jack Henry
[wrote after using Accents and Dialects for Stage and Screen.]
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