During April I spent several weeks working with third-year students in the Theatre/Media course at Charles Sturt University for their end of term production. The challenge? My first time dialect coaching Czech and Ukrainian!
The students were developing the script themselves in conjunction with their teacher and director, and had decided to set their play in post-WWI Europe, specifically in the western regions of Czechoslovakia (now, Czech Republic). I really enjoyed the investigative research for this production, and looking into the western (Moravian) dialects of Czech. I was helpfully steered in the right direction by a native speaker from the very city the students had chosen as their setting!
Despite the circumstances around the pandemic and the requirement for them to study, rehearse, and perform remotely, I must admit I was BLOWN AWAY by the theatrical innovations and performance quality that the students managed to create for their remote audience on Zoom. It was an astounding technological and logistical feat, and it felt very special to see the dialects they’d worked so hard on being showcased in action!
Here’s what some of them had to say about their experience:
Benjamin is a fantastic coach, he made learning a very unique accent feel achievable and fun! He is professional, personable, and made himself very available for any questions we had. Would definitely recommend. 10/10!
-Student, Příbor, Third Year Theatre/Media Production, Charles Sturt University (2020)
Benjamin was absolutely fantastic. He broke down the dialect in a really simple yet thorough way, and was able to explain exactly how it differs from my natural accent, so that I could apply it as easily as possible. I not only learnt a lot quickly, but had a great time doing it! I would recommend Benjamin to anyone looking to learn a dialect.
-Student, Příbor, Third Year Theatre/Media Production, Charles Sturt University (2020)