Claudette Roche - The Accent Coach, Accent/Dialect Coach, Foreign Accents, Accent Reduction » Actress

Claudia Cimino

Claudette Roche — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:42:23 +0000

Australian student, actress, Claudia Cimino, was critiqued on her American accent by über fabulous casting director, Gary Zuckerbrod (Pulp Fiction, Without A Trace, Live Nude Girls and President of the Casting Society of America). Gary is conducting a workshop in Sydney, Australia at the prestigious AIPA (Australian Institute for the Performing Arts).

Gary’s opinion of my student’s American accent was that it was “flawless’. Needless to say, Claudia Cimino is extremely happy, as am I.

This is critical step one achieved toward Claudia’s triumphant return to Los Angeles and a wonderful career as an actress.

Stay tuned, she’s awesome.

http://claudiacimino.com/

CINDY BENSON: Billy Elliot The Musical

Claudette Roche — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:17:49 +0000

“Cindy Benson is an outstanding comedienne and singer, the sort of performer who helps make Broadway musicals the worldwide success they are.”
William Ruhlmann – NY CITY TRIBUNE

“Benson is devastating singing a torch song, turning it into an aching heartbreaker.”
Bob Harrington – NY POST

“She can hold a note as long as Ethel Merman, a multitalented performer”
George Christy – HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

I am so proud to announce that one of musical theatre’s greatest talents, Cindy Benson just landed the coveted understudy role of the Grandma in this joyous piece of theatre set in County Durham in northern England during the mid-1980s.

Cindy worked on learning this accent diligently, she has a great ear and was a joy to be with. We truly became allies and friends during this process. In her email to me announcing her booking the role, she wrote, “I had an amazing audition including a coaching with the dialect coach. He said my accent was very good and asked who I coached with…he was very impressed with the accent. So thank you!!!! It finally paid off.” Billy Elliot’s resident dialect coach is William Conacher (THE READER, FRED CLAUS, CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR).

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL is the new show that has captured Broadway’s heart and received the best reviews for any musical in years. Called “EXTRAORDINARILY UPLIFTING” by Time Out New York and “INTOXICATING” by The New York Times, BILLY ELLIOT is a joyous, exciting and feel-good celebration of one boy following his heart and making his dreams come true.

Based on the critically acclaimed feature film, BILLY ELLIOT is brought to life by the movie’s original creative team – director Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling and writer Lee Hall – along with music legend Elton John, who has written what the New York Post calls “HIS BEST SCORE YET!”

On Broadway and the National Tours, Cindy Benson starred as the deliciously low comedic lead, Mme.Thenardier in LES MISERABLES and she played the delightful 200 lb. tap dancing Gumbie Cat, Jennyanydots in CATS. Off-Broadway, Cindy originated the roles of Sister Robert Ann in NUNSENSE and the wildly wacky Donna the Dominatrix in Paul Bartel’s EATING RAOUL. Performed on PBS’ GREAT PERFORMANCES from Symphony Hall in Boston, appeared with the Houston Grand Opera and is a recipient of the Manhattan Association Cabaret Award for Excellence in Musical Comedy.

Cindy can be heard on the original cast albums of LES MISERABLES, EATING RAOUL, ALL THAT HE WAS, BILLY BARNES REVUED, EVERYONE HAS A STORY, SONGS OF ADRYAN RUSS and the ADLER, BROCK, COLEMAN CD from the S.T.A.G.E. Series. She recorded her first CD album OUT ON A WHIM, which is also the name of her one woman show, receiving three Drama-Logue Awards, written and directed by David Man and produced by HBO Workspace & Theatre @ Boston Court in Pasadena.

Cindy works in Television & Film and is a member of Theatre Neo and The Colony Theatre in Los Angeles. She has performed with the Reprise! Series (Mack & Mabel),
the Mark Taper Forum (The First Picture Show), and was twice nominated for a Los Angeles Theatre Ovation Award for her role as the Hollywood Usherette in BLAME IT ON THE MOVIES at the Pasadena Playhouse and SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD at the Rubicon Theatre.

Other roles include Emma Goldman in RAGTIME at the South Bay Civic Light Opera, Agnes Gooch in MAME at the North Shore Music Theatre and Mama Rose in GYPSY at the Texas Star Theatre.

Cindy singing “Gorgeous”.

http://cindybenson.com/

http://www.billyelliotthemusical.com/

DALIA PHILLIPS: USA Operating Instructions

Claudette Roche — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:06:13 +0000

Dalia Phillips just finished working with acclaimed director, Andy Tennant (HITCH starring Will Smith and currently in production on THE BOUNTY starring Gerard Butler).

In OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS, Dalia plays an American ghetto fabulous new money diva which is in sharp contrast to her fresh faced role in the new SUBWAY commercial currently running nation wide, also as an American.

The ever industrious Dalia was the associate producer on the universally loved film, AKEELAH AND THE BEE, with Angela Basset and Laurence Fishburne. Dalia also acted in the film, playing school teacher, Ms Cross. Dalia first impressed writer/director Doug Atchison when he saw her in an actors showcase in Los Angeles and he asked her to come aboard the project.

Her television credits include BONES, THE WEST WING, NYPD BLUE and she has starred in such independent films as QUENCH, FLASHES OF LIFE and SKIN.

Dalia has extensive New York stage experience and after studying at The Acting Studio for three years under James Price and John Grabowski, she toured with the Negro Ensemble Company Workshop. Dalia received her BA in Theatre Arts with a Minor in Film Studies from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dalia is the President and Founder of Branches Entertainment. An entertainment company dedicated to developing and producing projects for film, theatre and television. Dalia wrote for, directed, co-produced and starred in the critically acclaimed theatrical production Surrender. Her other LA theatre credits include leading roles in JOLETA, AN INCIDENT AT THE STANDISH ARMS and WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO.

Phillips has been honored with a Who’s Who in Entertainment and a Woman of Today Award as well as an Outstanding Young Women of America Award for her dedicated work with children. Her volunteer work includes: mentoring at risk youths for A Place Called Home and working with special needs children at The Miracle Project. She also participates in run/walk events to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research and HIV/AIDS programs. Because of her passion for working with children, Dalia is currently developing children’s programming projects through her company Branches Entertainment.

http://www.usanetwork.com

SARAH MANNINEN: Keep Your Head Up, Kid: The Don Cherry Story.

Claudette Roche — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:35:41 +0000

E1 Entertainment, 5 for Fighting and Frantic Films in association with CBC Television announced a wrap on principal photography on the original Canadian bio-pic, Keep Your Head Up, Kid: The Don Cherry Story. This four-hour mini-series chronicles the life of Canada’s most prominent hockey personality and top sportscaster, Don Cherry.

 KEEP YOUR HEAD UP, KID: THE DON CHERRY STORY stars Jared Keeso as Don Cherry, and Sarah Manninen as Rose Cherry. The script is written by Tim Cherry, Don Cherry’s son. Jeff Woolnough (CSI; SUPER NATURAL, BATTLESTAR GALLACTICA, BONES and CÉLINE) is directing.

Canadian actress, Sarah Manninen and I worked on a Hershey, Pennsylvania accent for this star making vehicle as Rose Cherry. I was honored to work with Sarah, as her work ethic is so high, she wouldn’t settle for less than perfect. With limited audio of the real Rose Cherry, Sarah created a seamless and honest portrayal of this lovely woman and devoted wife.

The real Don Cherry said in an article for the National Post, “I went out for the last week or so of filming and I got there for the final scene with Rose. The girl [actor Sarah Manninen], she looks exactly like Rose. She even had the Pennsylvania accent down.”

Sarah Manninen is a graduate of Toronto’s George Brown Theatre School and was nominated for a Gemini Award (Canadian Emmy) as Best Leading Actress in a Dramatic Program or Miniseries for the BBC/CTV film AKA THE ALBERT WALKER STORY. She played opposite Lou Diamond Phillips as Natasha in the feature, NEVER FORGET and was a recurring character in the TV series, THE LINE, with Sharon Lawrence.

Sarah is currently shooting the CBS movie, THE LOIS WILSON STORY starring Winona Ryder and has played lead roles in CBS’ MARTIN AND LEWIS; BEAUTIFUL GIRL for ABC and MOLLY: AN AMERICAN GIRL ON THE HOMEFRONT produced by Julia Roberts’ Red Om Films.

Sarah Manninen met with TORO Magazine photographer, Franco Deleo, for an exclusive photo shoot and shared more insights into her personality in this Q&A.

Q: What is the quality you like most in a man?
 A: Compassion. Loyalty for sure. And a sense of humour!
Q: The quality you like most in a woman? 
A: Well, the same kind of things. Also, non-judgmental. And fun-loving. I want to have fun too!
Q: Which living person do you most admire?
 A: I find it hard not to say Barack Obama, but I’ll also say for the Canadian side Michael Ignatieff. I’ve been interested in him for the past four years. I was doing a little volunteering for him too. I love politics. I’m a huge fan of politics. My parents have always been very passionate about it, so I come by it naturally.
Q: What is your motto? 
A: Be appreciative of the present moment.

http://www.imdb.com

http://www.cbc.ca

http://nationalpost.com

ANNA SOLO: CW Life Unexpected

Claudette Roche — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:11:20 +0000

Triple threat performer, Anna Solo, plays Cynthia, the mother of Tasha on the new TV series, LIFE UNEXPECTED, shooting in Vancouver, Canada. The series is produced by Mojo Films in association with CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Television with executive producers Liz Tigelaar (BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WHAT ABOUT BRIAN) and Gary Fleder (OCTOBER ROAD).

Anna Solo hails from Latvia and is an accomplished actress, dancer, singer and choreographer, making her technically a quadruple threat. Her strength as an actress and dancer landed her a wonderful role as a choreographer in the feature, The Funeral Party for director, Yefim Gribov.

Below is what this amazing performer had to say about our work together.

‘I am a theatre actor from Europe. I’ve been coming to the States for several years, auditioning for different projects and not getting anywhere because of my accent. Over the years I’ve tried quite a few dialect coaches and none of them were able to help me get rid of my accent. Luckily, I finally found Claudette and one class with her was like a miracle. It felt like I came to the doctor with a long time disease that no one could find the cure for, and Claudette magically found the cure for me in one hour!

She masterfully detected my linguistic problems and showed me how to adapt an American accent, instead of just trying to ‘get rid’ of mine…Claudette not only can diagnose your accent in five minutes but she has an incredible system that is easy to understand, easy to remember and IT WORKS! Also, she doesn’t waste any time. If it’s one hour, then you spend every minute of it working, not just talking, so it’s worth every penny you pay.

I consider meeting Claudette, like winning the biggest lottery ticket. Also, I can’t not mention that Claudette is not only a superb professional but she is also an amazing person, warm, considerate and has a great sense of humour. I believe that that’s a rare combination. I’m filming at the moment but I cannot wait to go back to Los Angeles and take classes with her.’

http://www.cwtv.com