Pablo de Olavide University organises an intensive course on classic monologue and voice projection in Carmona, aimed at actors and students. The fourth edition will be held from July 14 to 16.
The Pablo de Olavide University (UPO) headquarters in Carmona, the Rosario Valpuesta centre, will host the fourth edition of the course 'The Monologue, an Essential Element of Classic Verse. The Spoken Voice, the Sung Voice. Practical Course' from July 14 to 16. The initiative, led by tenor Eugenio Jiménez and actor Roberto Quintana, focuses on mastering the voice for the interpretation of classic texts from Spanish theatre.
The course addresses a training gap that professionals in the sector acknowledge: the technique of classic verse is being lost among current actors. According to Jiménez, “we are very accustomed to prose, and anything that is not rhymed sounds better to our ears.” Therefore, the programme aims to recover the art of reciting without a microphone, filling a theatre solely with the natural projection of the voice.
A Practical Method on Stage
The training combines theory and practice, but the true laboratory will be the stage. Students will work with monologues from authors such as Calderón de la Barca, Lope de Vega, Cervantes, Tirso de Molina, and Fernando de Rojas. The goal is for each performer to learn to “project sound, recite without harming themselves, and fill a theatre without a microphone,” explains Jiménez.
One of the most common problems among novices, according to the director, is the “lack of vocal articulation” and a “very rear sound in the mouth” that causes vocal fatigue. The course will teach how to place the voice correctly to avoid excessive strain and achieve clear and powerful diction.
For Actors and Verse Enthusiasts
The course is open to actors, drama students, and anyone interested in stage voice. It will take place in the morning and afternoon, making use of the facilities at the Carmona headquarters. Participants will be able to experience in a real theatre how their voice sounds and correct bad habits.
For the residents of Carmona and the surrounding area, this is an opportunity to train in a discipline that is rarely offered in the province. UPO thus brings specialised training to a municipality with a rich cultural tradition, avoiding trips to the capital. Additionally, the course could serve as a springboard for those dreaming of pursuing a career in interpreting the classics.
A Tradition That Must Not Be Lost
Eugenio Jiménez laments that the technique of classic verse is becoming less known. “Verse has a very specific treatment and is very little known,” he states. Therefore, this course aims to be an antidote against forgetfulness. Attendees will work on both the spoken and sung voice, as in classic theatre, both intertwine.
The fourth edition consolidates an initiative that was born with the intention of continuity. Places are limited, and the organisation recommends registering in advance. At the end, students will receive a certificate of completion. Who knows if among them the next great reciter of Lope or Calderón will emerge.
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