Top Voice Training Exercises & Resources Actors Must Know
- Neil Mulac
- Aug 18
- 5 min read
An actor's voice is their most personal—and versatile—instrument.
Introduction
Every actor—whether you're working on stage, screen, or voiceover—knows that a powerful, clear voice can make or break a performance. That’s where effective voice training exercises and quality resources come in. In this article, you’ll discover proven techniques, including wisdom from Kristin Linklater’s Freeing the Natural Voice, accessible warm-up routines, and a standout video from the National Theatre. You’ll also find practical examples and exercises you can try right now to elevate your voice, diction, and enunciation.
Why Voice Training Matters for Actors
Actors need more than memorized lines—they need to communicate with precision, emotion, and authenticity. Clean diction ensures your words land, an emotional vocal range conveys truth, and controlled breath supports delivery from a whisper to a roar. Voice training unlocks these abilities, enabling you to connect deeply with both audiences and casting directors.
This Post Includes:
Foundational voice-release techniques inspired by Kristin Linklater’s Freeing the Natural Voice
Proven warm-up routines from the National Theatre’s “An Actor’s Warm-Up” video
A simple warm-up using “The House That Jack Built”
A short list of tongue twisters for daily practice
Practical tips for voice use across stage, screen, and voiceover
Check out our post [Want a Stronger Voice? These 7 Tips Could Change Everything] for more.
1. Kristin Linklater’s Voice-Freeing Approach
Kristin Linklater is one of the most influential voice teachers for actors worldwide. Her book, Freeing the Natural Voice: Imagery and Art in the Practice of Voice and Language, presents a sequence of exercises designed to unlock tension and awaken expressive power.
Key elements of the Linklater progression:
Release habitual physical tensions (in the body, especially the torso and throat)
Free the breath—connecting breathing with authentic expression
Allow natural resonance—using humming and body vibrations
Loosen articulation muscles—jaw, tongue, palate, lips
Build vocal range and clarity—across 3–4 octaves
Imagery and physical awareness are central: Linklater encourages actors to “free the voice to free the person,” using visualization to dissolve blockages in the body and voice. For instance, envision your breath expanding like a gentle wave or your voice resonating like a bell through your chest and skull.
2. Warm-Up Video from the National Theatre
An excellent, free resource is the National Theatre’s short video, “An Actor’s Warm-Up,” led by Jeannette Nelson. It combines breathing, resonance, articulation, and body preparation in a streamlined session.
What makes it ideal:
Quick and accessible—perfect for pre-rehearsal or auditions.
Covers breathing control, resonance (using humming), body looseners, and articulation drills.
Balances physical and vocal elements with clarity.
Use this video to build a reliable daily warm-up routine. Start your voice work by watching it through once, then try doing its exercises on your own, adjusting speed and breath as needed.
3. Guided Warm-Up: “The House That Jack Built”
Add variation by using a familiar nursery rhyme. Try this simple diction and breath-control exercise:
Instructions: Read the nursery tale below using a single breath for each sentence. Repeat until it becomes easy and natural.
This is the house that Jack built.
This is the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the rat that ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the cat that killed the rat that ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the dog that worried the cat that killed the rat that ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the cow with the crumpled horn that tossed the dog that worried the cat that killed the rat that ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the maiden all forlorn that milked the cow with the crumpled horn that tossed the dog that worried the cat that killed the rat that ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the man all tattered and torn that kissed the maiden all forlorn that milked the cow with the crumpled horn that tossed the dog that worried the cat that killed the rat that ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the priest all shaven and shorn that married the man all tattered and torn that kissed the maiden all forlorn that milked the cow with the crumpled horn that tossed the dog that worried the cat that killed the rat that ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the cock that crowed in the morn that woke the priest all shaven and shorn that married the man all tattered and torn that kissed the maiden all forlorn that milked the cow with the crumpled horn that tossed the dog that worried the cat that killed the rat that ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the farmer sowing his corn that kept the cock that crowed in the morn that woke the priest all shaven and shorn that married the man all tattered and torn that kissed the maiden all forlorn that milked the cow with the crumpled horn that tossed the dog that worried the cat that killed the rat that ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.
How to use it:
Inhale calmly and fully before each sentence.
Aim for clarity and even pacing.
If you run out of breath before finishing, take notes: where did you gasp? Where did clarity drop? Repeat the sentence deliberately until control improves.
This builds breath capacity, enunciation, and focus—and is especially helpful before readings or performances.
4. Tongue-Twister Warm-Ups for Articulation
Tongue twisters sharpen articulation muscles and improve diction precision. Here are a few effective ones to add to your daily routine:
“Red lorry, yellow lorry.” (Repeat 10×, gradually faster.)
“Unique New York.” (Helps with i- and u-shifts.)
“She sells seashells by the seashore.” (Works lips and sibilants.)
“Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.” (Strengthens tongue-and-lip agility.)
Focus on clarity over speed at first. Over time, speed will come—but accuracy and precision are the goal.
5. Application Across Actor Types
Stage actors: Need vocal projection and physical resonance. Combine physical warm-ups, full-body resonance practice, and Linklater’s release work to eliminate strain and boost projection.
Screen actors: Typically work with mics and rely more on intimacy and subtlety. Focus on breath control, articulation clarity, and vocal presence—Linklater’s mindfulness and gentle resonance serve well here.
Voice actors: Must rely solely on vocal expressiveness. Use the full progression: tension release, breath support, articulation precision (twisters and rhyme work), and resonance—even if it's internal and into the mic.
6. Additional Resources to Explore
Kristin Linklater’s Freeing the Natural Voice—your essential textbook for long-term vocal freedom and expressive clarity.
Workshops and designated Linklater teachers—if you're serious, consider training with qualified instructors around the world.
More National Theatre warm-up videos—covering breathing, resonance, articulation, physical release—great for deepening your routine.
7. Sample Daily Warm-Up Routine
Step | Exercise | Purpose |
1 | Physical loosening (neck, shoulders, torso) | Release tension to support vocal freedom |
2 | Breathing (inhale 4, exhale 8, panting) | Build breath control |
3 | Humming/resonance | Connect voice to body and feel vibration |
4 | House That Jack Built exercise | Build breath capacity and articulate control |
5 | Tongue twisters | Sharpen precision and clarity |
6 | Linklater visualization (e.g., breath as a wave) | Reinforce awareness and vocal authenticity |
Your voice is your most personal—and versatile—instrument. By combining the transformative wisdom of Kristin Linklater with practical warm-ups and tools, such as the National Theatre video and tongue twisters, you'll develop a voice that resonates with authenticity, precision, and emotional depth. Start small, be consistent, and listen to your voice’s unique path toward freedom.
Break a leg—and speak—or whisper, or roar—with confidence!
What's one voice exercise you swear by? Share in the comments section below!
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