Testimonials
Here’s what industry professionals have to say about working with Jack Starkey-Gill as Voice Director and Acting Coach.
Blazey Best
“I found Jack’s method to be vocally invigorating and freeing. I still use his exercises in my warmup before every show, as a free voice gives me access to every possible emotional place I care to visit.”
Johnny Carr
“Jack was an absolute asset to our production of Constellations for the Sydney Theatre Company. His approach to dialect and text was liberating and playful. His love for the work is infectious and ear for detail second to none.
He has an incredible grasp of how we use our voices as performers and always conveyed this to me in a way that felt organic, unlocking authentic performance. He guided me through a complicated text with a sense of discovery and a remarkable ability to encourage play to break through obstacles. He is a master of his craft and I will be working with him as often as I can.“
Matilda Ridgway
“Jack Starkey-Gill is an exceptional voice teacher. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience and is so generous, fun and supportive in his coaching that you don’t realise you are working at all. He refreshed my skills and gave me new techniques to implement. The hours flew by. My confidence and awareness improved. I’m so grateful to him and glad I worked with him. Highly recommended.“
Garth Holcombe
“Jack treats the actor as an individual; he works with care and with respect, encouraging play, investigation and curiosity. He is keenly aware of the emotional life of the actor and marries the technical perfectly alongside that. A joy to work with both on and off the rehearsal room floor!”
Flynn Barnard
“Having worked with Jack both in room and digitally, I can confidently rely on his ability to develop my skills and any pieces I am working on. He speaks the performers’ language and understands what is needed to take my performance to the next level.”
Ahunim Abebe
“Working with Jack is always a delight. He is incredible at balancing what the actor needs with what the character demands. I really appreciated the care and consideration he advised with, and I took a lot from his approach to voice work and classical text analysis. I think any performer would be extremely lucky to work with him. He made the usually intimidating nature of vocal work so accessible and safe. Here’s to you Jack!”
Lizzie Schebesta
“Jack’s guidance as a vocal coach is inspired. His approach to accent and vocal work is both holistic and creative. Sophisticated without being intimidating. I’ve work with him both as a director and personally as an actor, and seen the unifying and uplifting effect he has on the culture of a cast as well as his attentive and supportive coaching working with him one-on-one.”
Melissa Kahraman
“Working with Jack is an absolute dream. He consistently curates a joyful and safe space to learn and play. Working with him on King Lear was invaluable. Never having worked in the round before, Jack’s exercises helped me to understand the space in which I was performing and in doing so, gave me so much more access both physically and vocally. So much so, that I believe it made all the difference between how strong I was feeling from show to show. He has a brilliant grasp of how we use our voices and advises in a considered and curious manner. I couldn’t recommend him more!”
Mike Howlett
“I have worked with Jack on multiple shows and he has, on every occasion, been such a joy to work with and provided unwavering support at every turn. On long touring shows, his instruction has saved my voice from failing me a number of times. His dedication and passion for both acting and voice provide a unique approach that is not only precise and technical, but filled with intention (and frankly, a lot of fun). I honestly can’t recommend snapping up an opportunity to work with him as much as you can.”
Tamara Lee Bailey
“I had the absolute pleasure of working with Jack Starkey-Gill as my voice coach leading up
to my role in King Lear with Bell Shakespeare, and I can confidently say that his expertise
has been transformative for me as an actor.
Jack’s approach to vocal training is nothing short of outstanding. We delved deeply into the
intricacies of voice work, breaking it down into crucial components like mind, body, breath,
phonation, resonance, articulation, and text.
One of the most valuable aspects of working with Jack was his focus on helping me avoid
pushing from my throat. In the past, I had struggled with finding a balance between
projecting my voice and avoiding strain. Jack’s techniques helped me discover a more
balanced and sustainable approach, allowing me to use my voice effectively without fear of
damage. His emphasis on the “y-buzz” technique was particularly revelatory, helping me
reclaim my vocal strength and find a new sense of space and confidence in my performance.
What truly sets Jack apart is his respectful and supportive approach. He took the time to
understand my needs and respected my experience as an actor. His recognition of how
cultural and environmental factors influence vocal practice was enlightening, and his
encouragement to take up space and speak with authority was empowering.
Jack’s bright energy and humour made each session not only productive but also fun. I also
appreciated the personalised vocal warm-up routine that Jack helped me develop, which I
now use for every performance.
Having Jack in the rehearsal room for King Lear was invaluable. His ability to provide real-
time feedback and ensure that my lines were delivered with the appropriate strength and
clarity was crucial to my success in the role.
Jack’s guidance has transformed my craft as an actor. The practices and techniques I learned
from him will be integral to every production I undertake going forward. I cannot recommend
him highly enough for anyone seeking to enhance their vocal technique and overall
performance.“
Professional actors love working with Jack.
Take your acting career to the next level with intensive, masterful coaching from trusted coach, Jack Starkey-Gill.