Lisa Nathans

Lisa Nathans is an Associate Professor of Voice and Acting within the School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies at the University of Maryland. She is a certified Colaianni Speech Practitioner and a Designated Linklater Voice Instructor. Lisa received her MFA in Voice Studies through London’s Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. She has taught previously for CalArts/California Institute of the Arts, Stella Adler Academy (Los Angeles), the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (England), Royal Welsh College (Wales), Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (England), University of Washington: Professional Actor Training Program (MFA), and the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater Program (BFA). Her graduate dissertation, Hearing Voice/Feeling Speech, investigated diverse strategies for teaching phonetics to conservatoire acting students. Lisa is a professional voice and dialect director and coach. She is also an active member of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association.

Education / Training:

• M.F.A. in Voice Studies, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, 2015
• B.F.A. in Theater Arts: Acting, Boston University, 2008

Professional Affiliations:

• Board Member and Board Liaison for Publications, international Voice and Speech Trainer’s Association, 2020 to present
• Designated Linklater Voice Teacher, 2014
• Certified Joy of Phonetics and Accents Speech Practitioner, 2013

Awards / Recognition:

• National Scholar, Congressional Leadership Council
• U.S. President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement
• Director, She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms (World Premiere Digital Zoom Performance at UMD: TDPS), recognized by playwright Qui Nguyen and cited in Samuel French Play Publication as original production director alongside Associate Professor Jared Mezzocchi, 2020

Representative Productions - Voice, Text, and Accent Direction and Coaching:

• 2020, Bacchanal (directed by Jared Mezzocchi/written by Jen Barclay), VidCo Productions (Live Zoom Performance)
• 2020, Celia and Fidel, world premiere, Arena Stage (directed by Molly Smith)
• 2020, Silent Sky, Ford’s Theatre (directed by Seema Sueko)
• 2020, Merry Wives of Windsor, Folger Shakespeare Theatre (directed by Aaron Posner)
• 2020, Gun and Powder (vocal consultant), world premiere, Signature Theatre (directed by Robert O’Hara)
• 2019, Dear Jack Dear Louise, world premiere, written by Ken Ludwig, Arena Stage (directed by Jackie Maxwell)
• 2019, Newsies, Arena Stage (directed by Molly Smith)
• 2019, Velveteen Rabbit, Adventure Theatre MTC (directed by Jenna Duncan)
• 2019, Escaped Alone (vocal consultant), Signature Theatre (directed by Holly Twyford)
• 2019, Mary Stuart, Olney Theatre Center (directed by Jason Loewith)
• 2019, Junk, Arena Stage (directed by Jackie Maxwell)
• 2019, JQA, Arena Stage (directed by Aaron Posner)
• 2019, Vanity Fair (world premiere), Shakespeare Theatre Company (directed by Jessica Stone)
• 2019, Vanity Fair, American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco CA (directed by Jessica Stone)
• 2019, Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity (vocal consultant), Signature Theatre Company (directed by Nadia Tass)
• 2018, Anything Goes, Arena Stage (directed by Molly Smith)
• 2018, Wicker Husband, National Alliance for New Musical Theatre Festival, NYC, NY (directed by Charlie Westenra)
• 2018, The Baltimore Waltz, Keegan Theatre (directed by Susan Rhea)
• 2018, Bridges Over Madison County, Keegan Theatre (directed by Kurt Boehm) 
• 2018, 4,380 Nights, Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA (directed by Kathleen Ackerly)
• 2017, Elemental: Hydrogen vs. Hindenburg, National Geographic, Television Pilot (Directed by Burr Steers, NatGeo Network option for full series; Pilot aired April 2nd)
• 2017, Me…Jane: The Dreams and Adventures with Young Jane Goodall, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC (directed by Aaron Posner)
• 2017, Crazy for You, Signature Theater, Arlington, VA (directed by Matthew Gardiner)
• 2017, Hir (vocal consultant), Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Washington DC (directed by Shana Cooper)
• 2017, Midwestern Gothic, Signature Theater, Arlington, VA (directed by Matthew Gardiner)
• 2017, Mnemonic, Theater Alliance, Washington, DC (directed by Colin Hovde)
• 2017, The Secret Garden, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, WA (directed by David Armstrong)
• 2016, The Secret Garden, Shakespeare Theater Company, Washington, DC (directed by David Armstrong)
• 2016, Titanic, Signature Theater, Arlington, VA (Helen Hayes Award Nominated Production- directed by Eric Schaeffer)
• 2016, Freaky Friday (Vocal Consultant - World Premiere), Signature Theater, Arlington, VA (directed by Christopher Ashley)
• 2016, Fully Committed, Metro Stage, Arlington, VA (directed by Alan Paul)