I have always believed that vocal training is vital for all actors. While it is common for screen actors to believe that vocal training is only vital for stage performers as they must master vocal projection, controlling the power of your voice is a skill every actor of any concentration must possess.
Although there are many different vocal training techniques, there several areas of concentration the training must encompass.
Pronunciation
If you have improper pronunciation you will not only look at how your character would naturally speak based on geographical location, but also how to speak in such a manner that the audience may clearly understand your words despite any accent or cultural flare.
On the other hand, proper pronunciation is quite vital for classical plays as they accentuate the universality of every character within the production; not simply the idiosyncrasies found within individual characters. This type of pronunciation is one that is void of regional accents or flare; not the diminishing of character depth.
Articulation
If you have ever been to a play where the actor did not clearly articulate his words, then you will definitely understand the importance of articulation for actors. Although you may be portraying a character that isn’t “articulate” when it comes to the proper way of pronouncing words or carrying out his inner thoughts, you must have perfect articulation in order to be clearly heard.
Control of Voice Tempo
While the quality and clarity of your voice is paramount for any performer, I personally feel that the art of controlling your vocal tempo based on the emotional level of a character is among the most vital skills to master (when it comes to the voice of an actor). Controlling the tempo of your voice ensures that you properly convey the physiological and psychological undertones of a character’s current dilemma.