Best Colleges for Voice Acting. A growing demand exists for talented voice actors as animated films and television programs gain popularity and overdubbed foreign media becomes more popular.
Undoubtedly, voice acting has always been a significant career. Voice actors read content on the radio, record narration for television commercials, and contribute their skills for audiobooks.
But as any of those experts will point out, excellent voice acting requires more than merely reading text from a screen.
Considering a bachelor’s in acting is one option for people looking to enter the business since there are no schools in the United States that provide a degree in voice acting.
Despite this, a growing number of universities in the nation do provide minors and certificates in voice-over acting.
Future voice actors will graduate from each of the courses below with the abilities and information required to work in the industry. The physical control of the tongue and jaw as well as the details of recording and editing will all be covered.
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Can anyone engage in Voice Acting?
You’re already one step ahead of the game if you’ve taken acting or voice-over classes. The truth is that anyone can learn the abilities required to become a voice actor. You already have everything you need to succeed as an actor if you have a sincere passion in acting, a strong work ethic, and the will to succeed.
Voice actors undoubtedly play a significant role in the entertainment industry. Therefore, voice-over work can be something to consider if you have a fantastic voice but are having problems finding a well-paying employment.
Best Colleges for Voice Acting
Here are a few of the top universities for voice acting.
1. Temple university
Acting students can broaden their knowledge and training through Temple University’s Certificate in Voice and Speech, which is an extension of the theater department. Students who are passionate in acting but are not enrolled in the Theater program should apply for the certificate. The Certificate in Voice and Speech prepares students to seek a career as a voice actor with a four-course sequence totaling 12 credit hours.
The well-known Fitzmaurice Voicework approach forms the foundation of the certificate program. The Fitzmaurice Voicework approach utilizes the finest of traditional and conservatory principles utilized in theaters around the world, fusing classical note training with modern methodologies.
Through sight-reading and appropriate diction, using this technique will help pupils become more confident speaking into the microphone.
In addition, students will learn everything that they need to embark into a career as a voice actor. This information ranges from technical know-how to physical training, jaw and tongue strength exercises, and optimal breathing techniques. Students will also be prepared for acting careers on the stage and in films thanks to these skills.
Students pursuing a Certificate in Voice and Speech can take advantage of all the department’s resources even though it is intended for students outside the theatrical program. Students have access to the Joe First Media Center, which has all the recording and production tools they’ll need later in their careers, in addition to the school’s cutting-edge main stage.
Students can use these resources to make an impressive demo reel to present to casting directors and agents. Students will also learn from the top acting instructors at Temple. Sarah Doherty, a professor with twelve years of expertise, is one of the faculty members. Doherty has appeared in productions by the likes of Pig Iron, Theater Catalyst, and People’s Light & Theater in and around Philadelphia.
These illustrations show how the voice acting certificate enables students to follow their passion and career without having to declare a theater-related degree.
2. Columbia College Chicago (Chicago, IL)
The voiceover minor at Columbia College Chicago is your best option if you want to work as an actor in animated films, a reader of audiobooks, or a narrator for television commercials.
The voiceover minor, which is a component of the school’s theater department, gives students the information and abilities they’ll need to succeed as voiceover actors.
No matter how students wish to express themselves, Columbia can support them. They will learn how to adapt their acting for various media, how to annotate copy for outstanding vocal delivery, and much more.
Classes on radio production, making demos, and the fundamentals of voiceover are all required. These courses educate students the essentials of the craft while also encouraging them to consider the connection between their voices and the work they are producing.
Additionally, to hone their talents, students can select from advanced courses. Students in the advanced voice and articulation program hone their pronunciation and grammatical skills to sharpen their diction and communicate more clearly.
The mysteries of breathing, resonation, and projection are taught to students in the voice for non-theater majors course.
Students who pursue a voice acting minor collaborate with professionals in the field of communications, in contrast to the majority of the programs on this list that draw from performance academics.
Deb Doetzer, a seasoned actor who has voiced commercials for brands including State Farm, McDonald’s, Samsung, and others, is one of the professors.
In addition, Doetzer has a wealth of experience working in the video game industry, lending his voice to titles like Watch Dogs, Red Faction, and Injustice: Gods Among Us.
One of the founders of Columbia’s voiceover minor is adjunct professor Marssie Mencotti.
She applies the ideas she acquired from radio marketing and from acting in commercials for Nintendo, Wrigley’s Eclipse Gum, and Icehouse Beer to her teaching.
The voiceover minor at Columbia College Chicago is prepared to educate the upcoming generation of voiceover professionals thanks to the help of these gifted instructors.
3. Pace University (New York, NY)
Schools have been sluggish to incorporate training programs for kids, despite the fact that voice acting has long been seen as a respectable professional option for actors. Most schools, I guess.
The first undergraduate program in the US to include voice acting is Pace School of Performing Arts in New York.
The school’s BFA in Film, Television, Voice-overs, and Commercials adopts a conservatory method similar to what you’d find at conventional acting schools rather than separating voice acting from the rest of the program.
Along with taking intense training in vocal production and voice-over technique, students do master the art of physical preparation and commercial acting.
Students produce a senior showcase that serves as a demo reel at the end of the course that they can display to business people.
However, rest certain that it won’t be the first time that students and business people communicate. The Pace University faculty is made up of working individuals with extensive acting industry experience.
Lester Thomas Shane is one such teacher. Shane has a distinguished live-action career that includes prominent roles in the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. In addition, he has coached speech and dialect for NBC, HBO, and the Lincoln Center, among other studios and production companies.
Shane has also served as the director of other plays across the nation, including Shakespeare at the Met in Jacksonville, Florida, and the Manhattan Theatre Club.
Anthony Akin, an adjunct professor, uses his background in theater and film to teach students how to use their voices to fully inhabit a character.
Akin has a long list of stage appearances in New York, including credits at the Night Kitchen Theatre and the O’Neill Theater Conference.
Akin has had appearances on the big screen in movies including Sparrows Dance and Two Family House, as well as television dramas like The Americans and The Good Wife.
With assistance from instructors like these, Pace University’s distinctive curriculum equips students with the skills necessary to start a career as a voice actor.
4. Wichita State University (Wichita, KS)
Major entertainment hubs like New York and Los Angeles come to mind when considering where to discover prestigious universities with cutting-edge voice acting programs. However, a savvy student would do well to consider Kansas, where they might locate Wichita State University’s superb program.
The undergraduate certificate in voice acting at Wichita State combines all of the resources of their primary acting department and is housed in their School of Performing Arts.
As a result, many of the professors and classes from the theatre BA program are involved in the program.
Faculty members like Amy Baker Schwiethale, who appeared in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and the First National Broadway Tour of 42nd Street, will work with the students.
Students will get the chance to take part in plays ranging from classics like Shakespeare’s Love’s Labor’s Lost to contemporary works like Skye Robinson Hillis’ Go Like Saints.
They will receive full production team support and the chance to perform on one of the state’s biggest stages.
The voice acting certificate, however, is what really appeals to aspiring voice actors. Students pursuing a voice acting credential take courses to hone their vocal abilities in addition to theater classes.
One of the foundational courses is “Improving Voice and Diction,” a performance-based course that improves students’ knowledge of the vocal mechanism and proficiency with the International Phonetic Alphabet.
The advanced course “Voice Acting” covers everything from microphone setup to business best practices. Additionally, students take an audio production course that allows them to work directly with cutting-edge recording and mixing tools.
A program like this is in high demand, as you might anticipate. As is the case for admission to the majority of acting degree programs, applicants must audition.
But after being approved, students can add their names to the vast list of former students who have gone on to successful acting careers on stage, cinema, and, of course, behind the microphone.
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5. The College of Fine Arts at Boston University
The College of Fine Arts at Boston University is renowned for helping students hone their intellectual abilities to create art, challenge preconceptions, and think broadly.
Students who graduate from this approved college or university with a voice acting degree are prepared for careers in the entertainment industry.
Additionally, students are given the tools they need to develop their creative and intellectual capacities as well as their physical and vocal power, technique, and professionalism.
The School of Music, the School of Theatre, and the School of Visual Arts are all part of Boston University’s College of Fine Arts. The visual and performing arts are offered as bachelor’s and master’s degrees at each institution. Unquestionably, this university is among the greatest voice acting programs in the country.
6. California Institute of the Arts
A private art school called the California Institute of the Arts is located in Santa Clarita, California. It is among the top voice acting programs in the country. As the first college or university in the US to provide degrees to students who were interested in both the visual and performing arts, it was established in 1961. Admissions decisions are mostly made on the basis of past performance and artistic potential.
Enrolling in a voice acting degree program at CalArts is the best option compared to other universities since this institution fosters an intimate, creative environment that encourages one-on-one supervision and assistance. Every CalArts student also has a faculty mentor who supports them academically, creatively, and serves as a conduit to the professional industry while they are enrolled at the institution.
Because all of our teachers are working artists and educators, CalArts students get access to a wide variety of accomplished artists.
7. The Theatre School at DePaul University
The Theatre School, originally known as the Goodman School of Drama, is DePaul University’s drama school. The Goodman School was founded by the Goodman Theatre Company and opened its doors on January 5, 1925 at the Art Institute of Chicago. At the Theatre School at DePaul University, training for professional ability and artistry is delivered in a welcoming and diverse conservatory environment. With a faculty-to-student ratio of 1:6, this school provides a small-school B.F.A. experience.
The greatest way for actors to learn is by doing, and our specialized program encourages students to immerse themselves in Chicago’s vibrant theatrical scene while doing just that. Due to its commitment to diversity, this school—one of the greatest voice acting programs in the country—offers a welcoming environment for everyone.
8. Ithaca College
The learning environment at IC is centered on the moments of transformation when you find meaning, purpose, and other people. It was established in 1892 by a musician with lofty goals. The faculty and staff at Ithaca College are devoted to the success of their students.
In addition to being outstanding teachers and mentors, Ithaca College’s faculty members are dedicated to their own professional development so they can put what they have learned to good use.
Ithaca College is a school that recognizes the need of fusing academic theory with practical experience and a sharp emphasis on performance. Ithaca College students benefit from the small class numbers, individualized mentoring, group projects, and professional assistance offered by the college’s knowledgeable staff and top-notch facilities, which are normally found at larger universities.
More specifically, Ithaca College students work together to build strategic alliances, pioneer new forms of cooperation, and cooperate with academics, businesspeople, artists, and innovators on a worldwide scale. Without a doubt, this university is among the best in the world for studying voice acting.
How to succeed as a voice actor
Attending a voice acting school may help you hone your abilities as a voice actor. However, keep reading for some advice if you’d like to become a professional voice actor:
1. Practice:
Even if you don’t have access to a professional recording studio, you still need to practice. Voice-over professionals occasionally have home studios where they may record auditions, hone their skills, and listen to their recordings. Spend the time honing your voice, and you’ll impress casting directors and viewers alike.
2. Give your all to the part:
A skilled voice actor should be able to give a dramatic performance if the project calls for it. If you want to be regarded seriously, adopt the persona and put on an effective show.
The actor’s voice is used for all acting, which is the only distinction between voice acting and traditional acting. Therefore, be ready to immerse oneself in many roles at all times.
3. Do the necessary research for your character:
Developing distinct personalities with unique voice patterns requires conducting the right studies and investigations. You’ll be able to practice your lines and determine the best way to approach dialogue if you have a good understanding of your character.
It is essential that you carefully read the content before starting to record. Spend some time really understanding it if you want the intended outcomes.
4. Take good care of your voice:
Your long-term success as a voice actor depends on the health of your vocal chords. So, practice using your voice frequently.
5. Work with the best agency:
Voice acting is much more than just singing. The demands of potential clients are likewise evolving, and agencies are adapting accordingly. Voice agencies may go beyond merely providing talent; they work with actors to enhance and bolster their inherent skills. So, to enhance your skills, find the appropriate agency and join.
FAQS on Best Colleges for Voice Acting
Is there a high demand for voice acting?
The same Voices.com study revealed that 31% of brands are hiring freelancers, like voice actors, in 2022 at least once per week! That's an increase of 13% over 2021, meaning voice actor job growth continues to rise.
How would I get into voice acting?
No formal training is required for voiceover. Unlike stage or film acting, it's rare for aspiring voice actors to pursue a university degree exclusively to learn more about voiceover. Honing your technique, knowing your genres, and putting in the work are they keys to getting started in voice acting.
Is voice acting a skill or talent?
Voice acting is a skill. That said, everyone starts somewhere, and even the best voice actors continuously work to improve their craft. Many improve their skills by seeking out voice acting tips, just like the ones you'll find in this guide. Voice actors can live and work from anywhere in the world.
What education is needed to become a voice actor?
No formal education is required to become a voice actor, but obtaining a degree from an acting college or university is one path to learning all of the skills you need in one place.
Conclusion
There are college programs that are excellent for aspiring voice actresses, even though not all of them may grant degrees in the field. There are, however, shorter programs and one-time seminars you can enroll in to acquire specialized voice acting instruction if you don’t want to attend a four-year institution.
Once you’ve made the decision to pursue a career as a voice actor, be specific about the kind of work you want to accomplish. You can uncover recommendations for educational pathways to take that are job-specific if you use this information as the basis for your research.
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