The Current Use of Standard Dialects in the United States Theatre Industry

Abstract

ABSTRACT As a continuation of a research agenda focused on the current use of standard dialects in the United States, this study explores the 2018–19 production seasons of regional and Broadway theatres, and interviews industry professionals to weigh in on the topic of standard dialects in the industry. In this mixed methods study, quantitative and qualitative data were collected through (Phase 1) surveys from regional theatres; (Phase 2) surveys from Broadway coaches; and (Phase 3) expert interviews with industry professionals and speech practitioners. The major findings included: (1) “no standard dialect utilized” yielded the highest number of responses for productions of regional theatres; (2) Broadway coaches utilized General American and Location Specific Accents the most; and (3) industry professionals regarded flexibility and malleability as the most beneficial speech skills. The pedagogical implications of this research suggest that focusing on speech skills rather than acquisition of one standardized dialect as the “industry standard” is one way speech practitioners can better align their curricula with the theatre industry’s expectations and the need for a more inclusive approach to teaching speech.