Acting students write haikus to track progress, publish book

Students in the vocal production class are contributing poems to yearly anthologies.

Kate Brennan, associate professor of voice and theater, invites her students to record their thoughts during class sessions in a haiku style. Students say it’s a mindful exercise and it gives them confidence.

“They get to have this to remind them of all the work they did,” said Brennan. “It feels like an accomplishment.” 

Brennan utilizes the Linklater method for students to understand the potential of their voice. The method uses body awareness, breath, touch, sound, and vibration. 

“You could use your whole body as an instrument,” said Brennan. 

After sessions, she asks her students to jot down syllables. Students write down their thoughts about the exercises in increments. 

Brennan said before the students know it, they have written a haiku by the end of class. 

Joe Bonfiglio, acting senior, said he appreciates this way of tracking the class.

“It was so refreshing,” Bonfiglio said. “It’s so refreshing to go back into my work.” 

Bonfiglio said it was helpful to go back to the haiku and remember those thoughts and feel grounded. 

Students from previous classes have created books with all the haikus. They are called “Here I am, I am Here” and “X Number of Days After the Eclipse.” Brennan sent them to Kristin Linklater, the creator of the Linklater Progression. 

The students’ haikus are a tribute to the results of the method and how it teaches them to be aware of their body and voice, Brennan said.

Brennan said she has seen her students’ confidence grow in voice and speech. The haikus captured the students’ progression in vocal production, Brennan said. She hopes the book is a source of inspiration. 

“Years later they could revisit it,” said Brennan. “The book also allows classmates to see each others’ work at the end of the year and relate.”

Vocal production students said they have already bought some previous classes’ books. The poems cost $3.99 to purchase in person and are listed on Lulu at $7.99. For more information, contact Kate Brennan.