Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to D’Arcy Smith. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, D’Arcy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I’ve been lucky to work on a number of exciting and different creative projects. I work as a performance director for digital mediums working in voice over, film, and motion capture. I spend most of my time working with actors and in video games or film, but still work in theatre from time to time.

I guess one of my favorites has been in creating and training teachers in Vocal Combat Technique®.

Vocal Combat Technique®., (VCT) is a voice training method to help actors go to vocal extremes for stage, film, and voice over. It has been developed over many years, starting with stage work, then video games. I began training students in how to shout, scream, wail, and make sounds for combat when I noticed that they needed to do these sounds over and over again in productions.

Once I had a method created and actors were reporting that it was helping them, I partnered with Katelyn Reid and the Otolaryngology Department at UC to test the method. It has been proven effective in two studies in a medical journal – The Journal of Voice.

While I’ve trained 100s of actors for vocal extremes, the most exciting part for me now is training other voice teachers in the technique. Already it is being used in actor training programs in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started out as an actor and had really bad stage fright. It was my voice teacher, David Smukler, who really taught me to ground myself, use that energy, and focus it into a communication event.

That experience has made me passionate about communication and helping others express themselves, whether they are an actor, doctor, lawyer, or CEO. I regularly coach people in effective communication and presentation skills and LOVE seeing them become more empowered to tell their stories and succeed in whatever business they do.

I work now as a professional Performance Director and Professor of Acting at the University of Cincinnati, working mostly in the video game industry.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Even though I have been working as a coach and director for many years I’m still learning and adapting and I love that. I’m particularly passionate about the intersection of art, science, and technology and using new tech to help people tell their stories and express themselves.

When I’m directing on a project I love collaborating with a team. For example, when I’m directing VO for a video game, working with the designers, writers, and the actors is my favorite part of the process. All of us have skills and knowledge to bring to the table and are necessary to create excellent work. Everyone needs to feel free to have a voice in the process.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had known that you can ask for help. You don’t have to do everything on your own, and most people are happy to give advice. Do your research and then give your idea a try. Reach out to those who are doing the thing you want to do and see if you can help them, if they can offer advice, if there is something they recommend you do or where to begin.

Community is important and having a team of experts that you trust that can help you find your blindspots is essential. Find like minded people and team up with them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.darcysmithvoice.com
• Instagram: @darcysmithvoice
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darcysmithvoice/
• Other: https://www.vocalcombat.com

Image Credits

Eric Shabla