mVm—a voice and acting technique

What is mVm?

mVm is a voice technique–like Linklater, Fitzmaurice, Chuck Jones–that puts breath at the core of your acting craft.

mVm is also an acting technique–like Michael Chekhov, Uta Hagen, Stanislavski–that considers both text and character when building a performance.

Unlike other techniques, mVm is primarily interested in the audience’s experience and relationship to the performance.

Many mVm acting exercises focus on the audience perception and how it may align or differ from the performer’s experience.

Historically, this audience focus has been the job of the director, writer, playwright, or editor. mVm broadens that awareness to the actor, empowering them to take ownership of this shared responsibility.

It all starts with Active Breath…

The Active Breath “is a continuous flow of inhale and exhale without the pauses or holds at the top or bottom of the breath, which would normally occur in passive breathing states.”

Scott Miller, John Patrick, Liam Joynt & Kristi Dana (2018): Vocal Traditions: Miller Voice Method, Voice and Speech Review, 12:1, 86-95, DOI: 10.1080/23268263.2018.1435610

“The voice is **fueled by the thought/imagination, the impulse and the breath**. The Active Breath, specifically, removes the barrier for time to control or manipulate the expression.”

Kristi Dana (2021): Unearthing “Vocal Transparency”: The Integration of the Miller Voice Method and Michael Chekhov Technique, Voice and Speech Review, DOI: 10.1080/23268263.2021.1896246

“We develop each actor’s full melodic range, placement, and tempo suppleness in order to deliver intonation that supports strong and clear points of view, which opens the **gateway for the audience** to see more of themselves.”

Scott Miller, John Patrick, Liam Joynt & Kristi Dana (2018): Vocal Traditions: Miller Voice Method, Voice and Speech Review, 12:1, 86-95, DOI: 10.1080/23268263.2018.1435610

“We devise exercises aimed at **partnering with intuition over prediction.** We understand prediction is a fundamental way our species survives. However, in the safe space of acting, intuition (not prediction) creates compelling moments.”

Scott Miller, John Patrick, Liam Joynt & Kristi Dana (2018): Vocal Traditions: Miller Voice Method, Voice and Speech Review, 12:1, 86-95, DOI: 10.1080/23268263.2018.1435610

“The **breath should be guiding the show, and the flow**, instead of me leading an agenda. The allowing of active breath to lead, caused a more authentic moving of text and body.”

Kristi Dana (24 Oct 2023): Unearthing “Vocal Transparency” Part Two: The Integration of the Miller Voice Method and the Michael Chekhov Technique—Breath for Transformation, Voice and Speech Review, DOI: 10.1080/23268263.2023.2272553

But don’t take our word for it…

“I love Scott’s work because it is anatomically based and psychologically astute. It is a psycho-physical approach that demands the student’s full commitment to looking at their habitual body with open eyes. I have seen the results. Change will happen; open body, open voice, open heart. I highly recommend this method of training.”
Fay Simpson
Founder of Lucid Body Institute
Author of The Lucid Body, A Guide for the Physical Actor
“I had my first gig after school—just a day player spot on a show—and I used everything you taught me to prepare. All of the training under duress stuff you taught is insanely valuable, because it’s so insanely distracting on set. Anyway, all of this is to say THANK YOU. I have much to learn but I am so grateful for the tools you introduced me to.”
Jared Canfield
Actor
“I will never look at my self tapes in the same way ever again. The breathing, the Active Breath can be used to improve and vary my acting. Remembering to breathe will help with relaxation as well.”
mVm Academy student
“I had no expectations, so it was 100% new delights. Towards the end, I had a really big release in my voice -- I felt like I released many years of stored tension. It helped me in 9 billion ways. It helps us find our own authenticity. I think it's very empowering.”
mVm Academy student
“Wonderful teacher and insightful explorations. I absolutely love [mVm]. It is simple and yet revealing. This course strengthens focus, releases tensions in the body under duress and improves your performance work.”
mVm Academy student
“I teach and I direct and have found that because of what mVm reveals I can see the actors in a sharper, richer, more vulnerable and more expansive way. I am present in a different way and in that presence I am able to receive more information that helps me better lead the actors.”
Tia James
mVm Teacher-in-Training, mVm Associated Teacher, Actor and Director, UNC Chapel Hill/PlayMakers Rep.
“Having studied many different voice techniques, mVm is the first one to give me the tools to measurably support my breath and my voice, both literally and figuratively. It’s helped me approach acting and speaking with ease and breath instead of tension and muscularity. I’ve gained confidence, technique, and presence as an mVm practitioner. So thankful for the skills I’ve gained as an actor, a speaker, and voice educator!”
Deanna Ott
Actor, Voice Coach

mVm Essentials for Acting

Mondays, March 31 - May 19

2.5-hour weekly Zoom class + access to mVm Gym’s live virtual workouts (60-min, 2x per week) for two months

This course is a fast-paced kick start to incorporate mVm into your acting. We will develop your awareness of self and sound, beginning with the core mVm concept of Active Breath.
We will move through foundational exercises to release muscle tension, develop flexibility in the voice, increase awareness of the breath, and apply all of this in real time.
You will practice these new skills under increasing levels of complexity, which will encourage access to new, more efficient vocal habits under performance conditions—skills you can start using right away.
- Learn foundational mVm exercises
- Get live instruction from a certified mVm teacher
- Receive access to asynchronous online content to support your learning
- Begin the journey toward a more authentic, resonant voice
- Integrate what you’re learning in real-time using text and presence exercises
- Discover new ways to approach monologue and scene work, with a focus on breath
- Active Breath
- Jaw & Tongue Release
- Coordinating Sound with Airflow
- Pitch Flexibility
- Building Your Warmup Toolbox
- Applying New Skills to Memorized Text
Choose one of the following…
- Monday afternoons
  12:00 to 2:30pm EDT (New York)
  9:00 to 11:30am PDT (Los Angeles)
  5:00 to 7:30pm BST (London)
- Monday evenings
  6:30 to 9:00pm EDT (New York)
  3:30 to 6:00pm PDT (Los Angeles)
  *Tuesdays, 8:30 to 11:00am AEST (Sydney)

Enroll in afternoon class

Enroll in evening class

mVm—a voice and acting technique

What is mVm?

mVm is a voice technique–like Linklater, Fitzmaurice, Chuck Jones–that puts breath at the core of your acting craft.

mVm is also an acting technique–like Michael Chekhov, Uta Hagen, Stanislavski–that considers both text and character when building a performance.

Unlike other techniques, mVm is primarily interested in the audience’s experience and relationship to the performance.

Many mVm acting exercises focus on the audience perception and how it may align or differ from the performer’s experience.

Historically, this audience focus has been the job of the director, writer, playwright, or editor. mVm broadens that awareness to the actor, empowering them to take ownership of this shared responsibility.

It all starts with Active Breath…

The Active Breath “is a continuous flow of inhale and exhale without the pauses or holds at the top or bottom of the breath, which would normally occur in passive breathing states.”

“The voice is fueled by the thought/imagination, the impulse and the breath. The Active Breath, specifically, removes the barrier for time to control or manipulate the expression.”

“We develop each actor’s full melodic range, placement, and tempo suppleness in order to deliver intonation that supports strong and clear points of view, which opens the gateway for the audience to see more of themselves.”

“We devise exercises aimed at partnering with intuition over prediction. We understand prediction is a fundamental way our species survives. However, in the safe space of acting, intuition (not prediction) creates compelling moments.”

“The breath should be guiding the show, and the flow, instead of me leading an agenda. The allowing of active breath to lead, caused a more authentic moving of text and body.”

mVm Essentials for Acting

Mondays, March 31 - May 19

2.5-hour weekly Zoom class + access to mVm Gym’s live virtual workouts (60-min, 2x per week) for two months

mVm—a voice and acting technique

What is mVm?

mVm is a voice technique–like Linklater, Fitzmaurice, Chuck Jones–that puts breath at the core of your acting craft.

mVm is also an acting technique–like Michael Chekhov, Uta Hagen, Stanislavski–that considers both text and character when building a performance.

Unlike other techniques, mVm is primarily interested in the audience’s experience and relationship to the performance.

Many mVm acting exercises focus on the audience perception and how it may align or differ from the performer’s experience.

Historically, this audience focus has been the job of the director, writer, playwright, or editor. mVm broadens that awareness to the actor, empowering them to take ownership of this shared responsibility.

It all starts with Active Breath…

The Active Breath “is a continuous flow of inhale and exhale without the pauses or holds at the top or bottom of the breath, which would normally occur in passive breathing states.”

“The voice is fueled by the thought/imagination, the impulse and the breath. The Active Breath, specifically, removes the barrier for time to control or manipulate the expression.”

“We develop each actor’s full melodic range, placement, and tempo suppleness in order to deliver intonation that supports strong and clear points of view, which opens the gateway for the audience to see more of themselves.”

“We devise exercises aimed at partnering with intuition over prediction. We understand prediction is a fundamental way our species survives. However, in the safe space of acting, intuition (not prediction) creates compelling moments.”

“The breath should be guiding the show, and the flow, instead of me leading an agenda. The allowing of active breath to lead, caused a more authentic moving of text and body.”

mVm Essentials for Acting

Mondays, March 31 - May 19

2.5-hour weekly Zoom class + access to mVm Gym’s live virtual workouts (60-min, 2x per week) for two months

About This Class

Content

Points of Focus

Schedule