Training performers for the real musical theatre world - with Kevin Michael Cripps

Send us Fan MailIn this powerhouse episode, Kevin Michael Cripps, Head of Singing at Guildford School of Acting, joins Jeremy and Gillyanne for a deep dive into the realities of training musical theatre performers in the 21st century.Kevin shares what it’s really like to work inside one of the UK’s leading drama schools—and how teaching voice has shifted to reflect individuality, neurodiversity, and longevity.🎭 Individuality vs Industry Expectations→ How GSA nurtures authentic vocal identities in a results-driven world→ Why "cookie cutter" training harms the industry—and the performer🎓 Bridging Education & Professional Life→ What students think the industry expects vs what it really needs→ The critical difference between drama school feedback and audition feedback→ Helping students navigate casting mismatches and unrealistic vocal ideals🧠 Pedagogy & Psychological Safety→ How Kevin builds a "multi-lexical" teaching staff for diverse learners→ Replacing the toxic “give 110%” mindset with sustainable performance→ Empowering students to feel they are enough in their own structures🎤 Practical Voice Training Strategies→ Why “it doesn’t feel hard” doesn’t mean “it’s not working”→ Peer-led learning through small group singing sessions→ Tackling buzzwords like “speechy” and “purple” in professional settings💼 Career Longevity & Self-Marketing→ Teaching students to own their instrument as a business asset→ The new digital skills actors must develop (reels, social, filming)→ Why some grads succeed in their 30s—not their 20s—and that’s OKThis episode is essential listening for:✔️ Singing teachers & vocal coaches in drama or music theatre✔️ Performers navigating conservatoire life or early careers✔️ Choral directors and educators seeking inclusive, forward-thinking pedagogy✔️ Anyone frustrated by industry myths around “belting,” casting types, and “sounding right”🎧 Listen, learn, laugh—and maybe rethink your entire teaching approach.Remember to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more insightful episodes. Leave a comment below on what inspired you the most! 👇You can find out about our Teacher Accreditation for singing teachers, vocal coaches and choir leaders and start your own journey here https://vocalprocess.co.uk/teacher-accreditation/We've also got this ↓ For the best self-guided learning, check out the Vocal Process Learning Lounge - 22 years of vocal coaching resources (over 600 videos) for less than the price of one private singing lesson. Click on the link https://vocalprocess.co.uk/learning-lounge/learning-lounge-level-2-deep-dive/ If you want to discover if our singing teacher training programme works for YOU, message us - we can share the process for joining Cohort26. https://www.cognitoforms.com/VocalProcess1/TheAccreditationProgramme Get the One Minute Voice Warmup app here, it's got a 4.9star rating Appstore https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/one-minute-voice-warmup/id1212802251 Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.speechtools.warmup&hl=en_GB   Check out our Voice Journal, written with Rayvox's Oren Boder https://www.rayvox.co.uk/products/voice-journal?ref=VOCALPROCESS  Find us - follow us on the socials! 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/Vocalprocess   📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vocalprocess  📖 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vocalprocess #vocalprocess #teacheraccreditation #voicetraining