Embodied voice.
Effective speech.

Voice | Speech | Communication

Coaching for Actors

  • Impulse begins with breath. Breathing will make you a better listener and more capable of following your unique artistic impulses. By exploring voice through movement and text, you develop your instrument. Imagine the depths to which your artistry could grow. 

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  • Improve auditions immediately. By connecting your breath and your body you can bring your whole self to the work. Long-term you will develop a practice for healthier, more creative, and sustained artistry. Embodied play and vocal variety are where the character comes to life. This is how we create dynamic storytelling, turning “sticky moments” into the places you shine.

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  • From quick tips and tricks for the audition this afternoon, to mastering a dialect you need all the time. We'll build your repertoire, teach you how sounds are made and create muscle memory for long-term application. We can also connect the dialect to the character, tying it to your acting.

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Actor Blurbs

“Jillian created individualized exercises that catered to my specific needs. Using these exercises daily I noticed a marked difference. I felt more resonant, receptive, and ready to work.”

- Amber Lageman, actor

“With an extremely limited rehearsal schedule Jillian’s generosity and precision with the sounds helped the whole cast get on the same page with the dialects.”

- Aleksandr Krapivkin, Criminal Queerness curator 2023

“Her coaching helped me refine my American accent and improve my overall communication skills. I now speak with more ease and confidence, both on stage and in everyday life.”

- Tashnuva Anan

Coaching for Speakers

  • Clear communication is the key to strong team and client relationships. Maximize problem-solving, minimize errors, and help individuals thrive. I teach charisma —breathing, listening, and confident speaking—to help you build stronger leaders and collaborators. From refining social skills to empowering fearless leaders, enhancing interpersonal communication makes more effective, captivating, and enjoyable connections for everyone. Craft compelling pitches that highlight your company's strengths.

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  • If your team is ready to level up their presence, communication or presentation skills I can teach basic or advanced tools for any level. By bringing you team together we have the opportunity to learn in a group setting and support one another through practice.

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  • The success of an interview or a pitch has little to do with being the most qualified candidate or having the best product. It’s about knowing how to give the right answers, present yourself in the best light, and frame yourself or your product for your audience (the interviewer). Refining your interview and pitch skills builds your confidence, preparing you to highlight strengths and handle surprises.

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  • Your voice, like your identity, is yours to shape. I'll help you create a sound you love. We’ll talk about non-verbal communication, the ways it can be perceived as gendered, and how you would like to present.

    Trans and LGBQ+ individuals deserve culturally competent voice work to find their full, nuanced voices. This space welcomes all complexities of your identity and puts you in charge of your journey.

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Speaker Blurbs

Jillian was extremely positive and effective in her approach and the outcomes we were able to achieve from her work with TeamTD.

- Sujata Chaudhry, Executive Director, Tangible Development

Jillian’s work has helped me connect to my voice and my inner core. This shows up in my business with how I speak to clients and my intention to connect with them and serve them in the best way I possibly can.

- Sara T., Improviser and Consultant

Jillian helped me be more comfortable with my voice as a trans woman. She helped me to understand that I can make choices about how I sound using breath, inflection and resonance to be more comfortable giving out the type of voice I want.

- Monica Jones

Jllian's interview coaching helped me to gain the confidence I needed to secure the job offer I wanted! She helped me do this through example questions, posture/vocal coaching, and her relentless support.

- Amber Lageman, Actor and Administrative Professional

Coaching Process

What does working together look like?

Chemistry Call

Let’s chat! We’ll get to know each other, talk about your goals, and see if it’s a good fit.

Step 1

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Goal Setting

We’ll explore your unique voice and communication needs, identify what’s working, and pinpoint how you want to grow.

Step 2

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Design Your Plan

Together, we’ll map out a personalized coaching path that fits your style, schedule, and ambitions.

Step 3

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Dive Into Coaching

This is where the magic happens—practice, play, refine, and get what you want from your voice.

Step 4

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Integrate & Carry On

You take your new skills into the world with confidence, plus tools to keep your voice growing.

Step 5

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Your coach

Close-up portrait of a woman with blue eyes and long wavy brown hair, wearing a blue and white floral dress, smiling softly at the camera.

Jillian Courtney, MFA

On the journey to become a more authentic actor, I sought voice training—and discovered how transformative the work could be, not only in my acting but as a human. Since then, I’ve been devoted to helping others find ease and power in their own voices.

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Jillian is an internationally trained artist and performer. She earned a BFA in Theatre Arts from Boston University and an MFA in Acting from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. She is a certified teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework.

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