Lee Colee' Atnip
About
With 45+ years in the industry as a vocalist, actress in film/TV, director, coach and voice over talent, many of my alum students now work professionally in opera, music theatre, film, concert work and voice over. I'm very proud of them! They are now my colleagues. My last television credits include voice over work for Comcast, Junga, the Dancing Yeti You tube series, Mighty Man cartoon series, an on camera appearance for Netflix (Bad Thoughts, Episode 2), The Food Channel (Worst Cooks in America, Season 29) and commercials for Emerald Nuts.
For 20 years I owned and operated The Black Diamond Cabaret Theatre and Theatre Conservatory outside Austin, TX. Each summer a three week teen summer music theatre bootcamp was produced with a full length production, with Broadway expectations of professionalism and regulations as well as 13 performances to simulate a long running show.
I was trained in New York at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, 11 time Emmy winner, James Alburger, as well as being a member in good standing with NATS (National Association of Tearchers of Singing), won several awards for voice over work (Junga, the Dancing Yeti and the audio drama, "Alice in Wonderland."
Theatre leading credits include Christine in Phantom of the Opera, concert version, Aldonza in Man of LaMancha and Lizzie in both The Rainmaker and 110 in the Shade. Also appeared in two different professional productions of Chorus Line as Connie and Morales.
My hobbies are performing stand up and tap dancing!
Teaching Style
When coaching my students both amateur, aspiring professionals and working performers, I use a three step method to not only master the skills needed but to find their unique spark that will help them nail that audition and land that leading role. With the success of this method with my private clients I decided as a professional speaker to share these techniques with those wanting to develop communication skills, find their stage presence and own the room when they walk in and onto the set or the stage.
Curriculum
Acting comes from the word, "action," which means to "do." With this in mind, the technique of becoming a character and not yourself, starts with creating the actions and reactions a person might do in life under described circumstances. Voice over is actually called voice acting. If you've been told you have a nice voice, this does not mean you're a natural for VO. It's how you use that voice to create something real with imaginary circumstances. Acting techniques are the same for stage and film. A text book I use is my mentor's 7th edition of "The Art of Voice Acting," by James Alburger. His books are considered the bible in most media departments in universities. Using a mix of improv, scene breakdowns, character analysis and self exploration, I lead my students and clients into their own interpretation of motivations, choices and commitment to their instincts.