Joanna Weir Ouston

Joanna is an accomplished Voice Coach of international repute training and coaching professional actors, and also a specialist in Presentation and Communication Skills training for business and media. She trained in Voice at the Central School of Speech and Drama, and is the UK’s leading Linklater Teacher.

Her work focuses on developing vocal and physical presence, increasing the power and depth of the performance (be it on the stage, in the media, or the meeting room), and maximizing each person’s potential as a performer, presenter, manager, negotiator, and leader.

Through her company, Vocal Profile, she works extensively in business, media, and theatre as a coach, director, and consultant. Her training has been of immense benefit to professionals across a range of industry sectors, including law, publishing, insurance, retail, finance, telecommunications, oil, not-for-profit, and media both in the UK and internationally.

Since 1989 Joanna has been one of the core lecturers on the M.A. Voice Studies programme at the Central School of Speech and Drama, London, and is Head of Voice at The Oxford School of Drama. She is also a guest lecturer in Voice and Acting on the BA and BFA programs for Florida State University.

Joanna has directed for the theatre in the UK, USA, and Australia, and has worked as a writer for radio and television, mainly writing comedy and some advertising. She also co-wrote and directed a radio series, which was released internationally, about success in business.

Articles about Joanna’s work in business and theatre have appeared in the press in the UK, the USA, and Australia. She has also been interviewed on radio. Joanna has presented papers and led workshops at international conferences, and contributed a chapter on breath, performance and emotion to Breath In Action, published by JKP.