Dianna Cortez


(she/her)

I'm

About

I am a New York City based actor, singer, director, and a voice/dialect coach. I have coached actors On and Off Broadway. Currently I serve as the Chair of Voice and Speech at Circle in the Square Theatre School, as well as teaching at the Syracuse University/Tepper Program in NYC (B.F.A), PACE University (B.F.A.-Film/TV/Commercial/Voice Over), The Linklater Center for Voice and Language.

Resume

Education

M.F.A. Southern Methodist University

2004

Professional Actor Training Program

As an MFA Acting student at S.M.U, I studied the Stanislavski based acting system. Character study through Classical, Modern, and Contemporary Scene Study, and Ensemble driven works. Voice, speech, and Movement classes included Linklater, Alexander, Le Coq, Commedia and Character Masks, European Clown, Gymnastics, Circus Trapeze and Juggling, Tai Chi, and Stage Combat with Hand to Hand and Rapier and Daggers.

B.F.A. Central Michigan University

2001

Majors in Acting and Vocal Performance

Graduating with a Double Major in Theatre with an emphasis in Acting, and Music with an emphasis in Vocal Performance. The Music degree consisted of 5 years of private Classical Singing lessons, and several classes in Music Theory, Music History, Sight Singing and Ear training, and Opera Performances.

Designated Linklater “Freeing the Natural Voice” Teacher

2012

Linklater voice work is an integrated approach to voice and bodywork. Although most people are born with the ability to express themselves freely, tension and stress over the course of a lifetime, debilitates this ability and limits the potential strength of one's vocal aliveness, and clear articulation. My goal is to revitalize and restore that birthright.

Certified Colaianni Speech/Phonetic Pillows Practitioner

2014

Louis Colaianni Speech work grows seamlessly out of Linklater voice work: Focusing on--Empowerment and Identity through an experiential study of Phonetics.

Professional Experience

Theatres, Universities and Studios:

  • Private Voice Studio in NYC
    2020 - Present
  • Syracuse University/Tepper Program B.F.A. Dialects
    2015 - Present
  • The New Group Theatre, NY, NY
    2005-2017
  • Liverpool Playhouse, Liverpool, England
    Fall 2010
  • Schoenfeld Theatre, NY, NY
    Winter 2010
  • The Beckett Theatre, NY, NY
    2010- 2019
  • New Brooklyn Theatre hosted at Irondale Center, NY, NY
    Summer 2015
  • Schoenfeld Theatre, NY, NY
    Winter 2010
  • PACE University
    2013 - Present
  • New York City Conservatory of Dramatic Arts
    Summer 2021
  • Circle in the Square Theatre School, NY, NY
    2014 - Present
  • The Linklater Center
    2012 - Present
  • Lee Strasberg Institute of Film and Television
    2018-2019
  • The Hagen Institute: HB Studio
    2013-2015
  • Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
    2008-2013

Portfolio

Abridged

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare directed by Marcus Kamie

The Frankophile

Directed by Michael Page

Therese Raquin

Forbidden love drowned in love by Neal Bell

“A Fireside Celtic Christmas” an evening of Music and Poetry with instrumentalists Henco Espag (Piano), Laura Dadap (Cello), and Chihiro Shibayama (Percussion).

Dance Lombre, an Evening of French Songs'

Mezzo Soprano: Dianna Cortez
Pianist: Mina Son

The Most Beautiful Lullany You've Ever Heard
by Greg Romero

Directed by Andrew J.Merkel

Most recent Performance Art works

“Dans L’ombre: in the shadows”

Created the Devised Music-Theatre-Music “Dans L’ombre: in the shadows” one-woman show combining Classical Music/Opera/Poetry and Butoh Dance which was performed at the Midland Center for the Arts, and in a Salon performance in Charlotte, NC.

Click here to listen to Performances

“A Fireside Celtic Christmas”

Developed “A Fireside Celtic Christmas” an evening of Music and Poetry with instrumentalists Henco Espag (Piano), Laura Dadap (Cello), and Chihiro Shibayama (Percussion) performed at The Farm Soho in NYC.

Click here to listen to Performances

“Hymn to Life”

Performed in “Hymn to Life” a Devised Physical Theatre/Interdisciplinary Ensemble Composed by David Skeist, and performed in VASTA’s Identity Cabaret in Seattle, WA singing “La Vie En Rose.”

Click here to listen to Performances

Testimonials

Susan Stein

Actor-Writer

Dianna has the rare ability to make her classes feel simultaneously like private sessions as well as learning from each other in a class setting. It is no surprise that she is a great performer in her own right. Rooted inside all of her work is a brilliant creative spirit and a large heart.

Anthony Bucci

Actor

The relationship to my voice can be divided into two eras: before Dianna, and after Dianna. Her guidance has shown me how to use the voice as an instrument of expression and communication with the world. This goes far beyond the realm of performance and art, it has changed my life.

Yokko

Theatre Artist

Dianna is an amazing voice & speech coach. She has a wide range of knowledge in the fields she teaches and knows how to guide actors for our needs and purposes. I have been working with her for the past few years, and I always go back to her when I have an audition, a project, and a performance. Highly recommend it!

Constantine Tsoucalas

Actor

Working with Dianna was truly one of the greatest artistic experiences of my life. I feel extremely lucky to have found her in my artistic journey. And from working with celebrated actors to beginners, Dianna can help anyone in their quest to create deep, interesting, grounded, and emotionally-alive characters.

Services

Open to collaborate as a Performance Artist and Director

As a Performance Artist it is my desire to collaborate with fellow artists as an Actor, Singer, or Director. My passion is to create performance art that integrates imagery, text, music, voice and movement, multimedia, poetry, and song, as well as, classical, modern, and well-written contemporary plays, voice-overs, film, and television.
Click here to see my Theatre Resume

Voice, Speech, and Dialect Coach

  • My goal is to unlock the uniqueness of one's individual and identifiable voice and dialect, and strengthen their access to powerful communication. The speech work continues seamlessly from the foundational voice work, and builds into transformational World Dialects.
  • Clients have included a wide range of professionals: teachers, advocacy, public speaking, politicians, corporate executives, children, Broadway/Film/Television for performers, and any person with the desire to build confidence in speaking.
Click here to learn more

Contact

Call:

+917-597-1401