Kristin Linklater is a professor in the theater department at Columbia University School of the Arts in New York City, as of July 2010. She studied acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Linklater is the author of "Freeing the Natural Voice."
The Linklater method is influenced by the Alexander Technique, another popular form of training that helps actors become comfortable in their own body and voice. Linklater's approach to voice training encourages actors to liberate or "free" their natural voice from a place of honesty, rather than developing a specific "actor voice" or technique.
Linklater's method of training can be emotionally and physically rigorous and rewarding. Many of the exercises are designed to evoke authentic emotions through the use of specific vocal chords, body movements and nasal passages. Only a handful of teachers, both nationally and internationally, are qualified to train students in her method via a certification process.
Linklater has been a vocal coach or speech consultant on various Broadway productions, including "Into the Woods" and "Sunday in the Park With George."
"The New York Times" reported in July 2010 that a group of fellows from the World Economic Forum studied with Linklater. It was the first time a component of the arts had been incorporated into the fellowship program.