Actors’ perception on the role of speech therapy in cinema, dubbing, theatre and television contexts in Portugal

Abstract

Introduction: Speech therapists and the actors have developed straight professional relations in some countries. Therefore, a growing expansion has been observed in the speech therapist intervention in several working contexts of professional actors. In Portugal, this situation is poorly known.Objective: Describe and relate the perception of professional actors from different performance areas (cinema, dubbing, theater and television), about the role of speech therapists in their working contexts. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted, using an online questionnaire to collect data in a sample of 72 actors from all regions of Portugal. Results: In the dubbing and theater contexts, speech therapists are assessed as extremely important, while in television and cinema they are classified as important. Although respondents consider as highly important the integration of speech therapists in their working teams, they mostly reveal a partial awareness about speech therapy. In the actors’ opinion, speech therapists may have a role in the four analyzed contexts, especially in the following areas: voice therapy, voice warmup guidance, and follow-up assistance. Conclusion: Actors are receptive to work with speech therapists, although they have a narrow view of their functions. Speech therapists are considered partially prepared to work with actors, so work is needed to better adapt to their vocal and professional needs, according with each working context.