Quarantine Stories-VASTA: From Concurrent Pandemics to Innovation

Abstract

ABSTRACT Voice and speech practitioners have navigated unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, thirty scholar-artists assembled to discuss the realities of navigating their field during these challenges. Fifteen hours of video content was edited into an hour-long digital presentation that highlighted these individuals and their collective journeys. This article provides an analysis of the collected knowledge of the specialists who facilitate voice and speech-work in theatre, television, and corporate environments as presented in the digital documentary called “Quarantine Stories-VASTA.” This article explores the questions: (1) How has the first 15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic changed voice and speech specialists as educators? (2) What innovative instructional methods have been discovered? (3) What innovative practices should continue past the current crisis? This article documents the practice as research methodology and artistic choices within the final digital presentation. Ultimately, the study concludes that the pandemic and the concurrent racial justice movement have led to innovation and a positive impact that will change the voice and speech field for years to come.