Who We Are: Nancy Houfek

Nancy Houfek is Head of Voice & Speech for the American Repertory Theatre at Harvard University where she teaches graduate courses in vocal production, coaches the professional acting company, and administers the M.F.A. in voice training pedagogy. Nancy has presented workshops using theatre techniques for the Derek Bok Center for Teaching & Learning, the Harvard Medical School, the Kennedy School of Government, the Radcliffe Fellows program, as well as for clients in the private sector. A film of her work with Harvard faculty, “The Act of Teaching,” has been produced by the Bok Center for national distribution to faculty development centers. She has coached professional speakers since 1978, and, with Lee Warren, led Strong Women/Strategic Performance workshops since 1999 in the United States and Canada.

Nancy holds a B.A. from Stanford University and an M.F.A. from the American Conservatory Theatre. She has directed or performed over 100 plays or musicals off-Broadway and at regional theatres throughout the country. Faculty positions include the University of Washington, the Drama Studio of London, A.C.T., Southern Methodist University, and the University of Minnesota where she headed the actor-training program. She is published in The Voice & Speech Review, The Complete Voice and Speech Workout and the VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainer’s Association) Newsletter. Nancy is a Master Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework.