Speaking of Dialect
Seen the movie "Unstoppable" yet? Actor Chris Pine, a California native, didn't come by that working-class Midwestern accent naturally.
The director called on Don Wadsworth, a professor of voice and speech in Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama, to coach him on it.
An actor himself, Wadsworth is a favorite among Hollywood stars as well as students.
"Don Wadsworth always brings 100 percent commitment to everything he does," said Matt Bomer (A'00), star of the USA Network's hit series White Collar.
Bomer, an alum of Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama, recently picked up the phone and called on Wadsworth for a refresher.
One White Collar episode required the actor to disguise his character by speaking with French and Italian accents.
The professor of voice and speech at CMU has coached the voice work for actors on and off Broadway, in feature films, TV, regional theater and video games.
"He makes collaboration fun. Not tedious, but effective," Bomer said. "I know when I call on him for something I'm going to have that history of trust. And I know I'm going to have fun."
Wadsworth has coached such Oscar-nominated actors as Chris Pine, Diane Ladd, Bob Hoskins, Ellen Burstyn, Olympia Dukakis, Tom Hulce and Danny Aiello.
Southwestern Pennsylvania's burgeoning reputation as a great location for movie and television productions means he is not only getting more calls for coaching, but also for roles.
On Warrior, he coached British actor Tom Hardy and Australian actor Joel Edgerton to sound like the American sons of Nick Nolte's character.
Wadsworth appears in the films Smart People with Dennis Quaid and Sarah Jessica Parker, and in Mysteries of Pittsburgh, both filmed in Pittsburgh.
He's also a busy director, most recently directing CMU's production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
"I remember Don taking time with me even before class and after class," Bomer recalled. "He really taught me to take direction without judgment. And he has such an appreciation for bringing a sense of humor to the work."
Bomer, who maintains ties with former CMU classmates Neal Dodson (A'01), Cote de Pablo (A'00), and Zachary Quinto (A'01), to name a few, says Wadsworth encouraged those relationships.
"The whole program was ensemble-oriented. We were — and still are — very supportive of each other. Don encouraged that," Bomer said.
Bomer admits there are teachers you connect with more than others, and Wadsworth is one of them.
"The great thing about Don is I got a lifetime teacher with my four years of training. And that's all on him and his communication."
All new episodes of White Collar return Tues., Jan. 18.
Top photo: Matt Bomer (A'00); bottom photo: Don Wadsworth w/ students
Related Links: Post-Gazette: Top Dialect Coach | Post-Gazette: Director Loved Filming in Pennsylvania | Smooth Criminal | School of Drama