Ashleigh Reade

Ashleigh Reade is an interdisciplinary theater educator and performer, specializing in voice, speech, text, and accent work. Prior to joining the faculty at CFA School of Theatre, she was an Assistant Professor of Theater at the Boston Conservatory, where she taught Fitzmaurice Voicework and Knight-Thompson Speechwork. She also designed and taught the Vocal Production course for Harvard Summer School and Harvard Extension School, and served on the theater faculties of Dean College, Salem State University, and Bunker Hill Community College. She has taught masterclasses for Loyola Marymount, CCM, Boston Conservatory, Harvard University, Broadway Artist’s Alliance, Lyric Stage, and The Moscow Art Theater School. Coaching credits include Intimate Apparel (Brandeis), Witness: Uganda (ART, asst.), The Light Princess (ART), as well as multiple productions with the Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University and the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club. A presenter at VASTA and ATHE, Ashleigh’s research focuses on an anti-oppresive vocal pedagogy that centers application, acting to voice connection, and the actor’s lived experience as the fuel for dynamic vocal variety.

Prior to her teaching transition, Ashleigh was a professional actor, beginning her career on the National Tour of Roger’s and Hammerstein’s STATE FAIR. Other credits include Sacramento Music Circus, Papermill Playhouse, Surflight Theater, Seven Angels Theater, and West Virginia Public Theater. Ashleigh has also originated lead roles in four new musicals, performing at the Producer’s Club, Ars Nova, and The York. In 2020, Ashleigh and her partner started indie-rock band Your Local Dance Hall.

Ashleigh is a Certified Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework^tm, a Certified Vocal Combat Technique^tm Trainer, and has completed multiple workshops in Knight-Thompson Speechwork^tm. She has received two Dean’s Commendation Awards from Harvard Extension School, and ten Certificates of Teaching Excellence from the Derek Bok Center at Harvard University. Member, VASTA, ATHE, AEA, Yoga Alliance (E-RYT 200). BFA, Boston Conservatory, MFA, Harvard University/M.X.A.T., Certificate in Classical Acting, LAMDA.