Dr. Gupta Presents at SAG-AFTRA

About Dr. Reena Gupta

Dr. Reena Gupta is the Director of the Division of Voice and Laryngology at OHNI. Dr. Gupta has devoted her practice to the care of patients with voice problems. She is board certified in otolaryngology and laryngology and fellowship trained in laryngology, specializing in the care of the professional voice.

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A Whisper To A Scream: Vocal Health & Strain Prevention in Voice Acting. SAG-AFTRA. Panel (from left): Keythe Farley, Misty Lee, Dr. Reena Gupta, Linda Gasson, Natascha Corrigan, Mary-Elizabeth McGlynn, Steve Blum.
A Whisper To A Scream: Vocal Health & Strain Prevention in Voice Acting. SAG-AFTRA. Panel (from left): Keythe Farley, Misty Lee, Dr. Reena Gupta, Linda Gasson, Natascha Corrigan, Mary-Elizabeth McGlynn, Steve Blum.

The professional voice user population has always had a great work ethic, sometimes to their own detriment. Their “get it done” attitude often has meant pushing their voices to the point of pain or total voice loss. Those symptoms are temporary, and so the trajectory continues. Until injury occurs. Unfortunately, these injuries can be devastating, and even career-ending.

But when advocating for themselves, they often found themselves in a situation where they had to do it, or they would be replaced. It was a lose-lose situation where in one direction, they faced a shortened career, and in the other, there was the potential to never have one in the first place. Most had to choose the former.

Dr. Gupta assesses muscular strain during voiceover tasks in voice actor, Steve Blum.
Dr. Gupta assesses muscular strain during voiceover tasks in voice actor, Steve Blum.

However, SAG-AFTRA is trying to change this for their members. Taking the direction of focusing on vocal health and advocating for their membership, they are starting with the most critical step: education.

Last night, members were given an opportunity to listen to a panel of experts in the world of voice, including:

Reena Gupta, MD – Laryngologist at Osborne Head and Neck Institute

Linda Gasson, CCC-SLP – Providence St. Joseph Medical Center

Misty Lee – voice actress, comedian

Mary Elizabeth McGlynn – actress, singer, and director

Natascha Corrigan – voice teacher

Steve Blum – voice actor

Keythe Farley – director, panel moderator

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Issues that were discussed included how the voice works (anatomy), injury, injury prevention, warm up, tips and tricks for voice preservation, and how to advocate for yourself in a session, protecting your voice, your career, and your relationships. This is a step in the right direction for the voice world, one that all involved should be taking together.