Rena Cook
Rena Cook is a TEDx speaker, author, trainer, coach, and the founder of Vocal Authority, a training consultancy serving corporate clients who want to use their voice more dynamically and confidently while still being true to their genuine selves. Drawing from her experiences as a drama teacher and vocal coach, Rena helps people find their authentic voice so they can communicate better, build trust, and create buy-in for ideas and initiatives. From helping people overcome the fear of public speaking to enhancing virtual communication skills and presence to speaking truth to authority in commanding yet inspiring ways, Rena’s programs are designed for anyone who wants to use their voice to make a positive impact: for themselves, for others, and their organization.
She is the author of several books and publications, including Empower Your Voice: For Women in Business, Politics, and Life; Her Voice in Law (published by the American Bar Association); and Voice and the Young Actor, used in drama programs throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. She co-edited Breath in Action: The Art of Breath in Vocal and Holistic Practice. Rena taught high school drama for 16 years before she graduated to higher education. For the next two decades, she taught professionally bound actors, many of whom can be seen on Broadway, film, and television. Through Vocal Authority, Rena adapts actor training techniques to help business leaders be more confident and dynamic communicators.
She is a Professor Emerita at the University of Oklahoma School of Drama. She holds an M.A. in Voice Studies from London’s Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, an M.F.A. in Directing from the University of Oklahoma, and an M.A. in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Tulsa. Her guilty pleasure is voicing video games and animation.
