Aged Out or Amplified? Reclaiming the Voice of Women in Theatre

Abstract: This article explores the intersections of age, voice, and performance opportunities for women in contemporary theatre. Drawing on Jayne Raisborough and colleagues' qualitative study of four British women actors over age fifty, it demonstrates how ageism limits vocal agency, casting, and career longevity. It also connects these findings to broader discussions of vocal training and pedagogy, as well as recent theatrical works such as The Roommate and Death Becomes Her: The Musical . Through performance analysis and engagement with feminist and voice theorists, the article illustrates how older women performers are actively reclaiming space, authority, and sound onstage.