Acting in Plays, Singing/General Advice

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Expert: - 11/28/2008


Question
First of all, I would really love to attend the Perry Mansfield arts camp in Steamboat Springs, CO this summer because I want to improve on my musical theater skills and I live in a neighboring town to Steamboat. I am a sophomore in high school and have been in two musicals, the most recent being Crazy For You, in which I played Tess, the other being Bugsy Malone. For the audition tape, they ask that I sing two contrasting songs. I was thinking of singing "Someone to Watch Over Me" from Crazy for You and "Popular" from Wicked. I was wondering if these are good choices for a soprano singer.
Second of all, I want to go to college to get my BA in musical theater. Is it realistic to want to pursue a career in musical theater or should I have a back up plan? What are some skills I should improve on while I'm in high school to better my chances of getting into the university I wish to attend?
Thank you,
Emily

Answer
Hi, Emily –

Thank you for the question.

Don't sing anything from WICKED for an audition.  It's already becoming old hat and some audition notices state to not use it.  "Someone To Watch Over Me" is not the best song for a soprano.

I want you to get this anthology: THE SINGER'S MUSICAL THEATRE ANTHOLOGY, Soprano edition – Vol. 1.  Click on or paste the URL into your browser to order on-line.

THE SINGER'S MUSICAL THEATRE ANTHOLOGY, Soprano edition – Vol. 1
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?cart=32001285122&type=rec&it...

Once you are at the site, explore the contents of the anthology.  It will also lead you to three other volumes. Consider any of the following songs:
Dear Friend – SHE LOVES ME
Love, Look Away – FLOWER DRUM SONG
Out of My Dreams – OKLAHOMA
Much More – THE FANTASTICKS
Where Or When – BABES IN ARMS

A degree in the performing arts does not guarantee a paying job at any time, Anywhere, USA.  If you already have a "back-up plan" – what does that tell you?  By the time you graduate from high school you need to be the best trained dancer you know and the most informed musician.  Your job as a sophomore in high school is to earn a 4.5 grade average so you can qualify for huge amounts of scholarship money to the University or Conservatory of your choice.

I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco.  When you can come to our fair city and want to book an appointment, contact me through Craig's List – http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/937687538.html
I am also the fine arts critc for SanFranciscoSentinel.com.  All my articles and interviews provide a link to my personal e-mail.

Take a look at my You Tubes:

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Best regards,
Seán Martinfield

Acting in Plays, Singing

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Sean Martinfield

Expertise

I am a professional vocal coach in San Francisco. In addition to answers from a previous web site (Askme.com - where my "tag" was "VocalCoach") I have published over 2000 responses related to vocal training - particularly as it relates to Musical Theatre and Opera. I have 24 years of experience as Personal Trainer to singers and actors in the San Francisco Bay Area. I sang professionally for 20 years and know what it means to live the life of a musician. I can determine your voice category, i.e., Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Alto Belter, etc., and how to broaden and strengthen your range. Need an audition song for a Broadway Musical? I will give you suggestions that are appropriate to your vocal category and to requirements specified in the audition notice. I have also created a vocal methodology, "The Belter`s Method". It will enable those in Musical Theatre to practice more efficiently because it focuses on the demands of professional performers as well as to those auditioning for school and community productions, and as University and Conservatory performing arts majors. If what you want is a better voice and more control over your career moves and choices, contact me. Also, as the Editor of SanFranciscoSentinel.com, it is my privilege to review productions at the San Francisco Opera, Ballet and Symphony, as well as Broadway National Tours booked into San Francisco's Orpheum, Golden Gate and Curran Theatres. I also review works by A.C.T (the American Conservatory Theatre) and Magic Theatre. I cover select films, tributes and retrospects, and various international film festivals – particulary those booked into The City's opulent Castro Theatre – including the LGBT Frameline Festival, International Film Festival, Silent Film Festival, Jewish Film Festival, etc. For private vocal instruction, I can be contacted through SanFranciscoSentinel.com. Look under: Seán Martinfield, Sentinel Editor and Publisher.

Experience

As a vocal coach, I work primarily with singers and actors throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. My students range from absolute beginners to working professionals, from pre-schoolers to senior citizens. The vast majority of my clients come to me through recommendation. I know how to identify any singer's vocal category, i.e., soprano, tenor, alto, baritone, etc. I know how to muscle-up every singer's vocal range and to expand it beyond conventional definitions. I have developed a vocal methodology for those who want to know how to belt, THE BELTER'S METHOD. As a singer who spent half of his career doing Bel Canto, I know that classical or Italian methodologies do not work in Standard American music. Bel Canto cannot be "adapted" to meet the needs of contemporary American music, including the demands of the Musical Theatre. There are a number of major components to my work as a vocal coach. The first is to identify the client's vocal category and to strengthen and maximize the vocal range accordingly. Then it's about teaching a reliable vocal workout that will enable the client to gain better control of their musicianship. That includes scale work to expand the vocal range and to improve placement, breath control, and diction. Then we work on material for the audition portfolio, the immediate job or assignment, a recording session, etc. My task to is to better equip singers and actors who are hoping to or relying upon their performance skills and vocal endurance to maintain a career in the Performing Arts. My clients regularly appear in cabarets and musical productions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Some have worked in New York and gone on National Tours. For more information, Contact me at: Broadwaybelters@yahoo.com

Education/Credentials
San Francisco State University – BA in Theatre Arts; graduate work in Theatre, Philosophy, and Comparative Reiligion. Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley – Graduate work in Ethics

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