Acting in Plays, Singing/sing?

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Expert: - 11/20/2008


Question
I am 14 and have a crazy dream to become a Disney actor / singer, you can call me crazy but i love writing songs, I have a book FULL of them and sing them all the time i know i don't have the voice just yet, but i also know i have the potential to get their in just a bit of time! my family is very low on income i live in Canada, Vancouver, BC. My mom isn't to fond of my crazy little dream but him not the type that will just give up, I have been to John Robert powers and got top 15 at one of their acting auditions but could not afford their classes unfortunately, I have sent a resume to Lloyd Talent but did not get a reply because i did not have professional training, And I'm going to send in a resume to King talent and set up and interview with Urban castings. this is what i want to do But i just don't know where to start!!  Please help me out. I know i need professional training and I also know i could get some from school theater but i know professional training could get me somewhere with more of chance but how do i get it with out spending too much

Answer
Hi, Nicole –

Thank you for the question and all the surrounding information.  I appreciate it.

So!  At 14, without any training or experience, the John Robert Powers people placed you in the top 15.  Wow.  They did the same thing with the previous group and the group that followed you and the one after that and the one after that.  Next week, next month it will happen all over again to a whole bunch of other folks.  That's how they stay in business.  Just dangle that thing about signing on the dotted line – NOW, before it's too late – and, honey, you will be that much closer to making all your dreams come true.

Your job at 14 is to graduate from high school with 4.5 grade average so that you can qualify for tons of scholarship money to the University or Music Conservatory of your choice.  I'm sure your parents and all the faculty at your school will agree with me.  Along the way, if what you want to do is sing and compose – then get involved with every music class your school may offer, including Beginning Piano.  Without believing in anything you can join the best youth choir at the best church or community organization in town.  All you have to do is show up on time for weekly rehearsals and performances.  And it's all free.

The vast majority of Talent Agencies do not handle musical theatre-type teenagers.

Before you go spending any money on headshots, CD and DVD demos, etc., you need to know more about the Industry than any one of the agents who might interview you.  That's what Library cards are for.

Work smart.  Be smart.  If you come home with anything less than an A- on your papers, tests, and final grades it's because you're daydreaming about a corporation that produces tons of toxic crap.

Share this response with your parents.

I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco.  One of these days when you and your family can come to the Bay Area, contact me through Craig's List – http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/914262689.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:

Lorena Feijóo - A Look at "Giselle" with Seán Martinfield
SAMSON & DELILAH – Meet Seán Martinfield
CA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES – A Preview Look with Seán Martinfield

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Best regards,
Seán Martinfield

As of August 10th – above signature links to Bernadette Peters column in Sentinel.

As of 4/05:
San Francisco Sentinel
I am a professional
Classical:  singing teacher
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13396

General singing teacher (from Spring Awakening review):: vocal coach
professional singer: singer
Vocal coach (classical, Lucia review): vocal coach
Vocal coach (classical, young) vocal coach
Vocal coach (opera, from Simon Boccanegra) vocal coach
Vocal coach (Broadway – from Spring Awakening review): vocal coach

Overall signature for musical theatre: Seán Martinfield
Pop Standard: vocal coach
Broadway (A Chorus Line): vocal trainer
Broadway (Drowsy Chaperone): vocal coach

TONY CURTIS – LIVE! At The Castro Theatre, Tuesday Night
YVES SAINT LAURENT – Haute Couture Fashions Now at the de Young Museum
CHRISTINE ANDREAS – A Conversation with Beautiful Broadway and Cabaret Star
CD Review – REVOLUTIONARY, Cameron Carpenter, Organist
LA BOHÈME – Opens Sunday Afternoon, November 16th
AFGHANISTAN – HIDDEN TREASURES FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM, KABUL, Now at the Asian Art Museum
GRAND HOTEL – MGM’s 1932 Classic, Thursday at the Legion of Honor’s Berliner Film Fest
THE ELIXIR OF LOVE – It’s Happy Hour At San Francisco Opera
THE STATE MUSEUMS OF BERLIN AND THE LEGACY OF JAMES SIMON
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA – Lon Chaney Silences SF Symphony For Halloween Night, Friday at 8:00
CARNEGIE HALL OPENING NIGHT – Tonight on PBS’ GREAT PERFORMANCES
SAMUEL RAMEY IS BORIS GODUNOV – Now at San Francisco Opera through November 15th
CD – BRAHMS: Ein Deutsches Requiem
IDOMENEO – Star Treatment For Mozart Opera
CD – DAS LIED VON DER ERDE: Superb Live Recording by Stuart Skelton and Thomas Hampson
WARHOL’S JEWS – Series of ten original paintings on display at The Contemporary Jewish Museum
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW – Ray of Light Theatre Begins New Season October 17th
JOSHUA BELL – At Davies Hall, October 23rd – 25th
EMANUEL AX – Renowned Pianist Appears with San Francisco Symphony October 9th – 11th
A BRONX TALE – At the Golden Gate Theatre through October 19th
DIE TOTE STADT - A BAD HAIR DAY IN THE DEAD CITY
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES – Opens this weekend in Golden Gate Park
BONESETTER’S DAUGHTER – New Opera Stands Alone
CORKY'S HOT ICE – Latest Bling In Gay Cinema
THE WOMEN – NOT WHO YOU ARE EXPECTING
SPRING AWAKENING – A Breath Of Fresh Air, Now At The Curran
SIMON BOCCANEGRA – WASHES ASHORE FOR OPENING NIGHT AT SAN FRANCISCO OPERA
STORYCORPS – Oral History Project Opens October 12th at the Contemporary Jewish Museum
TOM ORR – A Conversation with Seán Martinfield
BERNADETTE PETERS – A Triumph In San Francisco
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE – Detours Ahead
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A CONVERSATION WITH IAN ROBERTSON – Director of the San Francisco Boys Chorus
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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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