Acting in Plays, Singing/Guys and Dolls

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Expert: - 4/10/2008


Question
Currently I am in our production of 'Guys and Dolls' playing the role of Sarah Brown, which as I'm sure you know, is a very vocally and physically challening show, especially when the rehearsals go to ten and I have to be at school by 7:50 every morning. A lot of the cast is beginning to get a little tired and a little sick, including myself and the guy who plays Sky Masterson. I was wondering if you had any tips how to keep from being so tired (besides sleeping and drinking caffeine) and how to keep us both from getting sick when there are so many kisses within the show. We open in a week from tomorrow and I am getting a little conerned. Thank you for your advice and I hope to hear from you soon.

Answer
Hello, Jackie –

Great question.  Thank you.

Welcome to the world of being a singer!  As with the dancer's knees and feet – it's always something about the throat, the sinuses, and the passing of whatever is communicable through the air or bodily contact.  For the singer on the road, it's also about air-conditioning.

I never give pharmaceutical advice.  What I will suggest that you consider, however, is to stop drinking coffee – permanently! – and all varieties of sodas with or without caffeine.  Instead, start learning about the healthier benefits and caffeine levels present in green teas.  Guarana – available in natural food stores – is another source of caffeine.  Do your research.  Explore yoga and the ayurvedic approach to nutrition as a means to improve your health and increase your stamina.

Everyone's immune system is different.  As time goes by and if you pursue a degree as a vocal major, you will learn more about how your own body works in relationship to the demands you put on it through long and stressful hours of study, physical exertion, and recurring sleep deprivation.

There's always something in the air this time of year.  There will be something in the air come the fall, the winter, and next spring.

Singer's need to work-out their voice with the same concentration and regularity as any pianist or symphonic instrumentalist.  We would be having the same discussion if what you wanted to do was qualify for the Olympics.  As a professional singer and vocal coach I know that exercising the range on a daily basis both strengthens and heals the voice.  Never go to a rehearsal or performance on a cold voice and don't rely on the sometimes very silly group warm-ups, i.e., variations on "bumble bee-hee" and siren sounds on lip vibrations.

"Sarah Brown" is a wonderful role.  Run your scales to High C everyday.  My job as a singing teacher is to show you HOW.

If or when you are in the San Francisco Bay Area and want a coaching session, contact me through Craig's List –
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/639441046.html

Take a look at my newest You Tube:
Lorena Feijóo - A Look at "Giselle" with Seán Martinfield
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33-a6Oa-0j4

I am also the fine arts critc for the San Francisco Sentinel.  Below are some links to recent articles and reviews:

CHERYL BURKE DANCE – Dancing with Gavin and Jennifer
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=11873

CHERYL BURKE RESCUES THE METRONOME BALLROOM
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=11150

SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, 2008
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=11727

SAN FRANCISCO BALLET – Program 6 – An International Salute
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=11592

DALE CHIHULY – Lighting-Up At The de Young
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=11432

THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR – Inspecting A.C.T. until May 20th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=10

At the Asian Art Museum – DRAMA AND DESIRE
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=10

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY – 14th Season with Michael Tilson Thomas
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=11074

MELISSA MANCHESTER – A Conversation with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=10419

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – ON SCREEN AT THE CASTRO THEATRE
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=10898

WEST SIDE STORY SUITE – Standing Ovation for San Francisco Ballet Premiere
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=10924

ANNIE LEIBOVITZ – On her show at the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=10764

LORENA FEIJÓO – A Conversation with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/index.php?s=Lorena

SWEENEY TODD – PRIME CUTS FROM DIRECTOR TIM BURTON
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=8434

ANITA COCKTAIL and LEANNE BORGHESI – A 3-Way Dialogue
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=8007

NORMA SHEARER in “MARIE ANTOINETTE” – At the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=8783

JENNIFER SIEBEL – A Conversation with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=6361

An Interview with PASCAL MOLAT, Principal Dancer of the San Francisco Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=305

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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