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Acting in Plays, Singing/Audition songs for Hair -- Dionne role

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Expert: - 7/11/2008


Question
QUESTION: Hello Sean, I have been scouring your past advice in hopes of getting some idea of what I should do. I am going to audition for my 2nd musical in my life, which is "Hair" (I am currently performing in my 1st musical right now and I LOVE IT!).  However, I am having some trouble finding an appropriate audition song because I do not have a huge repertoire, really none at all!  I actually was invited to perform in my current musical so this will be my first audition.  The guidelines stipulate a selection from "contemporary musical theatre". I am currently performing the role of Liz in "High Fidelity", which is a motown-diva belt type role, and I would like to pursue the part of Dionne in "Hair".  I have read that this is a sassy African-American role requiring good comedic timing.  My problem is that I can't seem to locate very many songs that would be appropriate in going out for this part.  I thought "My Strongest Suit" from Aida, or "Love You I Do" from Dreamgirls, since they both have kind of a Motown feel, but are there other plays that I am overlooking?  The absolute best song that I sing is "No Good Deed" from Wicked, but I know that this is not appropriate for many reasons.  I am stumped in this case -- since this is a rock musical, could I get away with a rock song or is this breaking the rules? I am a 35 year old African American female with lots of attitude but not a clue.  Thank you so much for your response and your time.

ANSWER: Hi, Nikki –

Thank you for the question.  Why private?

Many singers have similar concerns.  Let's share our exchange.

Please re-submit your question openly and I will respond.

I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco.  If you are in the Bay Area, contact me through Craig's List – http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/719291466.html

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

SAMSON & DELILAH – Meet Seán Martinfield
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sean+Martinfield&search=Search

I am also the fine arts critc for the San Francisco Sentinel.  Below are some links to recent articles and reviews:
TALENT COMPETITON – On-Line Reality for A CHORUS LINE
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14200

SF INTERNATIONAL LGBT FILM FESTIVAL – Continues through Sunday, June 29th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14210

AUDITION NOTICE – Hillbarn Theatre – Saturday and Sunday, June 28th & 29th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14149

ARIODANTE – Cross-Dressing Goes Baroque – at SAN FRANCISCO OPERA
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14127

TIMOTHY HORN – BITTER SUITE – A Sweet Tribute To Alma Spreckels
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14049

‘TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE – At A.C.T through July 6th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13840

60TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT – San Francisco Boys Chorus celebrates this Sunday Night at the War Memorial Opera House
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13747

FREE OPERA AT AT&T BALLPARK – Lucia di Lammermoor, June 20th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13640

DAS RHEINGOLD – Opens Summer Season 2008 at San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13525

JAMES JUDD’S 7 SINS – Devilish Hilarity At the Exit Theatre Until June 21st
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13478

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Summer Season Opens Tuesday, June 3rd
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BACH'S MASS IN B MINOR, Saturday, May 31st – At Mission Dolores Basilica
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THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN – Just say “NO!”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13041

ERIK BATZ – A Conversation With “The Scarecrow” At The Mountain Play
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=12892

Best regards,
Seán Martinfield


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: (Hi, Sean, I am resubmitting the question publicly as you requested. Thanks in advance for your advice.  I did it privately initially because I am a little embarassed at my ignorance.)

I have been scouring your past advice in hopes of getting some idea of what I should do. I am going to audition for my 2nd musical in my life, which is "Hair" (I am currently performing in my 1st musical right now and I LOVE IT!).  However, I am having some trouble finding an appropriate audition song because I do not have a huge repertoire, really none at all!  I actually was invited to perform in my current musical so this will be my first audition.  The guidelines stipulate a selection from "contemporary musical theatre". I am currently performing the role of Liz in "High Fidelity", which is a motown-diva belt type role, and I would like to pursue the part of Dionne in "Hair".  I have read that this is a sassy African-American role requiring good comedic timing.  My problem is that I can't seem to locate very many songs that would be appropriate in going out for this part.  I thought "My Strongest Suit" from Aida, or "Love You I Do" from Dreamgirls, since they both have kind of a Motown feel, but are there other plays that I am overlooking?  The absolute best song that I sing is "No Good Deed" from Wicked, but I know that this is not appropriate for many reasons.  I am stumped in this case -- since this is a rock musical, could I get away with a rock song or is this breaking the rules? I am a 35 year old African American female with lots of attitude but not a clue.  Thank you so much for your response and your time.  

Answer
Hello, Nikki –

Thank you for the question.  I appreciate all the information.

At this point in your developing career – I wouldn't worry about breaking whatever "rules" you may think exist.  Screw it.  If they want YOU then they want YOU.  Right?

Throw whatever you've got from Stephen Schwartz's WICKED into the fire.

Get this Anthology: Billboard - Top Rock 'n' Roll Hits of the 70's
It includes the following songs, any of which could demonstrate your stuff as a Pop/Rock singer from the same period as HAIR:

Band Of Gold – originally performed by Freda Payne
Gypsys, Tramps And Thieves – originally performed by Cher
I Will Survive – originally performed by Gloria Gaynor

"Dionne" participates in:
Ain't Got No
Air
Let the Sun Shine In

Get the Original Cast recording of HAIR.  Also, check out this recording by Melba Moore, the original "Dionne": This Is It: The Best of Melba Moore

Generally speaking, unless the audition notice states otherwise, it's always a good idea to sing another song by the same composer – that is, if something is available.  HAIR is composer Galt Macdermot's only Broadway musical.  The next best choice is another song by a composer writing in a similar vein.  The two songs you mention are good choices and would fit this description.  Make sure you know the songs "Aquarius" and "Let The Sunshine In".

Whatever you sing, present it as the hottest Pop Diva you know.

I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco.  When you are in the San Francisco Bay Area and want to book a coaching session, you can contact me through Craig's List – http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/752973810.html — and at www.SanFranciscoSentinel.com.

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

SAMSON & DELILAH – Meet Seán Martinfield
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sean+Martinfield&search=Search

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

AMERICAN IDOL – A ‘REALITY’ WAKE-UP CALL AT SAN FRANCISCO CITY HALL
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14720

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

COPPOLA'S "THE CONVERSATION" – AT THE LEGION OF HONOR, July 17th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14532

SAN FRANCISCO SILENT FILM FESTIVAL – At The Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14576

A CHORUS LINE – Returns to San Francisco's Curran Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14501

VIVA TO THE DIVAS! – SF Opera Summer Season Concludes This Weekend
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65

BREAKFAST WITH SCOT – Final Curtain on FRAMELINE 32
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/

TALENT COMPETITON – On-Line Reality for A CHORUS LINE
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14200

ARIODANTE – Cross-Dressing Goes Baroque – at SAN FRANCISCO OPERA
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14127

WOMEN IMPRESSIONISTS – At San Francisco’s Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14106

TIMOTHY HORN – BITTER SUITE – A Sweet Tribute To Alma Spreckels
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=14049

‘TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE – At A.C.T through July 6th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13840

60TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT – San Francisco Boys Chorus celebrates at the War Memorial Opera House
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13747

LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR – Bats it for FREE  at AT&T Ballpark
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13640

CONTEMPORARY JEWISH MUSEUM – A Grand Opening!
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13685

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN – Just say “NO!”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=13041

A CONVERSATION WITH MAESTRO HELMUTH RILLING
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=12494

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

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

ERIK BATZ – A Conversation With “The Scarecrow” At The Mountain Play
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=12892

SAN FRANCISCO BALLET’S 2009 SEASON – Includes World Premiere of All-New Swan Lake by Helgi Tomasson
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=12715

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

Best regards,
Seán Martinfield

Acting in Plays, Singing

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Sean Martinfield

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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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