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Acting in Plays, Singing/Too Old to start?
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QUESTION: Hello,
I am a 22 year old female and I am about to graduate with a BA in social work and a minor in music but recently have gotten interested in musical theatre. I am a musician and am very experienced in the music area and have played in the orchestra for a few musicals but never have sung on stage. I have pretty good pitch and am really good at harmonizing. My range is probably a mezzo-soprano/alto. Although I have never had any formal vocal training I have performed a few times before singing so it doesn't scare me. I also am comfortable with public speaking and won the state speech competition back in high school. Now that I am getting to the point of deciding what I want to pursue with my life I have been considering maybe musical directing on a community/high school level. I have enough experience to teach music but I am inexperienced with theatre and was thinking I need to perhaps be in a few plays to get a better feel and see if I want to pursue further education in that area. Problem is I have never auditioned for theatre before and don't know where to start. Do you have any suggestions on how to get started/ cast in plays?
Thanks so much.
Emma
ANSWER: Hello, Emma –
Thank you for your question. Why private? Many performers have concerns similar to yours. 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. When you want to book an appointment, contact me through Craig's List. This week’s connection is: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/1405517306.html.
Download Carmen Milagro’s BlogTalkRadio and her recent interview with Seán Martinfield. It’s all about singing and the 2009/10 San Francisco Opera Season:
Women and Legends Who Really Rock, 9/11/2009
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
Below are links to my recent interviews and articles about what's happening on San Francisco's cultural scene:
SOUTH PACIFIC – A Total Winner In San Francisco
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=43862
ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO – Now At SF Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=43611
MACY’S PASSPORT 2009 – Glamour and Giving Galore in San Francisco
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=43233
MAYA LIN – Artist Debuts “What Is Missing?” at CA Academy of Sciences
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=43178
IL TRITTICO – Patricia Racette Debuts In Puccini’s Trio of One-Act Operas
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=43109
IL TROVATORE – Opening Night A Stunning Success For San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=42392
SF SYMPHONY OPENING NIGHT – Fabulous Start to 2009/10 Season
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=42228
ROMEO AND JULIEN – A New Set of Lovers At Boxcar Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=41746
NOEL COWARD’S BRIEF ENCOUNTER – Opens September 16th At A.C.T.
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=41449
VICTOR ARIMONDI – A Compassionate Eye
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=41078
CARMEN MILAGRO – Popular Latin Favorite Takes the Stage At SFFD Annual Chili Cook-Off, September 19th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=41006
IL TRITTICO – Puccini’s Complete Set of Three One-Act Operas Opens Tuesday, September 15th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=40640
Best regards,
Seán Martinfield
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I am a 22 year old female and I am about to graduate with a BA in social work and a minor in music but recently have gotten interested in musical theatre. I am a musician and am very experienced in the music area and have played in the orchestra for a few musicals but never have sung on stage. I have pretty good pitch and am really good at harmonizing. My range is probably a mezzo-soprano/alto. Although I have never had any formal vocal training I have performed a few times before singing so it doesn't scare me. I also am comfortable with public speaking and won the state speech competition back in high school. Now that I am getting to the point of deciding what I want to pursue with my life I have been considering maybe musical directing on a community/high school level. I have enough experience to teach music but I am inexperienced with theatre and was thinking I need to perhaps be in a few plays to get a better feel and see if I want to pursue further education in that area. Problem is I have never auditioned for theatre before and don't know where to start. Do you have any suggestions on how to get started/ cast in plays?
Thanks so much.
Emma
Hello, Emma –
Thank you for the question and all the background information.
The answer is simple. You have to get out there and compete.
Of all the teachers I ever had – including those in my many years in Academia – four of them made a significant difference in my life in terms of what I needed at the time in order to increase my marketability and to sustain a living. They all had one thing in common. Each had enjoyed a career as a professional actor or singer. Consequently, they became great teachers.
You must achieve the same.
You know what it took to become sufficiently qualified to play your instrument in whatever ensemble that happened. But, did you ever do a major solo with that instrument in front of a paying audience and with the local critics taking notes? If so, somewhere along the way you would have competed against others with similar (perhaps better) qualifications.
From your description, you need to improve your skills as both a singer and an actress before you go to a theatrical audition or change careers to pursue the path of directing. Many of my high school students complain about the lack of insight their directors have along with their inability to communicate exactly what they want. Invariably, it’s about that teacher never having sustained a career in the commercial world.
Never underestimate the awareness and skills of young people who want to succeed right now. Communities are packed with talented and experienced performers who not only want to be in a production of quality, but are also looking to advance themselves into greater opportunities and to earn a living wage doing it.
My job as a professional vocal coach is to enable my clients to compete for a job and, when hired, to sustain their vocals through long rehearsals and the protracted length of a production. If I’m on your audition panel, you have to prove to me through your monologue and/or the 16-measures (or less) of your chosen songs that you are the best candidate for the role and that you’ll make money for the Producer and the Company. Simple.
I am a professional singing teacher and vocal coach in San Francisco. When you want to book an appointment, contact me through Craig's List. This week’s connection is: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/lss/1405517306.html. I am also the Editor and Publisher of SanFranciscoSentinel.com. All my articles and interviews about the Performing Arts provide a link to my personal e-mail.
Download Carmen Milagro’s BlogTalkRadio and her recent interview with Seán Martinfield. It’s all about singing and the 2009/10 San Francisco Opera Season:
Women and Legends Who Really Rock, 9/11/2009
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
Below are links to my recent interviews and articles about what's happening on San Francisco's cultural scene:
FLEET WEEK – A Converation with Airshow Pilot Tim Weber
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=45460
HALLOWEEN AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL – Nosferatu, The Vampire Film Classic of 1922
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=45154
VICTORIAN ALLIANCE OF SAN FRANCISCO – Annual House Tour, October 18th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=44900
JUAN DIEG FLÓREZ – To Sing “Tonio” in San Francisco Opera’s Daughter of the Regiment
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=44753
RENT – Jonathan Larson’s Popular Musical Returns to San Francisco October 6th – 18th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=44670
“Pulp Scripture”, Hélène Renaut, and teenage YouTube vocalist Jesaiah Baer
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=44489
CD – THE PLANETS, A Mind-Blowing Meditation
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=44236
SF ARTS COMMISSION – Catalogue of Posters from the 2008 Art On Market Street Public Art Program
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=44122
SF OPERA’S “Abduction From The Seraglio” – The Trills and Frills of Captivity
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=43985
SOUTH PACIFIC – A Total Winner In San Francisco
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=43862
ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO – Now At SF Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=43611
SOUTH PACIFIC – Now At San Francisco’s Golden Gate Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=43415
MACY’S PASSPORT 2009 – Glamour and Giving Galore in San Francisco
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=43233
MAYA LIN – Artist Debuts “What Is Missing?” at CA Academy of Sciences
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=43178
IL TRITTICO – Patricia Racette Debuts In Puccini’s Trio of One-Act Operas
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=43109
IL TROVATORE – Opening Night A Stunning Success For San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=42392
SF SYMPHONY OPENING NIGHT – Fabulous Start to 2009/10 Season
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=42228
ROMEO AND JULIEN – A New Set of Lovers At Boxcar Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=41746
NOEL COWARD’S BRIEF ENCOUNTER – Opens September 16th At A.C.T.
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=41449
VICTOR ARIMONDI – A Compassionate Eye
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=41078
CARMEN MILAGRO – Popular Latin Favorite Takes the Stage At SFFD Annual Chili Cook-Off, September 19th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=41006
IL TRITTICO – Puccini’s Complete Set of Three One-Act Operas Opens Tuesday, September 15th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=40640
THE PALACE HOTEL – Ten-Tier Chocolate Cake For 100th Anniversary
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=40462
TOM ORR – in “A Crass Act”
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=40313
FREE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK – Opens Saturday Night At The Presidio
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=40199
IL TROVATORE – Opens SF Opera’s 87th Season, September 11th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=39892
FILM NOIR – 22 Newly Restored Classics Coming To The Roxie
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=39755
CD – ZUILL BAILEY and SIMONE DINNERSTEIN, Beethoven’sComplete Works for Piano and Cello
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=39415
MAURICE SENDAK – At the Contemporary Jewish Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=39005
NICOLA LUISOTTI – Begins Inaugural Season As Music Director of SF Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=38821
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY – Opens Tonight At The Curran Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=38348
NORMA SHEARER – Hollywood Dreams Made Real
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=38082
JULIE & JULIA – Pleasing To The Palate
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=37855
THE EGYPTIAN (1954) – A Swords & Sandals Cultural Encounter at the de Young Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=37554
JAMES JUDD – Whoop Click! Now At The Dark Room
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=37175
NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE CENTER – Pride Season 2009/10
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=36938
DANCING WITH THE DRAG QUEEN STARS – Who will be crowned Champion
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=36249
SAN FRANCISCO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL – Saturday and Sunday At The Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=35970
JOHN BALDESSARI: A Print Retrospective – Now at the Legion of Honor
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=35799
JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL – 29th Anniversary Opens July 23rd at the Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=35558
PATTY DUKE – Gala Appearance and Tribute at the Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=35016
MONT ALTO MOTION PICURE ORCHESTRA – Accompanies Opening Night of the 14th Annual San Francisco Silent Film Festival
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=34306
SALLY KELLERMAN – Hot Lips for Hot Hits at The Rrazz Room
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=33009
TUTANKHAMUN – And The Golden Age Of Pharaohs
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=32878
DIANE BAKER – Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=32007
AMANDA KING – AT THE RRAZZ ROOM, THIS SATURDAY NIGHT
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=30037
RENT: THE BROADWAY TOUR – Returns To The Curran Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=29872
WESLA WHITFIELD – At The Rrazz Room
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=29588
SPAMALOT – THE “MONTY PYTHON” MUSICAL THAT GOES LIKE THIS
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=29401
CAMERON CARPENTER – An Interview with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=24462
AT LAST! – ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY – An Interview with Seán Martinfield
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=27122
CHAGALL AND THE ARTISTS OF THE RUSSIAN JEWISH THEATER, 1919-1949 – Now AT San Francisco’s Contemporary Jewish Museum
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=22321
Best regards,
Seán Martinfield
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Answers by Expert:
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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