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Acting in Plays, Singing/Summer Musical Theatre Programs or Conservatories

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Expert: - 7/23/2009


Question
Hello Mr. Martinfield!

I am very interested in musical theatre. I feel it has a lot of passion and creativity that I would like to get more training in. I found some some conservatories for musical theatre but one in onely for in coming high juniors and seniors (already started and I'm and in coming senior) and one is for ages 10 - 18 and next summer I will be eighteen but I don't know it can fit into other things I am doing. I was wondering if you know of any other summer programs or conservatories that have adult musical theatre education. I live in Pennsylvania and it's hard to find some. Also, is it possible to go to a conservatory and attend night school for another major? I have thinking about political science as my major aside from musical theatre. I thought that it would be a good career that will help me stay balenced with my musical theatre career but I'm not sure. What careers would you consider good (as I like to call them) "fall back jobs" for trying to feed my love for musical theatre?

Sorry for ambushing you with a lot of questions but I am very curious and interested. Thank you in advanced.

Whitney

Answer
Hello, Whitney –

Thank you for the posting. My expertise is in private consulting. Do your research on conservatories or universities with recognized Theatre Arts departments.

All of your concerns come down to one thing. You are about to make the most important decision of your life – choosing your academic major and the best place to pursue it. That’s what counselors are for at your present school.

Millions of students your age are interested in Musical Theatre. What most of them do not investigate are the actual career aspects of the performing arts and – no matter how determined or brilliant they may be – how long it takes to earn their first paycheck and how long it takes to earn the next one.

Upon graduation from even the best conservatory in the world, there is no guarantee that you will walk or dance your way the following week into a gig that pays. Every performer on Broadway is a member of Actors Equity. For the vast majority, it takes years to build up enough points to become a member. Only the rarest of performers find themselves plucked out of obscurity by some Producer who will buy their way into the union. But what if that show fails during rehearsal or closes after opening night? It’s back in line behind thousands of other union members with similar or better skills than you – some with major nominations and awards – all auditioning for something that may or may not happen.

But, for some, it does happen.

What realistically cannot happen is you double-majoring at one or more schools and believing in some sort of Plan B “fall back”. Something’s gotta give. And that will wind up being you. And your health.

If you have a passion for political science, then get yourself into an internship program with local government. You must start making your connections now and figuring out what area of politics you would like to enter. I am a long-term volunteer in the office of one of San Francisco’s elected Supervisors. Now that it’s summer, the office is crawling with interns – most of whom are political science majors. Eventually they learn it’s all about who you know.

The same is true with Theatre.

At 17, and since you are not telling me about your long list of performing credits, my best advice is for you to consider a school with a strong Political Science Department. If it has a Theatre Arts Department, then find out if it is possible to take classes and to participate in productions if it’s not your major. You will be the first to know if   it's right for you. So will the instructors. If so, then change your major and pick-up Political Science as a minor.

Even the most brilliant politician must know how to address an audience and look good on camera. Our mayor here in San Francisco is a master at it.

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/1287906980.html
I am also the Editor and Publisher of www.SanFranciscoSentinel.com.  All my articles and interviews about the Performing Arts provide a link to my personal e-mail.

Download Carmen Milagro’s BlogTalkRadio interview with Seán Martinfield and jazz composer/pianist Terry Disley: Women and Legends Who Really Rock, 6/12/2009

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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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