Acting in Plays, Singing/Audition for Seussical

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Expert: - 1/2/2012


Question
Sean,

My name is Hannah and I am a senior looking to audition for my high school's spring musical, Seussical. As Drama Secretary, I am very involved with the drama club and I feel I have a high chance of being cast as JoJo (a confidence prefaced by a good friend: co-president of the club). I can also see myself being cast as Gertrude.

Nonetheless, auditions are in February and I would love your input on what song I should sing. Along with preparing a 1-2 minute comedic monologue, we must sing two pieces of 16 bars from a stage musical (one up tempo; one down tempo). The director prefers that we select a song that is theatrically sung by our gender….I tried to phrase that in a bipartisan manner, but basically she would prefer that I sing a song that is sung by women. Generally I am a Soprano 2 however I can easily be an alto if needed (my choir director said that my range placed me as both alto and soprano). I took private vocal lessons and am going to resume them at the start of the New Year.

My musical repertoire:

Put on a Happy Face -- Bye Bye Birdie Stepsisters' Lament -- Cinderella 'S Wonderful -- Funny Face I Got Rhythmn -- Girl Crazy Everything's Coming Up Roses -- Gypsy Getting to Know You -- The King and I Oh What a Beautiful Mornin' -- Oklahoma! Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love) -- Paris Corner of the Sky -- Pippin Summertime -- Porgy & Bess I Have Confidence -- Sound of Music My Favorite Things -- Sound of Music Sixteen Going on Seventeen -- Sound of Music Soon -- Strike Up the Band (1930 Version) Somewhere Over the Rainbow (with Intro) -- Wizard of Oz My New Philosophy -- You're a Good Man Charlie Brown

Could you steer me in the right direction: which pieces from my repertoire; suggest others. Thanks. Have a happy new year.

Hannah  Lingenbrink  Eastlake High School '12

Answer
Hello, Hannah –

Thank you for the question.

No matter your perceived connections – whether in academic or professional theatre – your job at an audition is to prove your vocal category through your material and to be prepared to compete for the role(s) you want.

Given the instructions to not sing guys' material, you may have some explaining to do about wanting to audition for "JoJo". Nevertheless, from your list, choose the two songs that are in standard repertoire and can be sung by either sex and are not plot or character dependent: "Put on a Happy Face" and "'S Wonderful".

You can find these songs on-line and transpose them into the key that best suits your voice by clicking on these URLs:
Put on a Happy Face:
http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/scorch.asp?ppn=SC0023340&

'S Wonderful:
http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0016541&

I am a vocal coach to working singers in the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm also the Music and Theatre critic for SanFranciscoSentinel.com and Classical music reviewer for Examiner.com: http://www.examiner.com/user/4557381/articles

Check out my recent interview with popular TV host, David Perry, on "Ten Percent":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKeeTYTYMAI

Below are links to my articles and youtubes on San Francisco's entertainment and cultural scene:

SF SYMPHONY – Elevates Debussy's Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian to ecstatic heights
http://www.examiner.com/classical-music-in-san-francisco/sf-symphony-elevates-de

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CHRISTINE EBERSOLE – Bay Area Cabaret presents Tony Award winner at the Venetian Room, January 15th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166791

Best In Women's Classical Vocals 2011
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"Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien" – At Davies Symphony Hall, Featuring Damian Smith of SF Ballet, January 12th–14th
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JOHN E. BUCHANAN, Jr. – Director of the Legion of Honor and de Young Museum loses battle with cancer
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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166623

CD Review – A STEINWAY CHRISTMAS ALBUM  ★★★★
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166619

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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166598

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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166587

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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166581

SF Opera Center Announces the 2012 Adler Fellows
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166562


A Look At "Giselle" with Ballerina Lorena Feijóo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33-a6Oa-0j4

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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=76516

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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68879

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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68311

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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=67774

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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=63625

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http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=58241

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Best regards,
Seán Martinfield
SanFranciscoSentinel.com
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65

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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