Acting in Plays, Singing/Assassins Audition

Advertisement

Expert: - 2/5/2012


Question
Hello I am preparing to audition for Booth in an upcoming production of Assassins. I was considering  singing "Stars" from Les Miserable, as I think it fits the range and stylistic mood of Booth in the show, what are your thoughts?

Answer
Hi, Sean –

Thank you for the question.

The role of "Booth" needs a strong and vibrant baritone, especially in the lower range. Bear in mind that, in his day, John Wilkes Booth was something of a matinee idol. Compared to his far more talented brother, the legendary Edwin Booth, John capitalized on his romantic good looks and sense of flair. Sondheim's "Booth" is an actor's dream role.

"The Ballad of Booth" is an amazing theatrical and musical opportunity. Whoever sings it needs to demonstrate fine musicianship and superior acting chops. There is a fine balance between the well-sustained musical phrases and the moments that can be more conversational.

Whoever sings "Booth" could also sing "Javert" in LES MISÉRABLES. The song "Stars" is essentially an anthem – requiring lots of bravado in the delivery, while juggling complicated lyrics and ideas about God and Lucifer, falling from grace, doorways to Paradise, etc. Some audition notices specifically state: no "Les Miserables". There's a reason. It's tiresome. If I'm on your audition panel and you look like a "Booth" to me, I'm only going to listen to about 8 measures of "Stars" – just to see if you can also carry a tune – then I'm going to stop you and ask for something else. If you don't have anything else and I'm still interested, then I'm going to ask for a series of scales throughout your range. The vocal demands of "Booth" must be heard in your scales.

My job as a vocal coach is to prepare you to compete against all the other qualified performers standing in line beside you.

If you can sing "Booth" and "Javert", then you can sing "Jud" in OKLAHOMA. Consider "Lonely Room", sing the last half. The character is crazed and on the verge of murder. The musical phrasing is demanding and there are plenty of opportunities to infuse a conversational manner.

You can order it on-line at the following web-site:
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Lonely-Room/19456224?aff_id=65200

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 – http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?cat=65
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:

Tchaikovsky's Other 'Onegin' – At San Francisco Ballet
http://www.examiner.com/classical-music-in-san-francisco/tchaikovsky-s-other-one

'Unfaithfully Yours' – Classic Overtures at Noir City X
http://www.examiner.com/classical-music-in-san-francisco/unfaithfully-yours-clas

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA – Announces 2012/13 Season
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166876

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

EDDIE MULLER – On the Slow Death of 35mm – An Interview with the "Czar of Noir"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166840

Best In Women's Classical Vocals 2011
http://www.examiner.com/classical-music-in-san-francisco/best-women-s-classical-

"Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien" – At Davies Symphony Hall, Featuring Damian Smith of SF Ballet, January 12th–14th
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166732

A Spectacular Christmas Eve at Davies Symphony Hall
http://www.examiner.com/classical-music-in-san-francisco/a-spectacular-christmas

CD, JAKE SCHEPPS – An Evening in the Village: The Music of Béla Bartók
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166708

THE NUTCRACKER – Confection Perfection at San Francisco Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166662

DEANNA DURBIN – The Leading Lady of NOIR CITY XMAS, Wednesday at The Castro Theatre
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166623

CD: SANCHO PANÇA – 18th Century Opera  ★★★
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166581

"THE ARTIST" – Silents, please! – A masterpiece in B&W, starring Jean Dujardin
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166452

THOMAS JANE – An interview with the star of HBO's "Hung" and 3D Thriller "Dark Country"
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166393

KRISTIN CLAYTON– A Conversation with "The Diva" of Teatro ZinZanni
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=166029

"XERXES" – At San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=165997

CD Release: "Feels Like Home", The Celtic Tenors  ★★★★
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=165722

DON GIOVANNI – It's smart and new at San Francisco Opera
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=165485

LEANNE BORGHESI – SF Bay Area Star on the Rise
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=163898

ZHENG CAO – A Conversation with A Miracle Artist
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=111219

MELODY MOORE – A Conversation with San Francisco Opera Star
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=110816

MARNIE BRECKENRIDGE – An Interview with “La Princesse” of Philip Glass’ Orphée
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=109326

A Conversation with Elza van den Heever
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=99268

Dr. ELISA STEPHENS – A Visit with the President of the Academy of Art University
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=90791

CUBAN BALLET – An Interview with Octavio Roca
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=86049

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

AMANDA McBROOM – A conversation on her recording of songs by Jacques Brel
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68879

CAMERON CARPENTER – An interview with Grammy-nominated organist
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=68311

PEARLS OVER SHANGHAI – An Interview with Russell Blackwood
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=63625

PIANIST MISHA DICHTER – A Conversation
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=59695

ZUILL BAILEY – A Conversation
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=58241

JANE MONHEIT – An Interview
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=48083

DIANE BAKER – Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=32007

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

A Conversation with Ruben Martin Cintas, Principal Dancer with SF Ballet
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=22107

Best regards,
Seán Martinfield

Acting in Plays, Singing

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.