Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 9/10/2010

Question
I am a mezzosoprano, so I have a naturally low to medium-pitch voice. I auditioned for the role of Lina, and I figured out how to sound like her, but my throat hurts very bad after trying to "Lina-ize" my voice. The callbacks list will be posted on Saturday, and if I am on the list, I will probably need to "sing" What's Wrong With Me? and do some dialogue.

I don't want to lose my voice (I sing in choir a lot and musicals are my life), but I want to try out to play Lina since I can't dance very well. lol

Any tips to creating that nasally, high-pitched voice she has without spraining a vocal chord? Thanks!

Answer
Hi Mariah,

It's always good to have a thought as to what one would do if they get something, as long as you don't dwell on it. I can't say this is the case for anyone else, but if I have any superstition at all, it's thinking about getting a role. I audition and then toss it. If I get it, I get it. The more wound up I get about an audition, the less likely I get it. I just try to HAVE FUN doing the audition and try not to take it seriously. ( I don't mean being unprofessional, but PLAYING with it, trying something new, a just saying to myself that it doesn't matter, that it is the only time I will be doing it. Amazingly, I usually get it because I don't care).

Trying something new would be one option: Does it have to be a carbon copy of the original show? It's already been seen that way. How many times have we seen a movie, then saw a remake that was BETTER? I like the newer version of "Batman" verses the older ones from the 80's and 90's! Some directors are stuck on the original shows, some are creative and want to do something different!

While the high pitch was ONE part of the original actor's character, it wasn't everything! She had a nasal accent and was a bit of a ditz. Who is to say she couldn't have a lower-pitched, nasal accent and be a dumb blond? Second, are you not capable of a "falsetto". It would take a lot of voice support from your diaphragm, but you could do the "breathy" Marilyn Monroe voice.
A short session with a voice teacher could help discover what your limits are, but for God's sake, don't permanently damage your vocal cords for this one role. I knew a girl for years in school who ruptured hers and she has a permanent "sick throat" sounding voice -either that or heavy smoker sounding voice.

I'd check it all out and then maybe try to add an essence of Lina, but make it YOUR OWN version instead of trying to sound like Cyndi Lauper!

Break a leg!

Taylor