The KEY thing...

This question has come up a ton in recent conversations, and is an area of debate within the industry...

"Is it okay to change the key of a song I'm using to audition with?"

or

"I can't sing that song. It's way too high for me."

In theatre, Broadway songs and shows are written to cater to specific singers. Kander and Ebb became very familiar with Liza Minnelli's voice and wrote songs which fit well in her range.

If you wear a size 6, would you try on pants that are a size 12? So why would changing the key of a song to suit your voice be wrong? There is absolutely nothing wrong with changing a key of a song...especially for an audition!

An audition is the time to show the BEST version of yourself in as little as 30 seconds, so by all means, work with your voice teacher and find a key that doesn't make you nervous and shows off the best part of your vocal range!

The exception to this is pretty obvious; you don't want to take a piece written for opera or operetta and drop it down into a key that makes it a pop song. Duh. Additionally, if you are auditioning for a specific show where they ask you to sing something from the show , you want to sing the song in its original key as most likely, that's where it will be played in the production.

For more audition tips or information on audition coaching, visit www.AshleyBlakeFisher.com

College Auditions 101

So you want to be a BFA?


You've decided that you want to eat, breathe, sleep theatre for the next 4 years of your life, and honestly, I can't blame you. For those of you who truly love doing theatre - there is no better experience than actually going to school learning to do what you love all day.

College auditions are a big deal - and you are not alone for feeling crazy nervous. It's probably one of the biggest auditions you will have in your life, and preparation is key.

Through my BFA coaching program, I give high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to work one on one preparing for these auditions. For more information on BFA audition coaching, contact me via my website, AshleyBlakeFisher.com

Here are a few simple pointers to help get you started on this audition process...

1. Make a Timeline

Senior year gets so hectic with applications, social events, and now that you are at the top of your school - you are most likely cast in a large role in one of your school's plays. However, you cannot lose sight of the fact that this audition represents your future, and waiting until the last minute to prepare is not going to work out very well for you.

Make a timeline, month by month, listing what you have to do and what goals you need to meet before the end of the month.

For example:

AUGUST:
-Finalize list of schools I'm applying to
-Gather audition information for each school
-Ask for letters or recommendation
-Begin searching for songs and monologues

SEPTEMBER:
-Write personal statement
-Work on Resume
-Get new headshots
-Finalize audition song choices
-Prepare audition music binder

etc...

This checklist month by month will keep you on point so nothing gets left for the last minute.

2. Choose your Material Wisely

I cannot emphasize this enough. Your material is everything. The songs you select are a representation not just of your voice, but you as a performer. There is a psychology behind auditioning - and the more interesting your choices are, the more memorable you will be. The best material is obscure - often old. That doesn't mean you cannot sing a new song...but be aware that contrasting songs should REALLY contrast. Make sure that at least one of your songs is from a show written before 1970. If you need help finding these songs, work with your voice teacher or an audition coach. They can often times recommend pieces for your voice that are similar to songs that you love from more modern shows.

For monologues - the same thing applies. Read plays. Do not just go to Barnes and Noble and read those "Monologues for Teens" books. There are so many great plays out there. Once you find a playwright that you like - read all of his/her plays, chances are, you will find something that you love.

3. Love Your Material


There are so many songs and monologues out there - do not settle for anything that you are not completely in love with. Why should you? When you really love performing something, it shows. As long as you make it different and your own - it will work for you. The odds are in your favor if you select material that no one else will choose. Not only does it make you stand out - but shows that you have done your homework. The college setting is different from auditioning for a show. It's an educational setting and research and preparation is an important factor.

4. Keep an Open Mind

Perhaps this is the spot where we all fail. There was no bigger brat than myself when choosing where I wanted to go, and where I DIDN'T want to go. I only wanted to go to New York - and thought no where else would provide suitable training. Looking back, I was a hot mess. It was a terrible attitude to adopt. The truth is, each school will have its own vibe. You have to physically go and visit each school before you can make a decision on whether or not it's on the top of your list. Just because you have a friend in a certain program, or you know someone really talented that went there once, or your favorite Broadway star went there, doesn't mean it's the right fit for you.

A lot of programs offer very different tracks - some more focused on dance, some don't let freshman audition for shows, some have connections with regional theatres...all of these factors need to come into play. Make sure you really take a good look at the courses in each program and see what it is that you prefer as an individual. The school has to pick you - but you also have to pick the school. Don't give them all the power.

Make sure you visit each school you are serious about. Talk to the theatre faculty. Ask questions. See a play. Sit in on a class. Now is the time to start planning all of these trips - so make sure you are doing your homework to compare and contrast programs.


For more information on college auditions - post questions here. Visit www.AshleyBlakeFisher.com for information on private BFA college audition coaching.

Female Audition Songs: A list of favorites

I received the following question this week from the lovely Jessica Leigh:


"So, after being frustraited with the whole Orlando audition process I have decided to get back into it. I'm looking to update my audition book and was wondering if you had any suggestions of music or composers to add to my book."

The Orlando audition scene is a horse of a different color. You first have to think about the product, which is, short attention span theatre to entertain the masses. The best Disney performers I know and work with are overly energetic, quick-witted, and have certain quirks about their personalities that they really sell.

That being said, you also have to know your type. Are you an ingenue? A comedic improv actor? A legit singer with amazing musicality? Disney specifically needs types because most of the characters are famous...there is a vigorous process to be approved to play an Equity role once an actor is seen in hair/make-up.

One of my favorite things to do to spice up an audition song is to sing a guy's song if you are a girl....or a girl's song if you are a guy. It gives the song a completely different feel and is always so interesting to listen to. Change the key to make it work for you and try it. I love Titus Burgess' version of MEADOWLARK. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCGbslr6WyA

Here are a couple of my favorite female audition songs for some different types, all which would be suitable for a Disney audition:


FEMALE INGENUE: Songs suitable for princess roles...all are uptempo and in the mezzo range.
I DON'T KNOW HIS NAME (She Loves Me)
THE STORY GOES ON (Baby)
JOURNEY TO THE PAST (Anastasia)
SPARK OF CREATION (Children of Eden)
A LOVELY NIGHT (Cinderella)
DISNEYLAND (Smile) <--more of a ballad

QUIRKY, FUN FEMALE BELT SONGS: Belty songs to show off comedic skills.
ARTHUR IN THE AFTERNOON (And the World Goes Round)
MS. BYRD (Closer Than Ever)
I'M NOT AT ALL IN LOVE (Pajama Game)
IT'S A PERFECT RELATIONSHIP (Bells Are Ringing)
POOR UNFORTUNATE SOULS (The Little Mermaid)

Stay tuned for my next blog to included great pop/rock/modern audition material.

Let me know what you think!

PART 2: FL STATE THESPIAN FESTIVAL ...

Continued from the last post...

6. The material you pick has everything to do with how you score. This rule is the same for any audition you would have. If you choose to sing something from a rock musical, you should have an awesome rock voice and the rock star vibe to go along with it. You have to pick out a song that shows you off well. A bunch of performers came in with new works by Joe Iconis or Scott Alan. Be mindful of choosing something that doesn't got anywhere melodically. A good competition song is one that has a beginning, middle, and end with a clear build. A lot of new composers lack this style, and even though they write funny or beautiful songs, often times it's not best for a competition.

7. Plant Your feet. This seemed to be a very common problem. There is nothing wrong with standing and singing. When you sing a lyric that calls for you to move, then move. However, do not feel the need to shuffle your feet, move "just because", or walk backwards. Also, don't start your songs upstage unless it's for a specific reason.

8. Do not over-rehearse. Your voice is a muscle. It gets tired. You cannot sing your song ten times through at full voice the day you compete. Drink water. Try to get a good night's rest. Be careful not to scream the night before at a show! Do not rehearse your song at full voice more than once or twice the day of your performance.

9.Relax your Throat/Neck. This is a technique that needs to be worked on with a voice teacher, but practice the sensation of yawning. This is the set-up and relaxation tool you need to open up to support proper, healthy singing. If you practice your song in front of a mirror, you will be able to see if your neck/throat appears tight or tense when you perform your song. You don't want to strain your voice and cause vocal damage, so make sure you are singing a song within your range where every single note is comfortable for you. If you are "iffy" on a certain note, you will most likely crack due to nerves. Pick something in your range, or change the key so it fits your voice.

10. The acting is more important than the singing...always. Tell the story of every single lyric and don't just play one emotion throughout. A strong actor is able to go through a range of emotions to give color and build to a character's story. Your eyes have got to be in it the whole time. Keep a clear focus of who you are singing to, and put that focus just over the judges' heads. If you look away from the focus to think about something, remember to always go back to the same focal point to help establish that you are always singing to the same person.

Questions? Feel free to ask away!

Reflecting on FL State Thespian Festival...

I had a great time judging solo & duet musical theatre at The Florida State Thespian Festival last weekend! Lots of great talent. And I firmly believe that "theatre kids" are more poised, fun, confident, and social than any other teenagers!

During my time judging, I made some observations that may be helpful to students competing in the future. Here are some of my top do's/don'ts:

1. Dress Up. It makes such a difference in your performance. You don't have to wear a ballgown or a suit...BUT, ladies, a nice dress that is eye-catching and professional. And guys, a button-down (non-wrinkly!) and a nice pair of pants is a great choice. And please, for the love of God, please...wear shoes!

2. Always have extra copies of your pre-recorded music. It was such a bummer for the kids who got up there with burnt CD's that didn't work. Always make sure you have several copies/cd's with you that work after being tested in several cd players. If it were me, I would even bring my own CD player just in case.

3. Do not sing something from WICKED, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, or LES MIS. It always tends to be really overdone.

4. Do not climb on chairs during your song. There's just no need for it. So many people felt the need to stand on chairs, and two nearly fell down. Use the chair only for necessary blocking when you need to be sitting down.

5. BREATHE. Breath support is your friend. When you get nervous, your breaths tend to be more shallow and really affect your ability to sing from a proper, supported place. Remember that this is YOUR five minutes. Don't rush. Go through your sheet music and circle every spot you take a breath, and practice over and over again.

TO BE CONTINUED ...

Tell your nerves to chillax!

As an audition/performance coach, I always get asked how to deal with nerves before an audition or performance. We've all heard the old, "Just picture the audience in their underwear," which I find completely not helpful.

But, when you break down the saying, it's really just advising you to find humor to relax yourself. Being open and relaxed is an actor's most important job, so to get there, you've got to find humor while you are waiting for an audition or to go on for a performance.

Find someone to talk to. Bring up an awkward audition story, or comment on the the girl you just heard in the bathroom doing baby seal mating calls to warm up her voice.

Better yet, find a friend who owes you a favor and bring them along to the audition. I find bringing a sassy gay friend usually does the trick and gets me to laugh about my surroundings, which is proven to help with relaxation.

I always believe in taking the audition seriously, and being as prepared as possible. But once the prep work has been done, you can't take yourself too seriously, especially in the entertainment industry. Allow yourself to laugh, breathe, and open up.

Picturing people in their underwear? That just ain't right!

Accompanists just say NO!

I interviewed some top accompanists on a few key audition issues. Here are the results:

1. 90% of accompanists DO NOT want you to put music in sheet protectors. It puts a glare on the page, and does not allow them to make notes on your music.

2. 100% of accompanists prefer your music to be taped together on card stock paper so they have no pages to turn.

3. 70% of accompanists advise you NOT to sing anything written by Jason Robert Brown for an audition.

4. Accompanists say the most common thing singers forget to tell them is HOW to start the song. (Bell tone, intro, etc.)

5. Accompanists agree that singers give a quicker tempo than they actually want 4 out of 5 times.

"How do I figure out WHAT to sing for an audition??"

The plaguing question. WHAT to sing. So many performers waste time trying to find the best song to "fit" a specific character in a show they are auditioning for. The problem with this is actors often pigeon-hole themselves into a specific type that they end up not being right for.

It sort of goes along with the general rule of thumb to not sing an audition song FROM the actual show. A director/casting director has a clear cut vision. You come in and sing something from the show, and even if it's great, it may not be what they envisioned or want. If you come in singing something too specific of a "character type," you may disappoint the director's vision of seeing you in another role.

Ask a voice teacher or acting coach which song in your repertoire best fits your personality and voice. As long as it's within the same style as the show - that's the song you'll want to use.

STEP ONE: Find other shows written in the same time period as the show you are auditioning for.

STEP TWO: Find a song either in your repertoire or new that best fits you and your personality. For example, if your strength is physical comedy, find something that best displays this somewhere in your audition. Figure out what it is that you do best, that makes you unique.

STEP THREE: Don't do what's expected. Auditioning is all about making bold and confident choices. You may want to find a man's song if you are a woman and change the key. It's something new and refreshing and makes you stand apart from other actors.