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!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
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!
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 ...
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 ...
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
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!
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!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)