Musical Theatre Performers Tips and Advice

You've landed a role. Maybe its your dream role, maybe it's not. Now you want to work it for all it's worth. That's what this page is all about - finding the help you need to step up the performance, because every moment any performer is on stage is an audition for their next role even though the director never says so.

Preparation Tip Abstracts

Backstory, How to Write It - The backstory is the first step in fleshing out your character. Virtually every director expects their actors and actresses to write one. The problem is that the whole idea seams so mysterious. Fortunately, it's not really. Here's how to write a backstory that will please your director and launch your character development.

Backstory Collaboration - Why is it necessary to collaborate with other performers about your mutual backstory? Isn't that just a lot of extra work? Does it really matter?

Character Development - The First Step - Being an actor means that you learn to develop a character that is interesting and unique for each show, whether a musical or a play, but how? Here is a simple first step that every young performer simply must master in order to be prepared to develop a memorable character.
Dietary Guidelines for Singers and Actors - Most of us have heard that singers and actors don't eat certain things before a performance, but what specifically should they avoid and why?
Director's Expectations: The Call - The 'call' is usually viewed as obvious and straight forward, and it is - a straight forward opportunity to set yourself apart as someone who truly understands what it takes to succeed in the musical theatre.
Five Character Development Questions - Here are five of the most essential questions for any actor to resolve before they begin the process of creating a character.
Playing What the Audience Can't See - How do you let the audience know that your character is sick or in pain, or... short of holding up a sign? The technique is both simple and subtle and mastering it is absolutely essential.
Improve Your Diction - One of the most common complaints directors have is the diction of their performers. Constantly they are yelling, "Enunciate!" Get a step ahead of the process by improving your ability to speak clearly.
Improve Your Theatre Program (Company) - You, as an actor or crew member can improve your Theatre company. And the better news is that you benefit from doing it!
Line Memorization Techniques - Is there anyone who actually likes the process of memorizing the lines for a musical theatre production (or any form of memorization? It's hard work, but it is essential. Here are a handful of simple tools to help performers speed the process along.
Performer's Job Description - That's pretty obvious isn't it? Not actually. The truth is more performances have been ruined by performers when they were not onstage than any single other cause. So every actor/singer/dancer needs to know this and anyone who aspires to move on in the theatre absolutely has to understand these basic tenants of the job.
Physical Demands of the Musical Theatre - Okay, you might be able to go out for your local high school show as you are, but how do you need to prepare if your sights are set on a career on Broadway?
Soliloquies: How Are They Different Than Monologues? - Soliloquies often throw actors for a loop. But if you understand them you have an advantage.
Tongue Twisters - Tired of your old tongue twisters? Here are tongue twisters for (almost) every letter of the English alphabet. Tongue twisters are good for both improving your vocal skills and for vocal warm-up before a practice or performance.
Understanding the Casting Director - You've worked exceptionally hard at this audition and still you didn't get the role you wanted. It might not be your fault at all. Like it or not the casting director has some considerations that go beyond who is the best singer, actor, or dancer.
Understanding Your Role - To give a truly memorable performance you have to understand your role and the role it plays in the telling of the story, and what story you are truly telling. This simple tutorial will help any performer understand what questions to ask as they prepare for the role ahead of them.
Vocal Care, Basic - To sing at a peak level requires that give your voice special care. Here are the three most basic things that every performer in the musical theatre should be doing to protect their most valuable asset - their voice.
Vocal Care, Performing During Illness - When we have to go to rehearsal or perform when our throat is raw or sore due to a respiratory illness or allergies we need a specific strategy for approaching each practice or performance.
Vocal Care, When Feeling Poorly - Sometimes our voice is feeling raw while we are approaching or in the midst of performances. Here are some practical tips for soothing a tender throat when you have to perform.
Vocal Training - In the theatre the voice is the most important asset a singer or actor has. Using it to it's best advantage takes training.
Why Should You Understand the Theme of the Musical You are Performing? - As performers, directors, and even for parents of performers it's easy to get wrapped up in the work of the production and overlook the single item that will make your job go that much more smoothly.


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		Musical Theatre Green Room Preparation Tips
		You've landed a role. Maybe its your dream role, maybe it's not. Now you want to work it for all it's worth. That's what this page is all about - finding the help you need to step up the performance, because every moment any performer is on stage is an audition for their next role even though the director never says so. Preparation Tip Abstracts Backstory, How to Write It - The backstory is the first step in fleshing out your character. Virtually every director expects their actors and actresses to write one. The problem is that the whole idea seams so mysterious. Fortunately, it's not really. Here's how to write a backstory that will please your director and launch your character development. Backstory Collaboration - Why is it necessary to collaborate with other performers about your mutual backstory? Isn't that just a lot of extra work? Does it really matter? Character Development - The First Step - Being an actor means that you learn to develop a character that is interesting and unique for each show, whether a musical or a play, but how? Here is a simple first step that every young performer simply must master in order to be prepared to develop a memorable character. Dietary Guidelines for Singers and Actors - Most of us have heard that singers and actors don't eat certain things before a performance, but what specifically should they avoid and why? Director's Expectations: The Call - The 'call' is usually viewed as obvious and straight forward, and it is - a straight forward opportunity to set yourself apart as someone who truly understands what it takes to succeed in the musical theatre. Five Character Development Questions - Here are five of the most essential questions for any actor to resolve before they begin the process of creating a character. Playing What the Audience Can't See - How do you let the audience know that your character is sick or in pain, or... short of holding up a sign? The technique is both simple and subtle and mastering it is absolutely essential. Improve Your Diction - One of the most common complaints directors have is the diction of their performers. Constantly they are yelling, "Enunciate!" Get a step ahead of the process by improving your ability to speak clearly. Improve Your Theatre Program (Company) - You, as an actor or crew member can improve your Theatre company. And the better news is that you benefit from doing it! Line Memorization Techniques - Is there anyone who actually likes the process of memorizing the lines for a musical theatre production (or any form of memorization? It's hard work, but it is essential. Here are a handful of simple tools to help performers speed the process along. Performer's Job Description - That's pretty obvious isn't it? Not actually. The truth is more performances have been ruined by performers when they were not onstage than any single other cause. So every actor/singer/dancer needs to know this and anyone who aspires to move on in the theatre absolutely has to understand these basic tenants of the job. Physical Demands of the Musical Theatre - Okay, you might be able to go out for your local high school show as you are, but how do you need to prepare if your sights are set on a career on Broadway? Soliloquies: How Are They Different Than Monologues? - Soliloquies often throw actors for a loop. But if you understand them you have an advantage. Tongue Twisters - Tired of your old tongue twisters? Here are tongue twisters for (almost) every letter of the English alphabet. Tongue twisters are good for both improving your vocal skills and for vocal warm-up before a practice or performance. Understanding the Casting Director - You've worked exceptionally hard at this audition and still you didn't get the role you wanted. It might not be your fault at all. Like it or not the casting director has some considerations that go beyond who is the best singer, actor, or dancer. Understanding Your Role - To give a truly memorable performance you have to understand your role and the role it plays in the telling of the story, and what story you are truly telling. This simple tutorial will help any performer understand what questions to ask as they prepare for the role ahead of them. Vocal Care, Basic - To sing at a peak level requires that give your voice special care. Here are the three most basic things that every performer in the musical theatre should be doing to protect their most valuable asset - their voice. Vocal Care, Performing During Illness - When we have to go to rehearsal or perform when our throat is raw or sore due to a respiratory illness or allergies we need a specific strategy for approaching each practice or performance. Vocal Care, When Feeling Poorly - Sometimes our voice is feeling raw while we are approaching or in the midst of performances. Here are some practical tips for soothing a tender throat when you have to perform. Vocal Training - In the theatre the voice is the most important asset a singer or actor has. Using it to it's best advantage takes training. Why Should You Understand the Theme of the Musical You are Performing? - As performers, directors, and even for parents of performers it's easy to get wrapped up in the work of the production and overlook the single item that will make your job go that much more smoothly. Copyright © 2011 www.MusicalTheatreGreenRoom.com ~ All Rights Reserved.

Musical Theatre Green Room Preparation Tips