| Shakespeare
Or “How To Be Or Not To Be”
Does a 400 year old dead guy intimidate you? Does the prospect of speaking in thees and thous make your knees tremble? No matter what your level or experience with Shakespearean text, I can help. Our sessions can be about text work, where we dissect the text and get a deeper understanding and clarity of what’s being said, or they can be about getting to the heart of what’s going on and how the language specifically applies, or (and here’s my favorite!) simply get you comfortable with Shakespeare so that you can start having fun! Whichever it is, the importance here is in the language. I firmly believe in the balance between the ease of speech and the maintenance of the structure of the speech, when performing Shakespeare or any classical text. Besides, it’s fun! And if you haven’t discovered that yet, then give me a call!
| | General Coaching
Shaking Off the Dust
Okay, you just found out you have an audition in two days, you need one classical piece and one contemporary piece. You’ve got ‘em somewhere in your memory, but they are a bit rusty. What do you do? Give me a call! I can help restructure a tired piece, shape a new one, help you with a scene, or just be an objective outside observer for choosing a piece that is right for you. I can also help with a dialect, if you need it. Being in this business is tough, partly because a lot depends on you and what you bring to a piece. When I coach I don’t impose my choices on you; I look for what you bring to the piece you are working on, and go from there. It’s all up to you, so I will help make sure you are bringing your best to your work.
| | Coaching for Singers
The Song As Monologue
I think the most common misconception is that singing and acting are separate entities. That there is somehow a barrier between musical theatre and what is sometimes call “straight”or “legit” theatre. Not so. What inspires a Shakespearean character to switch from prose to verse? The same thing that motivates a character to break into song. A song is a monologue or a speech set to music, and should be approached in the same manner. There is an intention and an objective for both. And let me say this, with regards to any current vocal training you may currently be involved in: I have a great respect for singers, and so I feel it necessary to say that I in no way would step on any voice training; we would be working together on the song as text and you as actor.
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