Monday, September 8, 2014

How would you prepare to be in a Broadway?

How would you prepare to be in a Broadway?
You need to take professional dance, singing, and acting classes. You also need to do some smaller shows so that they can go on your info sheet. Some local productions will do. If you have anymore questions just ask I am also prepareing to be on Broadway and I am going through intense training. It's worth it in the end, trust me!
To add to the answer above:
*This is the same thing I posted on the forum "What does it take to be on Broadway?"
It takes a lot of talent and even more luck. It also takes perseverence. Broadway is extremely competitive. Some people slave away for ten years or more before they are cast, if ever. And, it's usually not about who is the most talented, but instead, who fits the part the best, who has what the director is looking for, who fits in best with the look of the rest of the cast, etc.
As far as what one can do to prepare themselves for the audition process and improve their chances of being cast, there are several things one can do:
-You should have a good voice, but also vocal training so that you are able to sing without straining and ruining the vocal chords. Middle school age is the prime age to begin training and developing the voice, but older people can also improve their singing. It's never too late. You need to find a good vocal coach as well as a good voice teacher. Find someone who will develop not only the chest (belt) voice, but the head voice as well. Find a different voice teacher if they try to tell you that it hurts to sing because you haven't used those muscles before. Just remember, if it hurts to sing, you are doing something wrong!
-Develop an extensive repetoire. Broadway auditions often require you to sing, and usually only sixteen bars of a song. The best way to find songs is to listen to as many Broadway shows as you can. Find songs that fit your age, gender, personality, and most importantly, find one that fits your voice! Don't do songs that are overdone.
-Learn to dance. Even if you don't have a wonderful voice, if you can carry a tune and are a good dancer you may be cast in the chorus. Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Modern, and Music Theater are the styles that will best benefit you.
-Be physically fit. This will improve your breath support as well as your dancing ability. This is good to do for your everyday life as well.
-Take acting lessons. A wonderful actor or actress who can't sing or dance at all could still be cast in a Broadway show. Not all shows on Broadway are musicals. There are many straight plays as well.
-Be in shows when you can. Even if it is just a school play, or community theater. These shows will come in handy when it comes to your resume.
-Create a resume, but NEVER lie about what you have done in the past. It will come back to haunt you. You will also want to have a headshot.
-The best way to do all of these things listed above is to attend a school that has a pretegious musical theater program. Some of the best in the U.S. are University of Michigan, Carnegie Mellon, Cincinnati Conservatory (CCM), and Oklahoma City University. There are many others, but I believe these are the top four. Attending a school full of professionals in your field is the best thing you can do for yourself.
-Read what you can about music theater, Broadway, acting, and singing. My favorite book is Auditioning for the Musical Theater by Fred Silver. I also hear that A Soprano on Her Head: Right-Side-Up Reflections on Life and Other Performances by Eloise Ristad is very good.

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