Acting the Song: Performance Skills for the Musical Theatre

by Tracey Moore, Allison Bergman

Overview

Acting the Song offers a contemporary, integrated approach to singing in musicals that results in better-trained, smarter performers everyone wants to work with. In this new, thoroughly updated edition of the paperback, directors and teachers of musical theater will find guidance in developing and leading musical theater elements, classroom workshops, and the world of professional auditions and performances. A companion ebook specifically for students—including actors, singers, or dancers—contains time-tested advice, exercises, and worksheets for all skill levels, with links to additional resources online. Subjects for both versions cover:

Singing and acting terminology
Use of microphones, recording devices, and other technology
Vocal and physical warm-ups, movements, and gestures
Creating a character
Finding subtext, interpreting music and lyrics, and song structure
Collaborating with other actors
Keeping a performance fresh and new
Using social media and online audition sites

Teachers and students alike will appreciate the sections for beginning, intermediate, and advanced performers. Covering all changes to the industry, education, music styles, and audition protocols, everyone involved in musical theater, from new students to working professionals, will benefit from this rich resource.

Allworth Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, publishes a broad range of books on the visual and performing arts, with emphasis on the business of art. Our titles cover subjects such as graphic design, theater, branding, fine art, photography, interior design, writing, acting, film, how to start careers, business and legal forms, business practices, and more. While we don't aspire to publish a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are deeply committed to quality books that help creative professionals succeed and thrive. We often publish in areas overlooked by other publishers and welcome the author whose expertise can help our audience of readers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781621535225
Publisher:	Allworth
Publication date:	08/23/2016
Edition description:	2nd Edition
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	719,838
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Tracey Moore has performed in national Broadway tours, Off-Broadway productions, and regional theaters across the country. She is the Head of the BFA Musical Theatre program at Western Kentucky University.

Allison Bergman is an award-winning stage director. She conducts professional and academic workshops across the country, specializing in musical theatre development and performance skills. She lives in New York City.

Table of Contents

Introduction vii

Section 1 The Elements

Overview 1

Chapter 1 Voice 3

Expressive Singing

Musical Theatre Style

Microphones

Singing Terminology

Vocal Warm-ups

Suggested Reading

Chapter 2 Body 16

Actor Neutral

Protection and Imbalance

Physical Warm-ups

Power and Energy

Gesture and Movement

Suggested Reading

Chapter 3 Acting 30

Permission to Play

Storytelling

Given Circumstances

Subtext

The World of the Musical

Acting Terminology

Personalization

Suggested Reading

Section 2 The Classroom

Overview 43

Chapter 4 Workshop One: Beginning 48

Choosing Material

Preparing the Song

Integrating Body and Voice

Finding an Emotional Connection

Acting the Song

Student-as-Character

The Acting Questions

The Impetus to Sing

Suggested Reading

Worksheets

Chapter 5 Workshop Two: Intermediate 88

Interpreting Text

The Third Acting Question

More Integration

The Action Score

The Tactic Score

Working from the Want

Worksheets

Chapter 6 Workshop Three: Advanced 145

Transitioning font Self to Character

The Fourth Acting Question

Research

Imagination and the Actors Contribution

The Moment Before in Context

Character Arc

Advanced Integration

Dance Readiness

Risks and Spontaneity

Collaborating with Other Performers

Worksheets

Chapter 7 Master Class 192

Some Basics of Diagnosis

Identifying and Addressing Performance Issues

Section 3 Practice Use

Overview 211

Chapter 8 Audition 214

Before the Student Enters the Room

Once the Student Is In the Room

After the Student Leaves the Room

The Callback

No Callback

Suggested Reading

Worksheets

Chapter 9 Rehearsal 256

A Collaborative Process

The Big Picture

Preparation for Rehearsal

During Rehearsal

The Final Weeks of Rehearsal

Suggested Reading

Worksheets

Chapter 10 Performance 288

Strangers in the Room

Physical Care and Stamina

Collaboration, Continued

Understudies, Replacements, Standbys, and Swings

Consistency and Keeping It Fresh

Living on Stage

Conclusion 300

Permissions 301

Contributors Biographies 305

Authors' Biographies 311

Student Companion Ebook and actingthesong.com 313

Index 314