Instructional Materials for Music Theater Singers

Review: A Performer Prepares is a 13-part master class on how to perform on any stage from bleak rehearsal room to the Palace Theatre. The class covers the basic Broadway song numbers, from show ballad to showstopper. With precise, logical steps and dynamic and entertaining dialogues between himself and his students, David Craig takes anyone with the desire to shine from an audition to final curtain call. These lessons on the pages recreate as closely as possible the unique interpersonal dyamic of Craig's legendary coaching encounters in New York, Los Angeles and across the country.

Songlist: Show Ballad, Narrative Show Ballad, Dramatic Show Ballad, True Blues , Pop Blues, Theater Blues, Swinging Ballad, Up-Tempo, Patter Song, Showstopper, Catchall, Contemporary

Review: A terrific take on theatre singing by a master teacher. 'David Craig knows more about singing in the musical theatre than anyone in this country - which probably means the world. Time and time again his advice and training have resulted in actors moving from non-musical theatre into musicals with ease and expertise. SHORT OF TAKING CLASSES, THIS BOOK IS A MUST.' - Harold Prince

Songlist: Words As Script, Music - The Other Script, Phrasing, The Audition, The Song As It Reflects You, The Entrance And The Vamp, "Air" - The Space In Between The Lines, Focus, Introduction To Five Technical Excersises On A Lyric, Advice To The Song Lorn, The Performance, Rideout

Review: Written to meet the needs of thousands of students and pre-professional singers participating in production workshops and classes in opera and musical theater, Acting for Singers leads singing performers step by step from the studio or classroom through audition and rehearsals to a successful performance. Using a clear, systematic, positive approach, this practical guide explains how to analyze a script or libretto, shows how to develop a character building on material in the score, and gives the singing performer the tools to act believably. More than just a 'how-to' acting book, however, Acting for Singers also addresses the problems of concentration, trust, projection, communication, and the self-doubt that often afflicts performers pursuing the goal of believable performance. Part I establishes the basic principles of acting and singing together, and teaches the reader how to improvise as a key tool to explore and develop characters. Part II teaches the singer how to analyze theatrical work for rehearsing, and performing. Using concrete examples from Carmen and West Side Story, and imaginative exercises following each chapter, this text teaches all singers how to be effective singing actors.

Songlist: Introduction, Believability: The Territory and Tools, The Divine Marriage, To Become or not to Become, Playing in the Moment, Judgments and Trust, Creating Your Character, Neither "Right" nor "Wrong", Your Character's Universe, Your Character's World, Your Character's Heart's Desire, Motivating Your Character's Actions, Your Character's Inner Voice, Preparing for Performances, Being Believavle in Any Role, Getting The Part, Getting Good, Delivering a Believable Character, Appendices

Review: Linda Gates addresses key mechanical elements of voice and speech (eliminating division of the two) in a straightforward style. She grounds her approach in the four elements of vocal production: Respiration, Vibration, Resonation and Articulation. This complete and accessible book is a useful guide not only for actors, but for all who want to make more effective use of their voice.

Songlist: The Actor's Voice, Relaxation And Body Alignment, Breathing, Resonance, Sounds Of English, Special Speech Problems, Keeping Your Voice Healthy, The Electronic Voice, Occupational Voice Demands On The Actor, An Approach To Text

Review: Twenty-four leading voice experts speak out on the changing role of voice on stage. Among the essay topics include: Re-Discovering Lost Voices, Thoughts on Theatre, Therapy, and the Art of Voice, Finding Our Lost Singing Voices, Voice Training, Where Have We Come From? , Vocal Coaching in Private Practice, and more.

Songlist: Voice In Theatre And Society, Theories Of Voice, The Voice In Historical Context, The Voice And Current Practice, Last Thoughts

Review: Standard Speech is an anthology of essays from VASTA (the Voice and Speech Trainers Association) on a variety of topics of interest to actors, voice and speech teachers. Exploring the idea of what should be the standards for good speech this volume offers views from more than 40 top experts on the subject. Also essays on Coaching, Singing, Vocal Health, Verse and Dialect Accent studies. A must for the serious student of voice and speech.

Songlist: Pedagogy and Coaching , Applying Theories of Learning Styles and Modalities to Teaching of Voice, Voice Coaching in Professional Theatre , Towards a Career in Voice Teaching, Zeami Breathing , Science for Voice and Speech Training, Issues of Vocal Health, An Otolaryngologist's Retrospective on Vocal Study, Coaching the Business Client, Holistic Singer Empowerment, Physical Tension, Awareness Techniques, and Singing, Moving Towards Vocal Center, And many more