A few weeks ago, I talked about the role of the “I Want” song in a musical. From that blogpost, I created a series of questions that the actor needs to ask themselves when preparing that song and gave it to my students for our studio class on the topic.
Tonight, we will be exploring the “I AM” song. This is the song that defines the character and establishes:
- a character’s personality
- role in the plot, and/or
- motivations
Like the “I want song,” it is often more effective sung than if it were done as dialogue. Also, it isn’t confined to being a song in musical theater. (The Beatles’ “I am the walrus” comes to mind.)
It can be a song specifically telling us who you are: “My name is Regina George…. and I am a massive deal” (Mean Girls) or it can be more subtle: “I miss the mountains” (Next to Normal).
Or a song telling us you are who you are despite what society thinks: “I am what I am” (coincidentally the name of the style as well as the actual song from La Cage aux Folles)
Or who you’re going to be: “Astonishing!” (The “I am becoming song” from Little Women, which, to me, is awfully close to the “I want” song, but …. )
It doesn’t have to be sung about yourself, necessarily. It can be about someone else – a “You Are” song. And it can be positive (“Gaston,” BATB) or negative (“You oughta know, Jagged Little Pill – the album AND the musical). The latter is what is referred to as “The Villain Sucks” kind of sung.
You don’t have to be the lead character. You can be the Hero, the Villain, or the Sidekick.
You just have to know who you are.
And maybe, just maybe, if you know you are in song, you can apply that to life.
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If you’re interested in breaking down your songs both technically and interpretatively, contact me to see what we can work out.