If opera has biddies, boys, and bitches (or witches, bitches, and britches), then musical theater has momgenues, battleaxes, and dowagers. The difference is that in opera, it’s about voice parts (the mezzo), and in musical theater, it’s about type.
Tag Archives: Audra McDonald
From Ingenue to Grande Dame: Role Models
In the theater world, “role” has an alternative definition – that of a character in a play, movie, or film. When a singer is developing their audition book, they are looking at what roles they could convincingly portray on a vocal and physical basis.
Why I NATS
I’ve told you why I sing – I’ve told you why I teach – but today I’d like to tell you why I NATS (belong to the National Association of Teachers of Singing) and all the things I’ve gained from this journey! And tell you how you can be part of it, too!
Pay Attention
I think I probably have Adult ADHD or ADD. Not sure which, but when I took an online test a few years back, I got to the end of it and it said, “Now, add up your points,” and I said, “Points? I just numbered a sheet wrote down √s for the ones that applied.Continue reading “Pay Attention”
Appreciating without Appropriating
It’s February. My plan today was to write a blogpost about Black History Month, but I feel as though there are a lot of those right now and I’m questioning my place in doing this because I’m not Black. The other day I attended a wonderful presentation by my dear Speakeasy colleagues Amanda Kaiser andContinue reading “Appreciating without Appropriating”
Listening Party #2: The People Called it “Ragtime!”
My second favorite musical is Lynn Ahrens’ and Stephen Flaherty’s Ragtime, which premiered on Broadway in 1998. On Friday, May 8 at 3pm, we’ll be listening to the original cast recording, which features some of my favorite singers: Judy Kaye – Emma Goldman Lea Michele – Little Girl Marin Mazzie (RIP) – Mother Brian StokesContinue reading “Listening Party #2: The People Called it “Ragtime!””