MUSC 288: Musical Theatre Junior Review: Auditions for Musical Theatre

 

Mondays 2:30-4                                                        Melanie Blood

Brodie 208                                                                   Office: Welles 217B, 245-5840

Office hrs: MW 11-12, by apptmt                      blood@geneseo.edu

MUSC 288 Daily Syllabus:

 

Monday August 27:

               Course Introduction

               Read: Cohen, Acting Professionally Chs 1, 2, beginning of Ch 3 ÒYour GoalÓ and ÒWho       Are YouÓ

 

Monday Sept 3: Labor Day, no class

              

Monday Sept 10: Vocal Repertoire Meeting

               Bring your complete repertoire books

               Guest: Krista Cofield (SUNY Geneseo Voice Major, Class of 2000, MFA from Boston Conservatory)

               Read: Kayes Singing and the Actor, ch. 13 ÒThe Act of SingingÓ, on my courses.

               We will compile a class list of guidelines that bring together your vocal approach from lessons and seminar with acting choices, based on the above chapter.

 

Monday Sept 17: Monologue Meeting

               Bring all monologues you have, in a binder.

               Read: Bruder et al, A Practical Handbook for the Actor, Introduction and Part 1 chs. 1-3 (through page 47)

               We will be compiling a class approach to choosing and rehearsing a new monologue,      based on this short text

 

Monday Sept 24: Vocal Repertoire Meeting

               Preparing cattle call/non-equity auditions

               Cuts of music for 90 second and 2 minute auditions due, performance ready

               2 new songs to fill holes in your book due (sheet music in binder, start to learn)

               Browse: http://www.strawhat-auditions.com/ and http://www.netconline.org/

               Read:

 

Monday Oct 1: Monologue Meeting

               Preparing for cattle call/non-equity auditions

               Cuts of monologues for 90 second and 2 minute auditions due, performance ready

               2 new monologues to fill holes in your rep due (text in binder, obtained play, initial         acting choices made)

               Read: Bruder et al, A Practical Handbook for the Actor, Part 1 chs 4-7, pp 48-66.

 

Fri Oct 5-Sun Oct 7: Stratford trip; strongly encouraged. Seeing WilderÕs Matchmaker,    ShakespeareÕs Much Ado About Nothing, 42nd Street, and YAGMCB. There will be an            actor talkback and you should prepare questions.

 

Monday Oct 8: Fall Break, no class

 

Sun Oct 14: 9:30-11:30 Auditioning Master Class with touring actor from Mary

               Poppins. On campus, location TBA. Cost $10.

 

Monday Oct 15: Unions, training programs, graduate schools-- discussion.

               Discuss Broadway Connections workshop with Mary Poppins actor

               Discuss Stratford as relevant to our class

               Read: Cohen, Acting Professionally ch. 4 ÒEstablishing YourselfÓ up to ÒTalent RepresentativesÓ and review Ch. 2  section ÒTraining and ExperienceÓ

               Browse: Actors Equity website: www.actorsequity.org esp. FAQ and Membership Candidacy Program

               Midsemester Book check

 

Monday Oct 22: Vocal Workshop

               2 full songs ready, perform in class

 

Monday Oct 29:

               2 full monologues ready, perform in class

 

Monday Nov 5: Casting directors and agents discussion.     

               Read: Cohen, Acting Professionally, ch. 4 starting with ÒTalent RepresentativesÓ

               Read: mycourses links on agents and casting directors

               Work day, mostly on 90-second and 2-minute auditions

 

Monday Nov 12:

               Final performance of 90-second and 2-minute auditions

 

Saturday Nov 17: ActorFest sponsored by Backstage at Marriott Marquis in Times Square. Strongly encouraged. Yes I know itÕs MTC weekend.

               *http://www.actorfest.com/ itÕs free but you must sign up; workshop and mtgs w/ casting directors incur a cost.

               *A one-page report on what you can use from ActorFest is due Monday, Nov 19.

 

Monday Nov 19: Discuss headshots and choosing a photographer and headshot.

               Discuss continuing training: one off skill-based workshops, and continuing acting, dance and vocal training in NYC.

               Read: Cohen ch. 5

               Discuss ActorFest; 1 page summary due

               Browse: http://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/resources/new-york-acting-schools-and-coaches_3/

               ?? NYC Guest via Skype

 

Monday Nov 26:

               Work day on 2 monologues, 2 songs

               Updated draft of headshot and resume due.

               Read: Bruder et al, A Practical Handbook for the Actor, Part 2, pp. 69-86.

 

Monday Dec 3: Demo reels and online actor marketing: your next steps AFTER this class

               Guest: Alex Sovronsky (SUNY Geneseo, class of 2006, MFA from Academy for      Classical Acting at GWU)

               Read: http://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/an-emmy-nominated-editor-offers-nine-tips-for-a-dynamite-demo-reel/

               Read: http://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/secret-agent-man/surfing-the-web-with-a-casting-net/

 

Monday Dec 10:

               Final run with notes of 2 monologues, 2 songs

 

Exam: Wednesday, Dec 12, 3:30-6:30*

               Performance of 2 monologues and 2 songs for faculty.

               Final draft of headshot and resumes due

               End of semester book check

               *This date and time may need to move to accommodate schedules of reviewers; you will not be asked to skip any other regularly scheduled exam. If it moves, I will be available for extra coaching during that time.