2012 Vocal Performance Workshop
High School Musical Theatre Ensemble
Welcome to the 2012 WVMTF Musical Theatre Ensemble Workshop. This weekly vocal performance class is designed to give aspiring professional teens the opportunity to work with some of the industry's top talent, develop their craft and perform original works in a professional setting. This year will include events, master classes, and (most-importantly)...
All participants will perform at the 2012 West Village Musical Theatre Festival in a full Off-Broadway Production.
STAGE ONE - AUDITIONS
High school students from the New York Tri-State Area attend the open call auditions on Sunday, February 26th, 2012 at the New York Live Arts Center (219 W19th Street between 7th and 8th Aves). There is a $10 accompanist fee payable at the audition. (Students using their own accompanist are exempt from this fee) During the auditions, applicants will be asked to sing a 16-32 bar cut from any song of their choice. They may then opt to perform either 1.) a 60-second monologue or speech from a play/movie or 2.) a 60-second improvised or choreographed solo dance piece from one of three pre-selected songs. Applicants will be objectively scored on vocal and acting ability as well as general stage presence and professionalism. A total of 24 performers plus two alternates will be chosen. Full and partial financial scholarships will be awarded to the highest-scoring applicants.
STAGE TWO - VOCAL PERFORMANCE CLASS
After all particpants are chosen and accepted, classes will commence once per week. Curriculum will focus on: repertoire development and profiling, acting through song, musicality, movement, group exercises, ensemble work, partnering assignments, scene study and much more! Students will be encouraged to work in a detailed and specific way standard to a professional performer.
STAGE THREE - ORIGINAL MATERIAL
In the second month of class, professional composers, book writers and lyricists will be invited to observe the participants and begin writing scenes and songs according to their type. Students will learn and perform this original material in class.
STAGE FOUR - CASTING
From this original material, a show will be written. This 90-minute musical will consist of monologues, scenes, solo, duet and group numbers as well as some dance (for qualified applicants only). ALL students will be cast as evenly as possible and according to their strengths.
STAGE FIVE - REHEARSAL
Once the show is set, the students will spend May and June rehearsing (in class unless otherwise announced) the show. Dress Rehearsal is MANDITORY and must be attended by all participants. No rehearsals will be scheduled during general school hours.
STAGE SIX - PERFORMANCE
The lights go down... the curtain goes up... and the class is no longer a class but a trained professional ensemble of actors performing an original Off-Broadway Show! There will be three total performances with the possibility of one extended matinee.
Auditions for the 2012 High School Musical Theatre Ensemble will be held on:
Sunday, February 26th
( from 2:00-8:00 p.m.)
at the
New York Live Arts Center
( 219 West 19th Street between 7th and 8th Aves)
Space is limited! Click the picture above to reserve an audition slot! For more information, click on "Requirements" to the left.
SIGN UP FOR AN AUDITION TIMESLOT
Auditions will take place on Sunday, February 26th between 2:00-8:00 p.m. We are aware that this is the final day of WINTER BREAK for New York City public schools. You may sign up online by clicking HERE or calling Performers Career Center at 646-473-0900 (Tues-Thurs 11a-7p).
PREPARE A SONG
Memorize a 16-32 bar cut (30-60 seconds) of a song in the standard or commercial musical theatre repertoire. You will be singing this cut with a professional accompanist (pianist), so please practice your song with piano or background music. You MUST provide sheet music for your selection.
PREPARE YOUR SECOND SELECTION
You may choose between one of the following for your second selection:
1.) A 16-32 bar (30-60 seconds) cut of a second, contrasting song of your choice. (This second song may be sung a cappella if you prefer, but must show strong acting ability)
2.) A MONOLOGUE of your choice (60 seconds or less) from a play or movie script that best demonstrates your acting ability. Dialects/Accents and character choices are welcome and encouraged.
3.) A SOLO DANCE PIECE improvised or choreographed from one of four pre-selected 60-second tracks. Click HERE to listen.
REHEARSE!!!
While we aim to make the auditions as stress-free and fun as possible, we are looking for a performance! Please aim to be as rehearsed and professional as you can be. We know you will be nervous--that's part of the challenge! For many of you, this will be the first time you have ever auditioned for a professional workshop. Don't worry... your talent and personality will shine through.
SHOW UP ON TIME
Please understand that audition timeslots are not an exact science. People run late... staff members need coffee (trust me, we NEED coffee!), and we may be ready for you sooner than you are expecting or running 30 minutes behind. Please show up early (just in case)!
SHOW UP PREPARED
Please come with your music MEMORIZED and neatly prepared in a three-ring binder. There is a $10 accompanist fee for all participants not providing an accompanist of their own.
(NOTE: our accompanist is very good, but he is not a psychic. If you expect him to play your song, you must have legible SHEET MUSIC for him to read... not a lyrics sheet... just cause you know the song "goes like this" doesn't mean he does. And, no, a cappella singing is not acceptable for a professional audition. Part of your score will be determined by your ability to follow the piano accompaniment)
The better your music is prepared, the better he will play it. We want you to have a great audition, so please help us help you!
Also, please have your second selection (monologue, contrasting song or dance solo) memorized and ready.
Most of all, HAVE FUN!!!
Applicants must fit all the following requirements in order to participate in this workshop:
1.) Must be 13-18 years old at time of audition and currently attending an accredited High School program and in good standing (no academic suspensions/probation)
2.) Must NOT HAVE performed in a full Broadway production
3.) Must NOT be a current member of Actor's Equity Association (AEA)*
4.) Must have tuition paid before the first class or have a signed contract for payment plan on file.
5.) Must have a release of liability and permission from current parent/guardian on file prior to participation. This includes permission to perform at the West Village Musical Theatre Festival.
6.) Must show up with a positive attitude and prepared to do professional work and be pushed harder than ever before.
Still have questions? Please email info_wvmtf.com or use the CONTACT US link on the menu to your left.
* - Current AEA members may apply for a LOA (letter of agreement) for an educational workshop. Please contact actorsequity.org for more information.
The following are links to sites that sell SHEET MUSIC for your audition material:
MAIL ORDER
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
SHEET MUSIC PLUS
SHEET MUSIC DIRECT
VIRTUAL SHEET MUSIC
AMAZON.COM
MUSIC NOTES
ONLINE SHEET MUSIC
The following are the four cuts of music for the DANCE portion (optional) of your audition. Please select ONE of the four and choreograph or improvise a dance solo. We will have the music for all four songs prepared and cued for your audition. After you have registered for an audition slot, you may request these auditions cuts for download via .mp3
DREAM IS COLLAPSING
TAINTED LOVE
FEELING GOOD
GRACE KELLY
A limited number of AUDITION COACHINGS are available through Wickham Vocal Studios at Performers Career Center. Coachings are an excellent way to prepare and polish your audition in a way that makes you stand out.
Coachings come in 15, 30 and 60 minute increments and cover:
Discounted coaching rates available for pre-registered applicants:
In addition, all coachings are overseen by the Founding Executive Director of the festival, Patrick Michael Wickham. Sessions are available Monday-Friday from 11a-10p.
To set up a coaching session, please contact the WVS administrator, Charlie Demos, at 646-473-0900 between noon and 6p Tuesday-Thursday. You may also email admin_vocalstudios.com to setup a coaching session. Space is extremely limited!
Standard package class tution: $285* p/month
Premium package class tution: $385** p/month
All of the above plus:
Upfront payment discounts and scholarships are available! Please contact admin_vocalstudios.com for more information.
* - Monthly payment plan for 4 installments ($1140 total). Cost includes class costs, festival registration, production allottment, master class fees and all expenses for the year. Tuition does NOT include a $75 p/student accompanist fee.
** - Monthly payment plan for 4 installments ($1540 total).
Merit-based financial scholarships will be available this year thanks to the first-ever Anika Noni Rose Encouragement Endowment. This endowment, consisting of two full and several partial financial awards (to be used solely for class and festival training) allows students who may not be able to otherwise afford professional training and opportunities to experience the exciting world of New York Theatre first-hand.
All participating applicants are automatically eligible and pre-registered for this scholarship. Recipients will be announced via email upon completion of all auditions. Full scholarship recipients will be awarded the title at the West Village Musical Theatre Festival Closing Awards Gala.
Jose Restrepo
James
Morgan
Patrick Michael
Wickham
(other faculty TBA)
José Restrepo is a professional actor and Teaching Artist in New York City. Along with a slew of workshops and readings of new musicals, credits include - Broadway: "GREASE" [2008 Best Revival Tony Nominee] (Sonny LaTierri). Off-Broadway: "FAME on 42nd St." (Joe Vegas).
National Tours: "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER" (Gus), "FAME- THE MUSICAL" (Joe Vegas). Regional: EVITA (Ché), “REEFER MADNESS” (Jack/Jesus). Most recently, José worked with Jason Robert Brown on the 2011 State Farm National Agency Convention in Las Vegas, NV. As a teacher, he has coached privately or in a class setting for over 15 years. Recently, he has worked with The Public Theater and Classic Stage Company to bring Shakespeare to the next generation of young actors. An accomplished singer, and dancer as well as actor, José has taught master classes at various performing arts colleges & studios throughout North America. He continues to bring his unique insight and experience to help prepare new artists for the challenges and realities of a career in the performing arts."
Composer/pianist Jim Morgan received a B.M. in Piano Performance from New York University in 1996. An accomplished pianist, Jim has performed concert works in both the U.S and abroad. In addition to composing for film and television, Jim has served as a musical director, studio and orchestral keyboardist for multiple shows including Broadway's Hairspray, Aida, and Promises, Promises.
He has written music for hundred of commercials and promos over the last 13 years and his work has been featured in Shoot, ProSound News, Adweek and Creativity Magazine. His compositions have been awarded by the New York Film and TV Festival, the ProMax Awards, the AICP, and WorldFest Houston. His orchestral scores can be heard on the History Channel's series "The Great Ships" produced by Perpetual Motion Films.
Jim currently serves as the head accompanist for all PCC Productions and Wickham Vocal Studios events and is the musical director for the Emerging Professionals Showcase series at the Duplex Cabaret Theater. He also serves as head accompanist and musical director for the West Village Musical Theatre Festival Education Events.
The Founding Executive Director of the West Village Musical Theatre Festival and current President of PCC Productions, Mr. Wickham has been called "a pioneer in successfully combining the fields of voice technique, structural integration and vocal physiology." Patrick Michael Wickham's innovative work as a voice physiologist and master teacher has gained international attention.
Mr. Wickham currently serves as the PDP (Professional Development Program) Director of the New York Singing Teachers' Association and is in current demand as a lecturer in master classes and programs all over the country and abroad. A voice specialist with many celebrity clients, Mr. Wickham has been featured on Inside Edition, Vh1, and ESPN, as well as in interviews in multiple national publications.
As an SDC-member stage and musical director, he has helmed over thirty Off-Broadway and Regional productions and operas, many of which included his professional students and alumni.
As a performer, he has been professionally engaged nationally in concerts, operas, two Broadway National Tours, and recently on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. Mr. Wickham has sung with numerous opera companies and appeared in two Broadway National Tours (Miss Saigon, Chess).
New York's first festival of all-new one-act musicals by a selection of NYC's top emerging professional talent. This year's West Village Musical Theatre Festival will feature over twenty new works from some of musical theatre's most exciting emerging and established writers, composers, and lyricists. Established in 2009 as a way to allow professional actors, composers, lyricists and directors to showcase multiple smaller-portion works in a single evening, the festival has grown to include 24 individual shows per year. It is one of the most popular theatrical events of the New York theater season.
This year marks a turning point for the festival as we go OFF-BROADWAY!!! The festival will be held June 8th-17th at the stunning New York Live Arts Center. This space will provide an unprecedented opportunity for patrons to see new works developed at a Broadway-caliber facility.
Mainstage productions (including the High School Ensemble Performances) will be shown at the Bessie Shoenberg Theater (pictured left).
For more information about the festival, please visit http://www.wvmtf.com
1. What makes this workshop so special?
It is an opportunity for emerging professional performers at the high school age to work on a professional level--something rarely offered in New York or anywhere. In the class and through the festival, students will have the opportunity to work directly with top industry professional composers, directors, producers, book writers, lyricists and other top actors in the field. The friendships and relationships they can develop through this process are invaluable. The experience and training will boost their college preparation significantly. Most importantly, they are walking away with a full OFF-BROADWAY CREDIT on their resume--something few working professional actors can even boast.
2. What "stars" will be involved?
We are still putting together our lineup for celebrity masterclasses and performers. Past guest artists have included: Adam Guettel, Billy Porter, Steven Oremus, Lilias White, Hunter Foster, and many more! This year--with the festival a full Off-Broadway event--we are in talks with an even larger selection of A-list Broadway (and film/TV) celebrities. The festival itself attracts the Who's-Who of current Broadway and Off-Broadway producers and performers.
3. I don't have sheet music for my audition son--can I just sing it a cappella?
Nope! This audition measures not only your raw talent, skill and potential, but your ability to follow along with an accompanist. Please see the "MUSIC" page for more information on ordering sheet music. (NOTE: make sure your music is in the right key!)
4. I have a background/karaoke track for my song. Can I just use that for my audition?
Sorry, no. Again part of your audition is the ability to follow along with the accompanist. You will be performing to live musicians in the festival show, so we need to see that you can follow along and adapt.
5. What songs are appropriate audition material?
The best material is standard legit (old school) or contemporary musical theatre songs that best show off your range and abilities. Pop, R&B or other commercial music is allowed if you have sheet music and you think the song will be appopriate for solo piano accompaniment (songs that are drum-loop, guitar or synthesizer heavy in these genres are highly discouraged)
6. What exactly is the festivall?
Please click on "WVMTF" on the left to learn more about the festival.
7. I'm in middle school. Can I still audition?
If there is an audition slot remaining and you want to audition for NEXT YEAR's program, you may (applies only 8th graders/rising freshman).
8. What if I am not selected? Can I audition next year?
High schoolers are allowed and encouraged to audition every year so long as they meet the age requirements for the workshop.
9. I'm a professional actor who stumbled on to this site. Can I audition for the workshop?
No, but you can submit your materials for the professional general auditions. please email submissions_WVMTF.com with a heashot, resume and cover letter along with ACTOR SUBMISSION in the subject line.
10. What about school?
This workshop is designed for High School students, so we work around all the general New York Public School calendar. There should be few (if any) conflicts with normal school hours.
Performers Career Center
249 West 34th Street #707
New York, NY 10001
Tel: + 1 646 473 0900
Email: info_wvmtf.com
Copyright 2012, PCC Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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