I often find myself marveling at a young actor’s natural ability to connect emotionally to a monologue. It seems to be second nature for my students to find material that gives them the greatest chance of delivering a standout performance. However, when called upon to sing a musical theater song, the ability to connect emotionally to a lyric becomes a challenge! As the music begins to play and the young actor begins to sing, their performance often falls flat, is devoid of emotion, and lacks that all-important ingredient for a great performance: authenticity.
Is the lack of authenticity a matter of poor song choice? Is it because bursting into song feels unnatural? Are they too concerned with hitting the right note? Or is simply that the disconnect because they mimic the cast recording and are not able to “make it their own”?
If you’re a parent of a child performer, use these homework assignments to translate their natural ability to speak with authenticity into singing with authenticity!
1. Pose the question, “Why do actors on stage burst into song during a musical?” A child is fully aware that breaking into song during math class to express their hatred for algebra would be reason for detention and not a standing ovation! However, a parent can teach their child that musical theater is a heightened reality, where song is used when an actor is so moved, they just have to sing! In song, an actor can express a higher level of feeling. In other words, the stakes become so high in a scene that a combination of music, lyric, and movement is required to convey the experience.
2. Perform the song as a monologue. Help your child break down a lyric as they would a monologue. The goal for your child is to act and forget about tempo, rhythm, and hitting the right note. Turning a lyric into a monologue by simply speaking it without the burden of any musical influences will allow a performer to concentrate on connecting with the meaning of the song. The young performer is forced to really think about and understand the lyric, allowing them to concentrate on what they are trying to express to their audience. After understanding the message of the song and the motivation for singing it, an emotional connection will follow.
3. Open the dictionary. Since many musicals are not set in the present day, it is important that each and every word, phrase, and historical reference be understood. Kids may simply misunderstand what a song is about due to unfamiliar references or vocabulary. A convincing actor must always carefully dissect the lyric.
4. The five W’s (and How). This comes straight from English class, and for the young actor, is given a bit of a twist. Ask your child to answer the simple questions of who, what, where, when, why, and how for the lyric they are singing. The twist is for them to substitute themselves and their memories for the character they are playing, making their performance more authentic.
Start with, “Who am I?” Often students will say, “I’m Annie,” if they are performing the song “Tomorrow.” However, the lyric can be made more personal by substituting their own name and one of their life experiences for Annie’s. Perhaps reflecting on a time during which they had a horrible day but were able to have a positive attitude about “tomorrow” holding hope and promise will allow them to connect emotionally to the lyric.
Follow “Who am I?” with “Who am I speaking to?” If their answer is the name of the character in the song, instruct them to substitute somebody from their life. By substituting their best friend, a trusted teacher, or their mother, a child will have a greater connection to the lyric and their performance will feel more authentic. Moving through the remaining W’s (and how) will help to make the lyric “their own.”
After completing these four assignments, it’s time to add the music. You’ll find that your child’s ability to deliver an authentic, standout musical theater performance has grown. You may even be rewarded with a nice, shiny red apple for all of your hard work!
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and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Backstage or its staff.
