Photo Source: Shutterstock
Let’s be clear: If your audition song is so tied to a region that it doesn’t make sense sung without the appropriate accent, then you need to rethink your song selection. The only time to sing in character, according to Backstage Expert and voice teacher Andrew Byrne, is if you’ve been brought in for that role. Otherwise, give yourself the opportunity to invent your own circumstances around the song!
Welcome to Set the Scene, Backstage’s video series of advice for performers. We release new videos every Tuesday and Thursday, so be sure to subscribe to the Backstage YouTube Channel!
Andrew Byrne
Andrew Byrne is a voice teacher, performer, and composer-lyricist. His songs have been featured in movies, Seth Rudetsky’s “Obsessed!” series, and in many international concert venues. He has served on the University of Michigan musical theater faculty, and has taught internationally at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, The Banff Centre, and the Danish Academy of Musical Theatre.
See full bio and articles here!