The work of the singing actor is a lonely business.
Sure, it might not seem that way at first. Singing actors are often in shows, either rehearsing or performing, and we feel ourselves come to life in the company of our fellow artists.
And they’re often in classes, either attending college or high school or enrolled in classes for continuing professional development.
But those hours account for only a small fraction of most of our lives, and during the remaining hours, we still feel a need to connect. It’s an instinct that all humans have, and singing actors are no different. We long to commune with our tribe, to share the latest news, to feel a part of something larger and greater than ourselves.
In a classroom or college experience, powerful personal connections get made. That’s what the past weeks have been like for me, as students in the classes I taught came together weekly not only to acquire new skills and demonstrate their growing mastery but, equally importantly, to connect with fellow artists-in-training. The fellowship, the sharing of experiences, the commiseration and the celebration are a powerful part of the college experience.
But what about summer vacation? What happens to the connection then? Sure, there’s the occasional (or not-so-occasional) Facebook post from your friends, the Instagram photos of your most recent foodie splurge, the tweet from the beach. But for the most part, the work of the singing actor is a lonely business when you’re not in school or in rehearsal. Summertime is one time of year when you are likely to find yourself with time on your hands.
What if there was a way to maintain that connection? To continue to engage on a weekly basis with thought provoking material that was relevant to your growth as an artist, and to connect with fellow artists as they pursue their version of the same adventure?
My weekly posts and emails are intended to help make that happen. Each week I publish useful, provocative information that I think will be meaningful to serious singing actors – material that I’ve culled from my own years of experience making musicals and teaching young artists to perform successfully in them. As you read each week’s posts, my dream is that you will realize that you are not alone, that others are pursuing the same dream as you, and that there are ways that you can continue to learn and grow and thrive even when you’re not in the classroom or in rehearsal.
And let’s not forget, you have the chance to connect online. Perhaps you’ll feel inspired to make a comment on this week’s post. Or you see that others have done the same, and that moves you to chime in and add your own two cents. You find people in other cities, other states, other countries that share your passion, people pondering the same questions and issues that are vexing you, and you learn from their points of view.
My vision of the SAVI Singing Actor site is to provide a place where that can happen. It’s not just a platform for me to broadcast my own ideas about singing acting, though that’s one important feature of the site. I know I have a tremendous amount of valuable information to share; I’ve seen generations of students benefit from my instruction, and nothing brings me greater pleasure than seeing young artists thrive and grow.
But also, it’s a place where we can connect as fellow humans and artists passionately engaged in the same pursuit. My subscriber list includes both students and teachers of musical theater in many countries. What a great community to be able to connect with!
In Act Two Into The Woods, Stephen Sondheim reminds us, “You are not alone, no one is alone.” It’s a message that resonates powerfully for those characters, but we’re all seeking our way through some kind of woods, aren’t we? As a subscriber to the SAVI Singing Actor, you’ll feel a little less alone, and a little more connected to the kinds of community and information that you’ll benefit from.