Photo - Bill Kneen |
The moment was during a community theater production of Brigadoon in which I played the romantic lead, Tommy Albright. This lovely Lerner and Loewe musical has gorgeous music best sung by talented performers with top technique at their disposal. I struggled to get through the show vocally. With a combination of no voice training and a bad sinus infection, I managed to get through the performances with a combination of determination and
Tim Barden as Tommy Albright in Brigadoon Photo - George Walker |
But, I respected my dear friend and cast mate so much I decided to give it a try. As it turned out, her voice teacher at the time was Broadway’s own V. William Reed. Although primarily teaching at his studio in Manhattan and Circle in the Square School, he generously saw a few students at his home in Vermont during the weekends. Although I was completely petrified to go see him, I decided to give it a try.
My first lesson felt like a disaster. I was simply unable to do much of what was asked of me and although Bill was kind and gracious, I felt like a complete failure. But, something in the way he worked with me made me feel that there was hope. I began seeing him regularly and my journey began.
The first year of studying was an exercise of two steps forward and one and three quarters back.... I realize now that what first had to happen before I could make progress was to unlearn all the bad habits learned from well intended chorus teachers and years of misusing my voice (especially years of singing lead in a rock band). About 3 months into the process I began to see glimmers of light. I was beginning to see the parallels between learning proper vocal technique and my experience with acting technique classes I had taken years earlier working in professional theater. The breakthroughs came slowly and steadily and I began to learn my strengths, weaknesses and how to employ technique to my best advantage. I also began to learn how to act a song.
I stuck with it and studied for several years. The singing and song interpretation techniques I learned by working with Bill are ones I’ve carried with me and continued to build on. I was fortunate enough to not only study with Bill but also be directed by him in a production of the Maltby/Shire show “Closer Than Ever”. Simply put, I could not have done the things I have done in theater if it weren't for Bill. Especially Max. I never could have put Max on stage if it weren't for him.
Besides being a performer, I've had many different roles associated with the theater. I've acted, directed, designed, and produced. I've had success and failures. But the goal has always been the same. To raise the bar and learn, constantly learn. Find the best and learn from them and never stop learning. After all, it’s an performer’s job to be open to learning something new every moment he or she is on stage.
My wife and I own a performing arts school in Vermont and over the years, I've had the opportunity to pursue my other passion, performing arts photography, shooting artists/companies like the Martha Graham Company, Kyle Abraham / Abraham.In.Motion, Bill Evans, August Wilson Ensemble as well as lots of musical and straight theater. This too has helped me see that, in every genre of the arts, the discipline is the same. Success is the result of a foundation of three things, talent, technique and passion. To be sure, luck is a factor but without the foundation first, luck won’t help.
So my message is this... Specific to musical theater as a career aspiration, and specific to singing as it pertains to achieving that aspiration. Everyone sings but not everyone knows how to sing in a healthy fashion and with the technique that will allow you to run a marathon and win. If you are one of the special breed that has to perform, particularly vocally, find a great voice teacher and do the necessary work to prepare yourself for running the marathon. There are no shortcuts. When you finally reach the finish line you’ll thank yourself for having the courage and dedication to do so. You’ll thank your teachers too.
Thanks Bill Reed, for helping me to put Max Bialystock on stage.