Are drama schools ignoring our musical theatre heritage?

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

Hello,

I found this good article about drama schools and their MT training… something that got my attention was that according to the artistic director " I’m agog at how some of the younger generation are simply not able to sing a song written before 1960 without giving it a full pop riff. It seems to me that Mariah and Christina have a lot to answer for".

This article is from the UK but I still believe that US MT and UK MT have parallels, a lot of you will disagree with me but MT has been globalized so as MT education worldwide. Even those US Americans considering applying to UK MT Schools should consider this too.

Also it shows a certain reality on MT becasue the author says that " I suspect only certain drama school graduates will survive: those who are ready to come into the audition room willing to hear what is being sought in any given production and who are able to adapt and deliver that particular thing in 20 minutes or so. The readiness is all."

This is the link:

https://www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/2017/daniel-evans-drama-schools-ignoring-musical-theatre-heritage/

2

I’m thinking training in pre 1960 and post 1960 is essential. Hopefully we’ll have new musicals. More in the pop genre and hopefully we’ll always have revivals. Schools will always be known for one thing or another. The more tricks a student of theater can have in their bag will always make them more desireable in the audition room.

3

I love what the voice coaches have done with my S’s bass/baritone register over the past 3 years. His sound has become much richer and more resonate. However, based on feedback from a number of masterclasses, he has had to work on his “rock” sound and add some rock cuts to his book. Luckily, he has been working golden age as well so hopefully, will come out able to play in any genre!

4

With regard to Golden Age song styling, what the article describes are choices being made in the audition room by actors, which are not necessarily reflective of their training. I think every BFA MT program in the US requires a broad range of vocal training and requires a well-rounded repertoire, and, in addition, they require at least one semester in Musical Theatre History. I know at my d’s school they are required to be proficient in many vocal styles including art songs, Golden Age, pre-Golden Age, patter, classical cross-over, etc.

Here is the vocal curricula requirements for Western Michigan MT:

Freshman Spring semester
Five songs prepared by memory

  1. Italian art song or Operetta
  2. Operetta/British or American art song
  3. Traditional up-tempo
  4. Traditional ballad
  5. Early contemporary choice

Sophomore Fall semester
Six songs prepared by memory

  1. Traditional ballad
  2. Traditional up-tempo
  3. Early contemporary ballad
  4. Early contemporary up-tempo
  5. Classical crossover
  6. Art song or aria

Sophomore Spring semester
Six songs prepared by memory
1 Traditional
2 Classical crossover
3 Early contemporary ballad
4 Early contemporary up-tempo
5 MT Pop
6 Music Theater choice

Junior Fall semester
Six songs prepared by memory
1 Traditional ballad
2 Traditional up-tempo
3 Complex contemporary
4 Patter song
5 Pop ballad
6 Music Theatre choice

Junior Spring semester
Six songs prepared by memory
1 Traditional ballad
2 Traditional up-tempo
3 Complex contemporary
4 50’s or 60’s influenced MT
5 Country influenced MT
6 Music Theatre choice

Senior Fall semester
Ten songs prepared by memory
1 Pre-Golden Age ballad
2 Pre-Golden Age up-tempo
3 Golden Age ballad
4 Golden Age up-tempo
5 Early contemporary Story song
6 Early contemporary Dramatic ballad
7 Contemporary Story song
8 Contemporary Dramatic ballad
9 Non-MT Pop/Rock – Edgy
10 Non-MT Pop/Rock

I don’t think there is an issue with vocal training and repertoire in US MT programs. There may very well be a trend for auditioners to use more Pop/Rock vocal styling for non-contemporary settings, especially given the popularity of shows like Hamilton.