So D is auditioning for some summer stock . Not tons just a few . I know her best chances may be getting amusement park work as a vocalist. My question is she keeps being told by lots of people that it’s bad for your voice & someone even got permanent damage from doing it. Thoughts from others who’ve had kids do it?
My d has two friends who have both sung at amusement parks for two summers. No vocal damage. They both loved working at the parks.
I would think it would depend on what show you’re in and the rigors of the performance schedule. I know some parks those shows are like several times a day but I’m sure they switch out with other people etc.
@KatMT do you have thoughts on this? Since I know you’ve had students who have worked in parks .
D has many friends who have worked theme parks during the summers. The shows seem to range from 3 to 8 a shows a day. No one has had vocal damage, but the schedules are extremely rigorous and can be exhausting. That said, everyone has made very good money and enjoyed their contracts.
Summer stock can also have vocally demanding schedules, with a full show every day plus a cabaret and/or a pre-show.
@EmsDad - don’t forget rehearsals and on some days a children’s show!
It’s definitely like bootcamp. Those kind of demanding schedules really just require discipline for some. Vocal rest when not performing, no smoking/drinking/partying, getting a lot of sleep. Not saying the folks who had vocal damage didn’t follow those rules but it can definitely influence difficulties on any kind of contract. Performing multiple shows a day (often outdoors) plus the aforementioned stuff can be a recipe for disaster… not too mention any bad vocal habits that have yet to be broken or previous vocal health issues.
@theaterwork I have had students work in theme parks, and most do fine vocally. @AlexaMT covered much of what I talk about with students about before going into theme park (or summer stock). I’d add staying incredibly hydrated, using a personal steam inhaler (without menthol), and warming up properly (both physically and vocally). Also, I suggest keeping up with material that is using a different side of your voice (ex. old Italian aria) to maintain vocal balance. Not overdoing it with outside singing and practice, but making that part of a warm-up routine.
Off topic, but I have had more students struggle with vocal health as sleep away camp counselors… tendency to yell to talk over children, irregular sleep patterns, allergies, difficulty finding the time and space to warm-up and practice regularly. That being said, I spent 2 of my best summers as a camp counselor… it is possible to stay healthy if you keep aware, and work at staying in vocal and physical shape.
That’s really great advice that I will share with my D, @KatMT ! She has done (and has loved) the camp counselor gig her last couple years in high school-she is certainly exposed to weather and humidity extremes, allergens, and yes, sometimes having to use an outside voice, even inside 
I have a question about the amusement park gigs. How does it work with going back to school at the end of the season? Wouldn’t they conflict?
@carriemc95 - Amusement parks usually do a combination of summer hires and extended season hires.
Some contracts do extend into the school year a couple weeks (as do many regular theatre contracts). Schools can be understanding, but really depends on the school.
Our D worked one summer for an amusement park. As has been mentioned, it is an extremely demanding schedule physically but the money was good. I do think if you choose to do this kind of work it is imperative you understand good vocal health. That had been a focus at her MT program, and she was the only one of her cast who did not have vocal issues at some point during the summer. She said many of them just did not know how to take care of their voice, or if they did, didn’t do the things they needed to do to keep it healthy. So it is really up to the performer to take care of themselves. One benefit, she felt working in a park and doing so many shows per day was helpful to her in building endurance. She did have to turn down a nice summer opportunity because it ran into the school year and her school would not allow her to miss any school. However, she also had another instance where she was able to negotiate leaving a contract a couple of weeks early as it ran into a Fall contract she had already accepted. So depending on the park and the show, it might be possible to negotiate leaving early.
Our D, a graduating HS senior, is working this summer as a singer/dancer at a theme park within driving distance of home. It seems to be a perfect filler before she starts college this fall as an MT student for multiple reasons. She is excited to be paid for the first time doing what she loves, along with meeting new people, many with a similar passion. Plus her friends and family can come to see her perform all summer long whenever they wish. She certainly will learn a lot along the way. Fitting the initial training dates into her calendar was a bit of a jigsaw puzzle, but after that it seems things will flow nicely.