Description: Musical theatre is an incredibly diverse genre that draws from popular music spanning across the decades. The scores from these shows are vast and varied. From pop/rock, to country, gospel, and classical, this “genre” of music is really a bunch of genres wrapped in one. A successful singer of musical theatre must have easy and flexible access to belt, mix, and legit style singing. Professional musical theatre performers can have anywhere from 5 - 12 shows a week. Oftentimes, two shows within one day! Healthy vocal technique is the foundation careers are built upon. During this two =-day course students will be guided through a variety of exercises that can help cultivate access to, and build confidence in your healthy belt, mix, and head voice. We will explore vocal techniques and acting techniques that allow the actor to tell the story and prepare for their next audition.


Day 1

● Musical Theatre Styles - Classical to Contemporary - (1 hour)
Students will explore the various styles of music that are encapsulated in the musical theatre genre and discuss the vocal requirements for each of these styles. We will briefly discuss the idea of “filter- source” to modify our sound to achieve authenticity in each of these styles. Students will listen to examples and work to understand how they can use these techniques in their own singing.

● Group Singing: Getting Ready to Sing (1 hour)
The group will be guided through a physical and vocal warm-up that is geared towards preparing the body to sing and perform. Students will learn vocal exercises that focus on cultivating and accessing all parts of their voice in a healthy manner. We will concentrate on developing both head voice and chest voice registers in tandem. This is an interactive session - bring a yoga mat, additional materials will be provided.


1:00pm-2:00pm Lunch break

● Group Singing: Healthy Mix and Belt Workshop (30 minutes)
We will continue our work in cultivating a versatile and healthy musical theatre technique by discussing resonance and breathing strategies for both belt and mix. Students will learn about the different types of mix and belt voices and we will untangle some of the confusion around the words “mix” and “belt”. Students will be given a wealth of vocal exercises to utilize in their work towards developing a versatile and healthy voice.

● Masterclass: Mixing and Belting for Musical Theatre (1.5 hour)
In our first Masterclass, 6-7 selected participants will work to apply the techniques we’ve explored utilizing mix and belt. Selected participants will work on vocal technique and performance in one-on- one sessions and receive feedback from the instructor as well as fellow classmates. Performers should indicate interest in singing for the Masterclasses, as well as their contemporary musical theatre song selection on their application form.


Day 2

● Acting the Song: Workshop (1 hour)
Musical Theatre is storytelling! In this workshop we will explore various techniques in
“Acting the song”. Students will complete a lyric and musical analysis for their own
songs. This workshop will discuss character motivation, beat changes, musical
cues and how to utilize them in setting the scene and acting the song.

● Audition Workshop: Make the Cut, Rock the Audition, Book the job! (1 hour)
When auditioning for Musical Theatre, performers have just minutes to make an
outstanding impression on the production team behind the table. This interactive
workshop will include an overview of current musical theatre audition practices. We
will discuss how to make a cut, how to enter the room, how to work with an
accompanist and show your best self at your next audition.


1:00pm-2:00pm Lunch break

● Group Singing - Versatile Voice (40 minutes)
We will continue our discussion on cultivating a flexible and versatile singing technique that allows for healthy vocal production in all styles of music. Students will receive a complete set of vocal warm-ups that they can do when they don’t have a piano in front of them. We will explore techniques to go from classical to contemporary singing and back again within a short time frame, cultivating the versatility of voice that is required for these contemporary styles.

● Audition Masterclass: Putting it Together (1 hour and 20 minutes)
Applying the techniques used across the 2 days. 5 - 6 selected participants will present their 32-bar audition cuts. Selected participants will work on vocal technique and song interpretation in one-on-one sessions and receive feedback from the instructor as well as fellow classmates. Performers should indicate interest in singing for the Masterclasses, as well as their audition cut song selection on their application form.


Bio:

Lori L’Italien joined the Conservatory in 2017 and is an assistant professor of voice and vocal pedagogy. She specializes in musical theater and pop/rock styles, and working with singers to develop a versatile, flexible, and healthy technique that allows for freedom of expression and storytelling throughout a broad range of musical styles.
As an educator, L’Italien has served as an instructor and administrator for the Metropolitan Opera Guild in their Boston Urban Voices Program and for the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood. She is the former program director of performing arts at Lasell University, where she directed the theater productions and the choir; taught voice, music theory, acting for the stage, and musical theater history; and helped oversee the creation of a performing arts minor.
A versatile and in-demand performer, L’Italien has been seen on both opera and musical theater stages across Boston and New England. Recent highlights include Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder with Lyric Stage Company; Magenta in Rocky Horror Show (Moonbox); Lisa in A New Brain (Moonbox); Acid Queen in Tommy (Maine State Music Theatre); Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (Reagle Music Theatre), earning nominations for both an ARTS IMPULSE Award (Best Actress in a Musical) and an IRNE Award (Best Supporting Actress in a Musical); Lucille Frank in Parade (FUDGE), which earned her an IRNE award; Gabby/Bobbi in City of Angels(FUDGE); Sally Bowles in Cabaret; and Betty Haynes in White Christmas. L’Italien also can be seen as a frequent soloist with the Firebird Pops Orchestra.
L’Italien holds an MFA in musical theater from Boston Conservatory at Berklee, an MM in opera performance from Longy School of Music at Bard College, and an MEd in vocal music education from the University of Maine.


Note: Please be aware that purchased tickets are non-refundable, and registrations cannot be transferred.