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Has this ever happened to you? You\u2019re flicking through the script for that new show you\u2019re in. It\u2019s something classical, say, Shakespeare, so you\u2019re familiar with the text and what\u2019s going on. But then, you spot it. Maybe it was always there, maybe the director added it? For some reason, in between all the harks and\u00a0 thines and exeunts \u2026 your character sings<\/em>. Which means\u00a0you\u00a0<\/em>are singing. On stage. In front of people. Familiar? Let\u2019s talk about working with a musical director.<\/p>\n Working with a musical director ensures that you are confident in any musical aspects you might be called upon to perform in a production. For trained musicians or musical theatre performers, this is standard practice. For straight theatre actors, this process can be a little more daunting. However, musical directors will ensure that you are taught any relevant music, adequately rehearsed, and perform to the best of your ability.<\/strong><\/p>\n We tend not to talk too much about musical theatre on StageMilk. Despite a few of us possessing musical training (including the person writing this article), it\u2019s a slightly different focus than our work with actors on stage and screen. However, more projects than ever are calling for actors to bring some musical know-how to a role\u2014stage shows in particular. So we\u2019re here to keep you informed, confident and (most importantly) calm.<\/p>\n A musical director is a person on a production team in charge of the musical aspects of a production. They teach, coach and rehearse the cast, along with any musicians that might be performing in the production, and ensure that the music is in line with the director\u2019s vision for the show.<\/p>\n Musical directors aren\u2019t the only personnel concerned with music on a production. Composers, for example, may provide an original score, as might sound designers\u2014who also create sound effects and atmospheric elements to aid in storytelling. And a musical director may fulfil any or all of these additional roles, not to mention playing in or leading a live band.<\/p>\n What distinguishes a musical director is their work with the cast. Their primary job is to ensure that performers feel confident in what is required of them, throughout rehearsal and into production.<\/p>\n And you thought that would keep you safe?? Live music is having a real moment in theatre these days: it often adds some excitement and spectacle to proceedings, and audiences eat it up. Directors will routinely add songs to shows, perhaps a moment where a character sings either as part or the story world or a commentary on themes or plot.<\/p>\n Certain plays (again, here\u2019s looking at you, Shakespeare) contain songs that exist within the story world. When audiences experience the same music as the characters they\u2019re watching, it\u2019s a wonderful way of creating a sense of immersion and inviting a viewer\u00a0into\u00a0<\/em>the world of the play.<\/p>\n It\u2019s highly unlikely a director will cast you in something that is secretly a musical<\/a>. If so, you\u2019d hope they\u2019d at least get you to hum a few bars of something in the audition<\/a>. But gone are the days when the addition of songs or live musical elements are a surprise, or even unexpected. It\u2019s best to be prepared.<\/p>\n The first thing to do is not to panic. Just like the director, a musical director is there to help and support you. Their presence and guidance does not mean that you\u2019re lacking in any shape or form.<\/p>\n Next, you\u2019ll want to have a frank discussion with them as to your own musical abilities. Again: there\u2019s no judgement here, just a determiner of how best to utilise your abilities. When I work on a production as an MD, I like to do a friendly survey as to what people\u2019s level of musical proficiency is. Are they trained? Confident? Learned as a child? Completely tone-deaf?<\/p>\n Depending on your level of ability, they\u2019ll provide you with materials to help you learn what\u2019s required of your role. You may receive guide tracks that sing or play your part, chord charts or even sheet music if that\u2019s your thing. Jump into these early, as they\u2019ll help you feel confident in music rehearsals.<\/p>\n When it comes time to rehearse with your fellow cast mates, don\u2019t feel the need to be perfect and perform. Instead, engage in frank conversation when working with a musical director so they know how best to help and support you.<\/p>\n You may have noticed at this point that a musical director is like any other creative on a team: they will work methodically to cater to your needs as you develop your craft. That said, we want to throw you a few additional points worth consideration when working with a musical director.<\/p>\n Be up front. Don\u2019t feel the need to people-please, or hide the awful truth in order to be a team player. If you honestly have no talent or ability, working with a musical director will do nothing. So take the pressure off yourself to do something quite literally impossible.<\/p>\n Tell your director and they\u2019ll work something else out. Seriously: music isn\u2019t for everyone, and the worst place to discover that is after\u00a0<\/em>you force an actor to sing a song that ends up ruining an otherwise tender scene.<\/p>\n On the flip-side of that: when you do have musical ability<\/strong>, tell the director if you think it\u2019ll help the show! There\u2019s nothing quite like discovering somebody in the cast can sing opera, or play the trumpet, or bash out some chords on a piano.\u00a0 But only if you\u2019re comfortable, and even so feel free to set boundaries so you\u2019re not being overburdened. After all, you\u2019re already acting in the show\u2026<\/p>\n Hello! Alexander, here: I thought I\u2019d take a second to write to you directly, rather than in the royal \u201cwe\u201d of the StageMilk article. <\/em><\/p>\n Honestly, there isn\u2019t much I\u2019d tell you that I haven\u2019t already said above in first person plural. So I\u2019ll jump straight to this: music is a joyous, exciting thing to share with people. And I mean that in regards to actors as much as audience members. Bring your excitement and capacity for joy into a music rehearsal, and we\u2019ll be well on our way to making the music in our show sound excellent.<\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s fun. It <\/em>should be fun. When music is fun, it sounds its best. As your musical director, your enjoyment and confidence is as much my responsibility as you knowing which bar to come in on. So keep communicating, let me know how you\u2019re doing and I\u2019ll do everything I can to make you feel safe and supported.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Good luck!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nWhat is a Musical Director?<\/h2>\n
\u201cBut I\u2019m not in a musical\u2026\u201d<\/h2>\n
Working with a Musical Director<\/h2>\n
Some Helpful Tips<\/h2>\n
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When You Have No Musical Ability<\/h2>\n
Conclusion: A Musical Director\u2019s Perspective<\/h2>\n