Acting Opera (SM): What is ACTING OPERA?


	HOME WHAT IS ACTING OPERASM? What Happens in the Training? Who Participates? Musical Theater Singer-Actors Non-Singing Actors The ACTING OPERASM ADVANTAGE Why ACTING OPERASM? Classical Singer Magazine Article Where Participants Have Succeeded Testimonials ABOUT MEMORYMASTERS^TM Benefits of Direct Memorization Comments on MEMORYMASTERS^TM FUTURE TRAINING DATES AND LOCATIONS ABOUT MARC TASLIT Who is Marc Taslit Marc Taslit's book on acting CONTACT INFORMATION

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE TRAINING?

Acting exercises using spoken and sung texts
Cold Readings using non-operatic scripts
Introduction to a life-altering memorization technique called MEMORYMASTERS^TM

Our highly effective training exercises are based on a profound awareness and knowledge of the singer-actor's vocal, musical and theatrical conditioning. The exercises are purely technical and do not deal with the actor's private life or personal history in any way. Based on the acting-training principles of Sanford Meisner and Charles Conrad, our work is non-invasive and non-"Method" in both philosophy and practice.

Our verbal drills and text exercises lead the singer-actor to the openness and in-the-moment "presentness" necessary for genuine spontaneity. Spontaneous behavior causes the audience to see a genuinely believable person, rather than an actor who is acting out a pre-determined "character".

Our Cold Readings and other text exercises provide the additional benefit of preparing singer-actors to audition for non-singing productions, monologue performance and other avenues of theatrical self-expression.

What Repetoire Does Each Singer Prepare for a Weekend Intensive?

The required repertoire varies based on the musical genre in which the singer wants to work.

Example I. Opera singers prepare:

One Recitativo (not in English)
One aria (not in English) with or without Recitativo

NOTE: Do NOT select the aria that follows the chosen recitativo. However, if the aria has a recitativo, feel free to prepare it as well.
One English-language aria with or without Recitativo

Example II. Musical Theatre singers prepare:

One or Two song Intros (the "talk-y" part preceding the song)
One song with or without an Intro

NOTE: Do NOT select the song that follows the chosen Intro. However, if the song has an Intro, feel free to prepare it as well.
Another song, with or without an Intro

All choices must be from the standard Opera or Musical Theater repetoire.

All choices must be pieces the performer knows very well.