Cabaret Coaching....Help!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 3:29pm

I need some help for my Brother in New York. He is finally pursuing his dream and starting on his cabaret act (much to Mother's chagrin!). He is very good, but just needs some focus and training as well as help with shaping a show. He is considering a woman named Helen Baldasarri (sp?). Have any of you ever trained with her or seen her? He found out about her from a friend of his but someone else told him she wasn't so good. Any feedback would help.
Thanks in advance.

Updated On: 9/12/05 at 03:29 PM

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 1:12am

Sorry, I had to bump this for the Monday morning posters. Anyone?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 1:53am

I'm not a pro on NYC cabaret as I have yet to make my NYC debut (October 24!! lol), but I think I can speak as someone who has seen some cabaret and knows how to take the first steps toward launching a show. Here's my advice (some of which has been given to me):

1. Not the best idea to do a show your first year. Most need a year to adjust and get grounded to the city. Also--unless you know a lot of people, who is going to come? Walk ups are not going to be a good chunk of your audience.

2. Maybe start with a one nighter? Though if you know people, maybe you debut with a multiple show run.

3. See lots of cabarets--traditional ones and non-traditional ones. Find out what you like. Find out what you hate. See the various spaces by seeing shows there.

4. If you like an accompanist you see at a show--ask for their card or number. Call them and talk rates, etc with them.

5. Only you can decide what material should go in your show. However, an accompanist who is able and willing to music direct can help greatly--the collaboration alone. And, I would maybe do a workshop, even a capella in your living room for a friend or two to get some feedback. If they are honest, they will tell you what sucks and what needs fine tuning.

There's prob much more to say, but that's what comes to mind at the moment.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 1:56am

Thanks, Jerby. That is good advice. The material he is interested in is so diverse. I told him he needs to pick a theme...
What about advice on coaches? Do you know this Helen woman?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 2:10am

I don't know her, but honestly, I stay far, far away from coaches, teachers, workshops, classes, etc that I don't know anything about. There are soooo many hacks out there---some are bad people while others just really aren't qualified.

I take voice lessons from someone I know and knew from my friends. And, I started with one lesson to feel him out.

I take acting classes at the school belonging to a well established Off-Broadway theatre.

I would be game for taking classes on acting/auditioning from casting directors who actually work on big shows or from well known/famous directors and performers.

I would say skip the "professional coach" and just find a music director you like and trust. Maybe find a friend who would want to direct you--and pay them, unless they want to do it for experience. While there may be exceptions, I think it's likely true that there are no short cuts or easy rides in this town--and anyone that promises you instant glory is probably a hack. Maybe that's not fair---maybe this person is just a good director and likes to help people create. It can be a tough call.

Cabarets generally need some kind of theme. That can be most anything--a topic, genre, writer, era, etc. My personal advice is to not make a show ballad heavy and to make sure the show is not "your life story" or "therapy hour". Make it fun! lol

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 2:16am

Thanks again. Yea, my Brother could use some therapy, but I wouldn't want him to use his audience for that! He also loves ballads and needs to get some more up-tempo stuff going. Can you say "snooze-fest?" (He really is good, though...)

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 2:23am

Well, if he is good, than the real work starts with

1. continued voice lessons for technique

2. a vocal coach for continued learning of how to phrase songs

3. seeing as much as he can to learn. That's another part of taking a year before doing a show--you get to see what's up in NYC. What's been done? What's not been done? (as far as you can gather)

4. killing the baby. Aka--accepting criticism and choosing material that supports the work you are doing-- not choosing material just because you love it or think it would be cool. Knowing when to cut the fat to make a leaner, tighter show.

5. being yourself. challenging yourself. daring yourself.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 2:27am

oh--and acting! As you well know, every great singer or dancer is a great actor.

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 2:29am

Helen Baldassare is AMAZING! I knew her in the early 90's, saw her perform in NY and she performed at a benefit I produced in Washington DC. She won the MAC Award a couple of times. A few years back, on the Today show, when they do one of those things where they pick different careers, Katie Couric picked Cabaret Singer, and she trained with Helen.

I'm including a link to her performance workshop.
Helen Baldassare

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 2:44am

cool--good to know. :)

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 11:19am

Thank you so much. Jerby, if that is how you trained I am sure your show will be amazing! That is all great advice.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 5:28pm

How about Eddie and Robbij? Redhot? Anyone else have some input?

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 6:02pm

I actually saw one of the final presentations of her class at Rose's Turn. A friend took the class (she was pretty good), but it seems mostly for people who aren't going to actually pursue cabaret, but want to get up on stage and sing. I hesitate to use the word 'amateurs' because of the negative connotation with that word, but that was what the class was made of.

If your brother is serious, I know a bunch of people who could help put together a show. PM me or email me, girl!

[etoile]

Posted: 9/12/05 at 6:06pm

Funny thing, Sueleen, I know of someone on this board who did go through her course. I can't imagine why he's not responding. Well, yes I can.

Send me your brother's email address, or have him email me. You may enjoy hearing this also.