I feel awkward posting this here, but...

[Mercutio121687]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 11:33am

I'm going to be auditioning for the high school theatre program for a year at Interlochen Arts Academy soon and, since this is a site full of performers I really need feedback/suggestions so I can have a great audition. I was just in "Les Miserables" at my school and I played the part of Valjean. Here: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/7/matthewkacergismusic.htm

At that site there are three audio clips, please listen even to a portion of one and give some constructive criticism. Thank you so much!

Updated On: 12/3/04 at 11:33 AM

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 11:39am

How old are you? Sounded great to me...I kind of hate you a little now :)

[Mercutio121687]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 11:41am

If you would like a visual, our video guys made a {very cheesy} trailer as a preview of the dvd.

http://www.jdmstudios.com/qcktm.html

The opening credits are good for a laugh.

I'm 17 by the way. High school Junior, hoping to spend my senior year at interlochen, so if anyone else is a singer and has technical/interpretive advice pleeeeease speak up! :)

Updated On: 12/3/04 at 11:41 AM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 11:49am

It's hard to judge with a piece like Les Miz. Be careful not to get off on the pyrotechnics of your voice. You don't want to be like Mandy Patinkin whose every note is dripping with drama.

[misterchoi]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 11:53am

awesome.

[Mercutio121687]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 11:55am

Yes, les mis, while i love it is very bombastic and overdramatic. But ah, it's still a lovely show. Come on people you're theatre people! I know you can be critical.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 11:59am

Hey, I was an Interlochen Arts Camp student in musical theatre for a few summers, and auditioned for the academy (didn't get in, my own stupid fault for not being prepared.) I'm currently at my school library - stupid trig software - so I can't listen to it now, but if you want to PM me I would be totally willing to talk to you about the process and everything later. Interlochen is an amazing place.:)

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 12:12pm

you're fantastic!
my one suggestion (I'm listening to Bring Him Home) would be to hold off on the vibrato at the start of the sustained notes and add a little at the end of the note. The final notes of important phrases can have a little more.
Of course, that's insanely nitpicky. You've done a fantastic job- good work, keep singing!

[Mercutio121687]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 12:21pm

Thank you! Any criticism! Nit picky is fabulous! Be mean! Haha

[Mercutio121687]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 12:58pm

and of course you can always PM if you don't feel like responding. everyone should sign up and get some files on the internet! it would be wonderful to hear all the voices within the community!

[Jess1483]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:10pm

Sorry, no criticisms here. I haven't studied voice very much, so I can't really help w/any technique, it sounds good to me! I'm really impressed that you're only 17. Good luck with the audition!

[Mercutio121687]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:15pm

Thanks!

I love your signiature. Tick Tick Boom is just incredible.

[Jess1483]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:30pm

Thanks. Isn't it though? I can't bear to change my signature, even though it's been the same since I joined in July. Oh well...

[Mercutio121687]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:36pm

Oh my gosh DON'T change it. VIVA LARSEN!

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:44pm

I thought your "The summers die, one by one, how soon they fly on and on" was exhilarating. But I felt you were too forceful in the first few stanzas of the performance. Start softly, lightly with very little vibrato, and build up to that moment.

[birdboy782]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:44pm

Okay..

I was an actor studying Interlochen Arts Academy for three years and now I'm double majoring in acting/musical theatre at Carnegie Mellon...

Interlochen doesn't have a musical theatre program. They have musical theatre classes which you can take, but acting comes first there. So, regardless of what you sound like - you aren't auditioning for a voice program - so whatever you do, do something that fits your personal experience - something you can really strongly connect to...and if that isn't a 50 year old convict, that might be good, too. The monologues should be a huge focus. You do the two monologues and THEN the song - which is usually done with a tape...so the monologues are the first impression and their first concern...find material that you are passionate about and suits you well. Get friends or teachers to take an objective look at you. However, they also are very impressed by singers - but only if they can act the song. More musical theatre people are starting to come out of there (i.e. Michael Arden)...and they're starting to take that aspect of the training a bit more seriously. So...go for it! Updated On: 12/3/04 at 01:44 PM

[Mercutio121687]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 1:50pm

I'm doing a monologue from Trophies by John J Wooton for my dramatic and i'm still looking for a comedic. Yep, I've been training in acting as long as I've been training in voice. Thanks for the feedback!

[glitzguy3]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 2:01pm

very impressive...you've got a real gift!

[Mercutio121687]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 2:03pm

where is everyone getting their comedic monologues?

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 2:06pm

YOU ARE VERY GOOD!

I am also a 17 year old singer.
I would also say to hold off on the "power" and "drama" that you seem to pour into every note (acceptable for Les Miz)

Also- breathe. I noticed you gasping twice on "Who Am I"

That said- You are GREAT!

Good luck.

[Mercutio121687]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 2:07pm

YAY FOR POCONO PLAYHOUSE! I was at a wedding up there earlier this summer we try to go once a year its so beatiful in pocono manor.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 2:11pm

I am just in the children's theatre not the mainstage but it really is good and a great learning experience.

Also- I just noticed that you sometimes strain for the higher notes after belting

Glad you like it in the Poconos...I personally can never wait to leave (though I do love it here)

[Mercutio121687]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 2:15pm

Heh my voice is better suited for Javert but being that it was a high school and I could hit the notes (not as well as my lower register...i'm defintely a baritone :) ) they cast me as valjean.

[Mr. TN]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 2:18pm

Very well done. You actually remind me of, well, me back in the day. (Sorry, My little moment of self esteem.) The sound of your voice is great. I will PM you with my constructive critisicm but I just want to say I am impressed with what I heard (inbetween my stupid computer rebuffering every five seconds)

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 2:25pm

I'm siging up on that web site but I have a question.

What genre would you chose if it included everything from Les Miz to Rent to Phantom to Assassins(and everything inbetween)?