The Actor Sings: Discovering a Musical Voice for the Stage [Paperback]

Kevin D. Robison (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0325001774 | ISBN-13: 978-0325001777 | Publication Date: March 3, 2000

"Thank you for the monologues; do you have a song prepared?" Many actors shy away from singing, despite the fact that it could more than double their chances at auditions. they feel, and fear, that because they do not have a gorgeous voice, the don't have a singing voice at all - and they couldn't be further from the truth, according to Kevin Robison of PCPA.

This book is guidance and encouragement for actors who want to discover a voice for the musical stage and offers as examples actors such as Judi Dench, Gene Barry, Natasha Richardson, Zero Mostel, and others whose singing voices are not considered traditionally "beautiful," but who know how to make a song their own. Acting a song is more important than making beautiful sounds; Kevin Robison shows the actor how to work with the tools they have to discover a voice for the musical stage.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Equal parts encouragement and sound advice, this book reads like a pep talk for actors who have never considered themselves to be singers but desire to add an important dimension to their audition repertoires. Robison is the resident director of music at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA) in Santa Maria, CA, where he teaches singing techniques to actors and serves as musical director for the PCPA Theaterfest. He begins with the assumptions that everyone can sing and that "singing and acting are not separate events." The book discusses the importance of actors finding their singing voice and the basic physiology of the vocal mechanism, then presents numerous vocal exercises for beginners. The author concludes with important advice on how to find the right vocal teacher and practical "dos and don'ts" of auditioning that apply as much to the veteran vocalist as to the novice. Recommended for public and academic theater collections.DLaura A. Ewald, Murray State Univ. Lib., KY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

An extraordinary contribution to the field of theatre voice and musical theatre! Robison addresses issues and works through problems that no one else has tackled publicly in written form. His chapters on choosing material, auditioning, and finding a teacher are invaluable! -- Joan Melton, PhD / Coordinator of Voice and Movement, California State University, Fullerton

What does one have to "say"? This is the central idea behind The Actor Sings, and one that I think is central to any creative endeavor. Robison's generous nature informs every tool he shares, singing or otherwise. His ideas have me quite excited about my audition tomorrow! -- Jeff McCarthy, actor (Broadway's Beauty and the Beast", "Sideshow")

With clarity and honesty, Robison addresses many of the problems and fears about singing that so many actors have shared. This book provides you with some very important tools: the knowledge that fears can be overcome, skills can be learned, and honest emotion can be shared through singing. -- Joseph Anthony Foronda, actor ("Miss Saigon", Broadway and National Tour)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann Drama (March 3, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0325001774
• ISBN-13: 978-0325001777
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,830,605 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Definite Ispiration!, April 8, 2000

By 

A Theatre Student (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Actor Sings: Discovering a Musical Voice for the Stage (Paperback)

For a book aimed at hepling actors without the confidence and/or will to sing in the musical theatre discover their voice, it is amazing how much this wonderful guide can teach someone who has been singing for years! I thought I knew everything there was to know about singing. I couldn't have been more wrong! Robison's book is very easy to follow as he walks the reader through many techniques and exercises, focusing on things as seemingly simple as breathing, to emotional connection to the lyric. This book offers fantastic insights for even the most experienced singers, starting from scratch, and working all the way up to performance. An invaluable asset to any performer in the theatre!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!, March 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Actor Sings: Discovering a Musical Voice for the Stage (Paperback)

This book is so incredible! It offers views on how to become an actor who also sings, and when you should start. I found the book enjoyable and an incredible learning experience. I found myself going through the book highlighting certain aspects! It's such a great BOOK!