<p>Disclaimer: I’m the founder and Director of MTCA. Because of this role, I have always avoided responding in coaching discussions here on CC. However, I’ve been a theatre teacher even longer than I’ve been a “college coach”, and I think it’s important to point out that each student and family needs different levels of support, and much of that comes in the way of true performance skills and concepts TEACHING. The number of students who want to pursue theatre/MT in college with very little skills training is growing each year. As I tell students, auditioning for competitive college programs is like wanting to play Division I sports - and you aren’t going to make the team if you don’t meet the minimum skills requirements, and the skill bar is set higher and higher each year. </p>
<p>Some students are lucky enough to enter the college audition process with these skills (vocal tech, dance, understanding of the difference between objective-driven acting and showmanship-based performing) in place, but many aren’t. In my experience, coaching most often takes the form of skills teaching or skill refinement in the process of building college audition material. Coaching also encompasses familiarizing the student with the adjunct “in the room” interactions which give colleges a chance to see who the student is outside of his or her material. </p>
<p>Do I think everyone can benefit from coaching? Yes - if it’s with an educator (regardless of title) who knows the differences between the collegiate and professional audition processes and who is also an astute observer of how material “fits” on different actors and singers to bring out their unique gifts and personalities. Do I think coaching is necessary to succeed in this process? No. The more already skilled and unique a performer is, the more likely success is in general. Coaching helps skills develop, helps young performers begin to understand what is unique about their artistry is in comparison to their peers, and helps students enter the audition process confident in their material and in their knowledge of what an audition will be like. This allows them to be fully present in the audition room. Again, some students can do this without assistance, b/c they have had great skills training in their home communities, or b/c they are simply unique, talented, and confident enough that schools are excited by them. </p>
<p>So whether you find a “coach” or not, my advice is focus on strong skill building with really top educators who understand the expectations of contemporary theatre and MT and who encourage artistry rather than surface polish. And as soozievt often urges, have someone evaluate your child’s skills who is qualified to do so and is objective. This can help you identify what you need to ramp up in terms of skills training. </p>
<p>I will now go back to commenting mainly on vocal health things. :)</p>