Acting Through Song

Acting Through Song is an exciting eight-week course for singing actors in grades 8 - 12 to incorporate strategies designed to help young singers connect to their songs in new and meaningful ways. Some of these include:

• Script/Score Analysis Techniques
• Gesture/Bodily Awareness
• Managing Performance Anxiety
• Audition Techniques

By the time students finish the course, they will have the tools to effectively communicate text, incorporate their body into storytelling and characterization, and approach performances & auditions with more confidence.

Each class will include professional warm-up routine, some lecture time, as well as individual and group coachings to integrate lecture topics into performance. An additional feature is that many of the classes will be accompanied, so students will gain valuable collaborative skills. 

The course will cover 4 topics of song performance:

• Script/Score Analysis
• Physicalization/Bodily Awareness
• Managing Performance Anxiety
• Audition Techniques

A supportive, brave-space working environment will be cultivated in class filled with a sense of play, while giving students practical tools on which to build their song interpretation process. Observation, discussion and feedback will be part of each class to encourage the development of constructive feedback skills.

Students are encouraged to record their own coachings (smartphone recordings work great) in order to analyze and assimilate the tools learned during class in their individual practice throughout the week, but this is not mandatory.

Repertoire:

Generally, this course is most suited for students looking to gain skills for the musical theatre world, but repertoire outside of the MT canon, including Classical, pop/rock, and other such non-MT music, are encouraged to register. Students should bring a fully-memorized piece that will be brought to a higher level or performance through the course. 

Who is this course for:

Students, grades 8 thru 12 who are:

• Interested in learning more about Acting Through Song, for a career, school, or as a hobby/just for fun
• Wanting to brush up their skills for performances/auditions
• Most comfortable singing, but want to sharpen/invest more in their dramatic interpretation skills
• Experienced actors, but have a desire to acquire repertoire and more confidence singing in front of an audience

The final class will include a short “mock audition” showcase for invited friends and family for the last hour.

LYNDSEY COLE (she/her) is an experienced performer and instructor of Theatre. As a performer, she has been seen onstage in venues across North America. Most notable credits include originating Francine in the Broadway-In-Chicago production of Jersey Boys, Sophie u/s in the 2nd Broadway North American Tour of Mamma Mia! and the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards Tribute to HBO’s The Sopranos. Lyndsey has a BA in Theatre and Dance with a Musical Theatre concentration from James Madison University and is also a proud member of the Actors Equity Association.

As a private acting instructor, Lyndsey particularly specializes in coaching & teaching musical theater performance techniques, movement/ body work, and healthy, sustainable artistry. She also teaches masterclasses, most recently teaching “Physicalizing the Musical Theatre Song” at the 2022 Georgia Theatre Conference. She also instructed high school students in “Acting Through Song” at UGA’s 2023 Summer Music Institute.

For more info, check out: www.LyndseyColeActor.com