For many people, the only form of entertainment they are exposed to is television and radio. There is so much that this world offers in the way of entertainment that goes way beyond what you can see on the television. Proof positive of this would be the performing arts. Unlike television, performing arts bring about a sense of culture and class that is surely lacking in the modern day entertainment arena.
The basics of performing arts would be those that are performed live before an audience. The range of such productions is not limited and the changes in performing arts over the last couple of decades have been massive, but there is still the chance to see some of the finest in entertainment and have a night out on the town.
Dance is probably the number one performing art that has been left largely untouched over the years. Ballet is popular to this day, despite its roots from hundreds of years ago. Ballet companies travel the world in search of venues to perform and they find them in the major cities for the most part. The largest concentration of theaters that offer shows in the performing arts range can be found in places like New York and San Diego where the rich and famous live for the culture.
Another popular area of performing arts is the Broadway play or musical. This is considered to be one of the many lost art forms in this world and the plays are still popular to this day. Productions like Cats have enjoyed runs that span the decades and the house is still pack on nearly a nightly basis. Others, like the Phantom of the Opera have closed and then reopened in light of renewed interest for the live entertainment industry.
Performing arts took a big hit with the advent of television. Before televisions were a staple in every home, people would go to the theater for their entertainment. In the days before television the number of theaters was massive and one could find a show on a nightly basis that was well within their price range. Production troupes would travel the world and play in any venue that would give them a billing. These groups were made up of actors, singers and other performers and impromptu sketches were the highlight of the night.
In today's day and age there is little use for the theater in most of the world. People will still attend the shows but not in the numbers that were once seen. This has caused a downturn in those that wish to become performing artists in one way or another though there are still many schools in the world that specialize in such performances.
To see the best in performing arts it is best to travel to one of the major cities around the world. Paris is known for the theaters and performing arts centers but there are not a lot of people who can afford to just jump on a plane for a night out. If you have a bit of luck there may be a theater nearby that performs on a nightly basis.
The Academy Of Performing Arts
With all the competition out there today it is not enough to have a good voice or a lot of talent. You must also know how to monopolize and showcase the talent you have and minimize your weaknesses. Have you ever went to a competition and sang your heart out and still ended up being beat by someone with less talent and wonder why? Well there could be many reasons this occurred. Anything from the mood of the judges that day to simple little changes in your performance that could have changed the whole out look of the judges. In this brief article I am going to go over a few of the most common mistakes performers make when they go to competition.
1. Song choice: Choosing the right song for your voice is paramount in the competition world. You can not just choose a song because you like it. For example I love pop music however I do not sound my best when I sing in that style. A song must be suited to your voice, style, and range. Sounds Simple doesn't it. However this is the biggest downfall that most performers make. You should know your vocal range and stay within it. Nothing is more damaging to a performance than a performer coming out on stage and screaming at the judges. If you do not know how to establish your vocal range find yourself a vocal instructor/coach to do so for you. Which Brings Me to my next point?
2. Did you have a qualified source critic your song choice and performance before you took it to the stage: Many performers feel that they have performed long enough that they no longer need a teacher/coach. That could not be further from the truth. Most successful performers have a coach/teacher on staff. They are a qualified and unbiased source of critic. While your friends and family are a great audience they do not have the skills or the education to truly judge you in this case. I find family and friends to either go one way or the other. Either they tell you everything sounds wonderful or they tend to over critic. Just because mom always wanted to hear you sing a certain song and she thinks it would be a fun piece does not mean that it is the song you should use to perform. You should always perform your song for someone qualified to judge you before you perform it for a audience. After you practice a piece to death you tend to miss obvious mistakes that others can pick up on. This second pair of ears is not only helpful but necessary for a great performance.
3. Did you pick a song that is right for the competition you are entering? You must know your judges and your audience. For example if you are performing in a local County Fair competition, singing a piece by Josh Groban may not be your best choice. Most likely the judges will not be educated in this form of music and will not enjoy it nor will those in attendance. It is not only important to win over your judges but the audience as well. It is harder for a judge to give you a bad score if you have the audience behind you. Just a side note on these types of competitions. Just remember most of these judges are not trained. They tend to be people they have found wondering around the fair grounds ? so do not take the criticism to heart. Try to use these arenas for fun and experience not for professional criticism.
4.Did you dress for the Performance? Although flip flops may be in fashion there is no place for them on the stage. No matter what type of song you are singing you need to dress your best or at least the part. We live in a society wear appearance is very important. It is very well possible if they do not like your appearance you will score lower. Also be aware of your body type. Not everyone can wear anything they want. You do not need to be a size 2 to give a impressive performance but if you are a 16 and you go out on stage in a less than flattering outfit I can Guarantee it will affect your score.
5. Did you stage your performance properly: Every performance should be rehearsed just as you will perform it on stage. That being said many performers over stage their piece. It is not necessary to run all over the stage and move your hands to every word. It can be very distracting. When choreographing hand movements in to your performance make sure you are not coming a crossed as one of the ?Pips? and signing every word. The audience is not deaf. You do not need these types of movements to get your point across. Sometime a song simply calls to stand still and perform with your face. Have a purpose to every movement.
6. Practice: The more you practice a piece the more comfortable you will be performing it. I realize learning a new piece is fun but be sure you have had enough time to learn it well enough to be able to perform it well.
7. Can you relate to the song?: Performing is all about telling a story to your audience. If you can not relate to the feelings of the song it will be very hard for the audience to believe what you are trying to sell them. For example a 4 yr old is going to have a hard time convincing a audience that she is crying every night over her broken heart. Most 4 yr olds only know the love of a parent and can not relate to this kind of love and should not be singing about it. Choose a piece of music you can relate to.
8.Did you leave it all on the stage? When you got done with your performance did you feel like you really worked at it? If you can not answer yes to this question I can tell you without a doubt this is the reason you did not win. As a performer you have to go out on stage and perform with your heart or the audience will not watch. Remember this is your job. Treat it as one. Also be aware of how you are acting off stage as well. There are many performers that loose points by simply acting up back stage or in front of the judges. Be careful of what you say or do the moment you hit the arena you are performing in.
All this being said remember we perform first and foremost for the love of the Art of performing. If you are enjoying yourself and loving what you do then you have already won. When it stops being fun that is the time to find another passion. Music should be something that drives you and is a part of who you are. Enjoy yourself!
Both Claire Quaty & Barry Pendley are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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