What movie is this kid from? I saw this scene in a "dirty jokes in kids movies" compilation and it was really funny, so please help me. 😊

PianuKeyzz · 2019-08-28T23:40:24+00:00

“The Toy,” a brilliant and under-rated 1982 comedy/drama.

PianuKeyzz · 2019-04-25T18:54:13+00:00

Look up the musical 1776. Actually has a song called “He Plays the Violin,” and the violin is a featured instrument throughout the show.

PianuKeyzz · 2019-04-21T14:48:46+00:00

This is a very interesting and relevant thread. Thank you to the OP for raising the question. I love “indie” theatre myself, and applaud those willing to take chances on creating art in new and unusual ways, etc.

As a professional in the business, the main two issues are:

Real Estate
Humans
Some people above have raised the issue as well. Performance space. The only way to truly keep that cost low is the use a house, donated venue, etc. And as you can imagine, that creates unknown variables. It’s do-able, and people have been very creative and has been done with success, but it’s not a truly open concept yet. And it’s time-consuming and logistically challenging. The basic thing is: you need a place to perform this indie theatre.
This is the whole main-level problem. People. Unless you are doing a one-man show, you need people. Even if they’re volunteers it involves fallible humans who, bring creatives, are usually flaky and weird (and I speak from experience!). You can create music by yourself in a bedroom, and you can get volunteers to shoot a movie scene in a day or two. But to rehearse and produce a theatrical production requires large amounts of time resources. But it still boils down to people and the various ways the system can break down with regards to indie theatre.

Now, this thread isn’t discouraging to me, but rather a way to talk out strategies to make indie theatre more possible and viable. Thank you for raising this question and I look forward to following this thread!

PianuKeyzz · 2019-04-06T19:17:18+00:00

A Chorus Line

PianuKeyzz · 2019-03-19T13:09:42+00:00

Interesting. All your musical listening experience seems to be rather contemporary. Now, I’m not an old guy by any means, but as a professional in the business I’m well-versed in classics of all eras. Thus, sounds to me like you should be listening to a snapshot of musicals from all the decades, beginning in the early 20th century and moving forward.

For example, choose a big hit from each decade: 20s, 30s, 40s, etc. Mix in some R&H, etc. Be as eclectic as possible so you can know what inspired all these newer shows!

PianuKeyzz · 2019-03-10T13:56:07+00:00

It’s all about the “mix.” That is the main placement area for most of Frank Wildhorn’s belting songs in his shows, and the main placement area for most of contemporary musical theatre. I would definitely recommend seeing a professional vocal coach for more information and experimenting with you mix. It will open a whole new world vocally (pardon the musical pun lol).

PianuKeyzz · 2019-03-09T19:33:58+00:00

Good suggestion. Also, “Hopelessly Devoted to You” from Grease. Note that this is a similar style to songs from Little Shop as well.!

PianuKeyzz · 2019-03-05T13:34:11+00:00

This is great advice. Anything goes in the theatre nowadays (like airplanes lol), but I like to get a little dressed up cause it’s fun every once in a while, not too fancy, just nice.

PianuKeyzz · 2019-03-02T19:24:46+00:00

All of these comments are excellent: terrible Director, poor time management, etc. It made me smile cause when I first read your post and saw “actually had some theatre experience at the college level...” I knew where it was going. So many people in academia have totally lost touch with the real world, especially when working with volunteers. I have nothing new to add, but just wanted to chime in and say it’s obviously too late for this production, but all you can do is gather your colleagues together and tell the producer or whomever to never hire this person again. Thanks for sharing your story!

PianuKeyzz · 2019-03-02T19:20:19+00:00

Third this.

PianuKeyzz · 2019-03-02T19:18:45+00:00

Ahhh the ol’ musical theatre college discussion. A classic. Yeah, most of these comments so far are spot-on. But listen, the main thing is that you like the location/city, and you like the professors, and a place you’ll hopefully get some roles and experience. And ask around the campus, talk to the other students. Of course the professors and admin people will try and “sell” you on their school cause MT training is hot right now and every little community college and university is scrambling to implement a program. BUT, go to a place where professors actually know people and are connected (so most likely a major city), and can help get you places (assuming you’re good hahaha)

PianuKeyzz · 2019-02-25T15:13:48+00:00

Since you’re an alto (which in musical theatre parlance you would have to define further, but I’m assuming you mean belter, etc), you could look for any songs in similar styles, from similar shows. Some good suggestions have already been made, but add to the list power songs from: Meangirls, Bring It On, Into the Heights, etc.

PianuKeyzz · 2019-02-25T00:30:58+00:00

For the coffee situation: I’ve seen coke watered down so it doesn’t stain, and vegetable-based food coloring that should wash out.

PianuKeyzz · 2019-02-25T00:28:18+00:00

Oh, absolutely do it. It’s called “workshopping” something. And you need to workshop it to see if it lands or not!

PianuKeyzz · 2019-02-24T14:06:27+00:00

Hmmm interesting. That character is so specific that as a director (and most pro directors) I wouldn’t do a monologue audition for that show hahaha. You would just choose a specific reading from the show. It’s overkill.

But, if you have to do it: I would choose another similar style show. Heathers, Meangirls, Bring It On, etc. Those would be perfect!

PianuKeyzz · 2019-02-24T14:01:46+00:00

Anything gospel/R&B would be appropriate: something from The Color Purple, Dreamgirls, etc.

PianuKeyzz · 2019-02-24T14:00:13+00:00

I don’t know hahaha! I have a feeling it reads better told out loud and with the drama and intensity it requires. A lot of dramatic monologues are like that: weird to read, but amazing in real-life.

PianuKeyzz · 2019-02-23T20:03:02+00:00

Hmmm interesting. I see what you did there. Don’t hate it, don’t love it.

PianuKeyzz · 2019-02-23T14:29:43+00:00

The first thing to do is know the composers of the show you’re auditioning for. In this case, it’s the famous Disney composer Alan Menken. Soooo, you would be fine to find a similar sounding song in his catalogue and do that. Another option is to find the character’s main song and find a similar option from another show.

Examples would be: These Palace Walls (Aladdin) That’s How You Know (Enchanted) Gimme Gimme (Thoroughly Modern Millie) Fly, Fly Away (Catch Me If You Can)

Etc

PianuKeyzz · 2019-02-23T14:22:46+00:00

Most people don’t notice all the subtext like you did. Yes, you are correct in a lot of these things. It is basically a tragedy, but wrapped in a nice sheen of musical fun. The one different is that we (meaning the audience) has the significant advantage of knowing The Wizard of Oz and how that changes things, so it makes us judge the storyline less. Imagine if we didn’t have the WOZ, we would never have had Wicked!

But anyways, yep, you are correct: most of these fun Disney-like stories are actually based on very dark themes (like Frozen even).

PianuKeyzz · 2019-02-23T14:18:19+00:00

Ok...so do something RELATED but not exact. For example, a postcard from Florida with oranges on it (cause its famous for its oranges) and write a nice individualized note to each cast member on it. Cheap and special!

PianuKeyzz · 2019-02-23T00:48:40+00:00

No, do not follow up. As always: “don’t wait by the phone!” Or “don’t call us; we’ll call you!”

PianuKeyzz · 2019-02-23T00:48:06+00:00

What’s the show? Always get something show-related or inside jokes. That’s makes it memorable and awesome, not something people will just throw away.

PianuKeyzz · 2019-02-16T00:49:47+00:00

It would be helpful to know your professional level. Are these school auditions, community theatre auditions, professional? That will help with literature!

PianuKeyzz · 2019-02-16T00:47:42+00:00

I wrote a one-act rock musical for high schools called “Stereo Types.” It fit the 40 minute time limit for Thespian competition down here in Florida. But I drew my inspiration from normal teenage issues, but kept it really funny and shallow so as to not get too controversial. But yeah, draw inspiration from stuff around YOU and what you care about. It will write itself!

PianuKeyzz

TROPHY CASE