☝️"That is really going to be a powerful sound for you." -Kate, Studio Coach

Each month, you'll get backstage access to the tools, insights, and breakthroughs helping our singers...

• Walk into auditions with confidence and vocal freedom
• Build sustainable technique that holds up for 8-show weeks and self-tapes
• Stay connected to a creative community that actually gets this life

Whether you're actively auditioning, in rehearsals, or building towards your next big opportunity...there’s something here for you.

So let's get into it!

Industry Insights: May

🌟Audition Ready?

Masterclass with Casting Assistant, Jaron Cole

This month’s Industry Guest Masterclass was a goldmine for anyone prepping musical theatre auditions and a chance to hear directly from someone currently casting major Broadway and regional productions.

Jaron Cole joined us from ARC Casting, where the team is working on:

• Broadway + Tours: The Lion King, Chicago, Real Women Have Curves, Othello (featuring Denzel Washington), and the upcoming Romy and Michele: The Musical (starting Sept 2025)

• Regional: Ogunquit Playhouse, Sharon Playhouse, and Bay Street Theater

Takeaways You Can Apply Now:

1️⃣ Authenticity over "Act-y" Choices: Focus on honest, grounded delivery — especially in comedic material. (Deadpan can be powerful!)

2️⃣ Get the notes right: If you're working on a well-known piece like Adelaide’s Lament, use a plunk track to get 100% solid on rhythm and pitch.

3️⃣ Stillness Reads on Camera: When self-taping, stillness and clarity often communicate more than over-animated choices.

🎬 Bonus Industry Tip: Your resume and headshot matter, but don’t sweat the website unless you’re actively being Googled. Being findable is enough.

Questions we covered:

• How often are casting teams asking for monologues in auditions?
• Do you have anything specific you want out of a slate?
• What are your thoughts on "on location" self tapes like in a dressing room or hotel bathroom?
• Do casting directors really visit actors' websites?

*Industry Guest masterclasses are available to our Studio and Masterclass members! 

🌟Wicked Wins

In May’s Spotlight Masterclass with Broadway's former Madam Morrible (Studio Coach, Erin), we dove into the rich vocal and character world of Wicked — one of Broadway’s most iconic (and demanding!) scores.

Here’s what we explored and how you can apply it to your own audition prep: 

1️⃣ Character Comes First

Whether you’re singing “Defying Gravity” or “Popular,” understanding why your character sings matters just as much as how. We worked on earning emotional build-up, grounding vocals in character stakes, and using storytelling to drive vocal choices.

Try this: When prepping any audition song, ask: What just happened to my character? What do they need in this moment? That question alone can transform your delivery.

2️⃣ Clear the Vocal Clutter

Several singers saw big shifts by adjusting placement, easing tongue tension, and using tools like straw phonation to boost stamina.

Try this: If your voice feels tired, swap a full-out run for a semi-occluded warm-up (like straw phonation). And if you’re not at 100%, remember: strong intention at 75% is often more powerful than pushing at full capacity.

3️⃣ Let Your Body Lead

One singer completely unlocked “Popular” by leaning into physical comedy. The takeaway? Your voice is only one part of the performance puzzle.

Try this: Move. Walk the room while you sing. Loosen your limbs. You’ll be surprised what opens up when you let your body guide the phrasing.

4️⃣ Wicked Casting: What’s True Right Now

Yes, casting needs shift—but one thing stays steady: storytelling wins. Connection matters more than perfection.

Try this: Approach your audition like a scene. Even 16 bars can tell a full, compelling story when you treat it like a moment of truth.

🎉 Takeaway Wins from Class

• Breakthroughs with tongue-forward and “wah wah” or "my my my" placement
• More vocal stamina by using built-in musical rests in “Defying Gravity”
• Confidence boost through letting go of perfectionism
• Comedic material came alive with full-body performance
• Emotional authenticity brought new life to familiar rep

Spotlight Masterclasses are exclusive to our Studio members.

🌟Mix Masterclass Insights

Inside the Mix Masterclass with BVC co-founder Chelsea, we saw singers making real-time breakthroughs in balancing power, freedom, and finesse in their mix. These are crucial skills for tackling modern musical theatre material without burnout.

1️⃣ Strategic Tongue and Neck Work = More Freedom Up Top
High notes often get sabotaged by tongue and neck tension, but most singers never stretch these areas intentionally.

Try this:

• Hold a clean washcloth or paper towel around your tongue while gently stretching your tongue forward.
• Pair this with neck stretches (side + diagonal) and soft sighs to release tension before a big sing.

2️⃣ Mix ≠ Shout — Even When It Feels Powerful
A strong middle voice shouldn’t come at the expense of vocal health. Shouting is not mixing.

Try this:

• Use “w” or “ng” consonants to help find a connected, supported middle mix.
• Experiment with letting more head voice in — especially if you tend to push chest voice too high.

3️⃣ Classical MT = Spin, Not Strain
“Legit” MT styles like Wicked or Light in the Piazza need both forward clarity and taller resonance.

Try this:

• Explore incorporating a portamento between notes where stylistically appropriate.
• Aim for a “spinny” vibrato — more like shimmering air than a heavy wobble. Finding a balanced mix—not too heavy or too light!—will even out your vibrato over time.

Mix Masterclasses are available to our Studio and Masterclass members.

Coming Up in June!

🌟June Industry Guest

John Bolton is in the Building (Zoom Room)!

Get ready to laugh, learn, and level up your comedy chops because Broadway’s John Bolton is bringing the funny to our next Industry Masterclass! With credits like Spamalot, Curtains, Dames at Sea (Astaire nom), A Christmas Story (Drama Desk nom), and a resume stacked with everything from Titanic to Guys & Dolls at Carnegie Hall — John is a true master of musical theatre comedy.

📺 You’ve also seen him steal scenes on Kimmy Schmidt, Madam Secretary, Boardwalk Empire, Gossip Girl, and Blue Bloods — and yes, he has a degree in journalism, so his notes? Chef’s kiss.

🧠 This is your chance to learn what actually makes a comedic moment land — from timing and text work to physicality and truth. Whether you're auditioning for your dream show or just want to be funnier (don’t we all?), you do NOT want to miss this.

🎉 Want in?

Join us inside Broadway Vocal Coach:

👉 Studio Membership: Your all-in-one resource for sharpening your skills, staying connected with the industry, and making sure the details—like tracks and cuts—are covered.

⚠️ We keep Studio small so every singer gets personal attention — spots fill quickly. If you're thinking about it, now’s the time.

👉 Masterclass Subscription: Get access to 3 live classes each month—Pop/Rock with Cynthia, Mix Voice with Chelsea, and an Industry Special Guest.

Come grow with us. 🥰