“Tonight the Supertrooper beams are gonna blind me……” Can NOT get that song out of my head as I am in a state of happy exhaustion after our High School Production of Mamma Mia this past weekend. The show was incredible–our cast really outdid themselves with their extraordinary performances. We had a gift in our show weekend this time, as we were the ONLY cast in the Emelin. We usually have to share the stage with another one of our shows in rep or another booking by the Emelin. But we were the only cast on their stage for four days, allowing us to actually build a set, which was extraordinarily designed by Lance Hallowell (who also designs Horseman’s Hollow for the Hudson Valley at Halloween.) Our costumes, from Donald Birely, were magnificent and our lighting design by Erin O’Brien was gorgeous.
This particular group of kids ALWAYS come through, but the weekend was especially special for me. First off, this semester, I got to work with my dear friend, Megan Osterhaus, who graduated with me from the musical theater program at the University of Central Oklahoma a few years back. Megan has gone on to an illustrious Broadway career that has included “Mary Poppins,” “Les Miserables” and of course, “Mamma Mia.” So, not only did I get to be on the other side of table with this amazing artist that I had spent so much time with, but my students got to do the original Broadway choreography for this show. What a dream!
However, the culmination of the weekend came at the final show, when Megan’s mother and my mentor and college voice teacher, Kay Creed, was present in the audience. While she had been to the studio, Miss Creed had never seen one of my shows and so to have her there watching my students, was truly a full circle moment for me. I knew while studying with her that she was brilliant and I knew over the course of my career that I had learned so much from her. But when I began teaching, it didn’t take long to realize that the words I used to pass on my knowledge of the craft came from her. Miss Creed gave me the language that I continue to use to this day to speak to my students. I shared that with the audience that day, as I introduced Miss Creed before the show.
In the final moments of post-show flowers, amidst tears and joy, one of my Seniors, Rachel, took the microphone and shared with the audience, that while the language I speak was Miss Creed’s, the language that she has learned to speak, came from me. I was blown away.
This is the magic of theater. The gifts that are given from generation to generation are priceless. To have an inpact on young artists is more than I could ever dreamed of, as a young student in Miss Creed’s studio. I will never forget this weekend, as long as I live. And I am honored and privileged to call this my life’s work.
It’s casting season once again at Artistree and as I’m in the midst of casting four shows in two weeks, I have a few things to say on the subject. Casting is one of the most wonderful and most horrible parts of my job. The gleeful emails make me smile and the tough emails bring me to tears. I have said this before–in class, in the blog, in the studio–casting is a like putting together a puzzle. And the puzzle only fits together with pieces you are given–essentially, the members of the cast. A different puzzle is going to have different pieces in any given production. But for this moment in time, the creative team has the job of trying to make these particular pieces (actors) fit together.
In the end, I would say to every parent and child to trust the process. I say those words, (as many of you know) to my students before every performance. But I would encourage you to think about that phrase from the first audition. Trust that you or your child is being put exactly where they are supposed to be at THIS moment. And throughout the process, can you make your mantra, “what can I learn from this?” If you’re given an ensemble role, what else can you learn when you’re not working? Can you study the performances or the direction being given? Can you tell when an actor is actually TAKING direction? So much is to be learned by watching the process–sometimes even more than the doing.
Think about this as the casting for your show is released. Take a moment to breathe before you approach your creative team and see if you can trust the process that is underway. I assure you, taking that challenge, will be the greatest learning experience of all.
As Fall approaches and the temperatures drop (finally), I am usually so excited for the start of school and the start of our Fall season here at Artistree. However this year, it’s slightly bittersweet, as the studio is missing three faces that have been us for ten years. They are our first group of graduating Seniors, who are now Freshmen in college. And it was just this time last year that we were scrambling to get their prescreen tapes done, weeding through each schools individual requirements and helping calm their nerves as they waiting for their early decision choices.
Things have certainly changed since I was accepted into my Musical Theater program. And now that I am watching my most beloved students making this very big decision, I want to impart some of the wisdom that I have learned on the other side.
I would absolutely recommend attending a summer theater program at one of the prestigious colleges the summer between your junior and senior year. Northwestern, Michigan and Carnegie-Mellon are just a few of the wonderful programs that offer summer intensives that can enhance your child’s chances of getting into one of these schools. They are able to work with and be seen by the faculty of these schools, which can be huge come decision time. Plus, the creative experience and training they receive is unparalleled.
Private coaching is a must for someone applying to a good theater school. Gone are the days where you can walk in green. These days, excellent vocal, dance and acting technique are required JUST TO GET AN AUDITION. Do not rely on natural talent. You must study privately with excellent teachers as soon as possible.
After all is said and done, if you have done the work, you have sit back and trust that you will be put where you are supposed to be. That’s how the universe works. And your special and unique artistic talents are going to shine through and be vital to the program that you are selected for.
Being an artist is not an easy road. But if there’s nothing else you can ever see yourself doing, then work hard, prepare, and trust. Your future and an amazing college journey awaits you.
As August is here and summer is slowing coming to an end, I start to think about the beginning of a new school year. The excitement, anticipation and often dread that comes with change brings a spark to the air. And often, it causes my older students to start thinking about what they want to do in college and for many, that answer is musical theater.
If that is the case for your child in any way, shape or form, let me lay out what must be done in order for them to get into a highly respected and beneficial program. YOU HAVE TO START DANCING NOW. No if, ands or buts, get their butts to ballet. I feel as if I say this until I’m blue in the face, but after having spent the majority of last fall working to get students into programs, I was reminded of what I always knew–that if you want a career in musical theater, you have to be able to dance.
Now, I’m not talking about being a prima ballerina. But coordination and familiarity with each style of dance is crucial. When you go to your college audition, the choreographer may very well TELL you the sequence of movements, NOT show you. Therefore, you have to be familiar with the language that they use. Taking ballet makes that happen. Ballet is your foundation, with which other styles can be built upon.
Artistree is one of the few studios that offers dance for musical theater for ages 7th-12th grade. I completely understand that your 14 year old doesn’t want to take ballet with a bunch of 7 year olds. So if it’s not here, then find somewhere they can start to get basic technique, which will build their confidence overall as a performer. The awareness of their body and the space around them only lends itself to any acting or vocal technique they may already have. Trust me, they will be so glad they put on those dancing shoes.
You auditioned well, you got the part and you’ve been killing it in rehearsals. Now it’s tech week and your show is around the corner. How do you make sure you ready to go physically AND mentally? A few additions to your normal routine can ensure that you give the performance of a lifetime and have a blast while doing it, no matter your age OR level of experience.
The water you drink 48 hours before your show is the water that hydrates you in the performance–NOT the bottle you chug right before you go on stage. Up your water intake at least two weeks before. Singers should be drinking at least a half gallon per day. (And honestly, you should work up to one gallon.) If you wait until the day of your show to drown yourself, you’ll just end up having to pee a lot while in costume. Start drinking that water now and getting used to it early on in the process.
So, it’s inevitable that someone will get sick show week. But that someone does NOT have to be you. I am a HUGE proponent for holistic treatments in general, but for performers I feel they are a must. Stay off sugar (which multiplies sick cells) and caffeine (which dries out your throat.) If you see a chiropractor, go get adjusted. Drink lots of herbal tea, eat well and don’t stay up screaming on the phones with your friend the night before your show! Eating clean and taking care of your health will help you in every area of your life, including your performances.
Nothing is better for the voice than rest. So I suggest not just getting enough sleep the week of a show, but EXTRA if you can. Now, I know that can be difficult with late nights in the theater, but sneak some extra ZZs when you can. Sleep helps the body to rid itself of inflammation. And swollen vocal cords can be a problem when you’re about to sing for 2-3 hours straight.
This might the most important. You have the ability to mentally make or break your performance. So, turn on those positive vibes and trust yourself! If you’ve done your work along the way, you are ready to go. Get EXCITED about the amazing opportunity you have in front of you to share your passion with the world. I like to say the following mantras to my casts before their shows: “Trust yourself, trust the music, trust the process, trust each other.” Say a little prayer if that works for you or take some deep breaths. Visualize what you want this performance to be and how you want it to go. Know that you were cast for a reason–because YOU were the person that was meant to tell this story. Revel in that and go out there and knock ‘em dead!
If you do these four steps prior to your show, I can assure you, you’ll not only be show ready, but you will most likely will have the performance that you have dreamed of. Break-a-leg! I know you can do it.
February and March mean the start of camp season at Artistree and I sit watching these amazing kids spend 6 hours with us every day, I feel so very blessed. The studio is filled with singing, dancing, laughter and slime–the art project of choice these days. And as I look around, I realize that all this glorious noise is coming from such a wide variety of kids. We definitely have hard-core theater kids, but we also have campers who are more reserved or ones that are just creative who want to be around that kind of environment.
Camp is a wonderful place to introduce your child to theater. And believe me, theater camp is NOT just for theater kids. Camp is always a more laid-back environment than the normal school year rehearsal process here at Artistree. You include additional snack and lunch time, arts and crafts, field trips and just FUN. Without the normal pressure of putting on “big” shows, camp can be a time for kids to find their confidence onstage and “test the waters” if you will, while experiencing how awesome theater can be. Spring and summer breaks are more laid- back, as they WELL should be, considering how our children have to self-regulate so much on a daily basis as school. This laid-back attitude translates into theater camp as well, making it a wonderful introductory experience.
Many parents like to rotate their weeks in the summer and introduce their kids to lots of different activities. If this is you, then you should definitely put theater in the mix. Even if your child leans more toward sports or science, give them the opportunity to improve their communication skills and learn the great art of storytelling through theater camp. I can guarantee you, they will love it, jazz hands and all.
It was the first day of Spring and it was snowing in Mamaroneck….again. My husband keeps reminding me this is the northeast, NOT Oklahoma. And while my mind knows that (and is very thankful,) my body thinks it’s supposed to be 60 degrees outside. But alas, at least this time, I’m sitting in my own living room.
Yes, we were one of the families who lost their power for 9 days in the last nor’easter. A 150 year old tree in our next door neighbors’ yard came up from the roots and crashed into the power lines. That was Friday, March 2 at 2:30 PM. Our power went out and did not return until Saturday, March 10 at 4:00 PM.
When I was 25, I was performing on a Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ship that crashed in the Caribbean. We were stuck on the island of St. Maarten for 3 days before being able to fly back to the US with no water and no electricity. That was nothing compared to dragging two children from house to house for 9 days, making trips to the gas station 3 times a day to keep the generator filled (that we finally were able to buy on Tuesday so our basement didn’t flood,) packing, unpacking and repacking daily in a freezing cold house. Oh–and try to run a business and teach classes.
Well, the first Sunday after two nights away from home, I had to play Elsa at a Princess Party. You can imagine how happy I was about that. I was exhausted, sleep-deprived and annoyed. Being cheery and singing “Let It Go” was the LAST thing I wanted to do. And yet, that two hours, was some of the best of the whole week. The birthday girl was adorable and the family was so kind and wonderful. I was able to escape real life for a short time. I had no idea how badly I needed to do that.
As the week wore on and after crashing at four other houses, we finally ended up in a hotel. I just needed space and the ability to yell at my children if I needed to. (Moms–you know what I’m talking about.) I now had to prep for my performance workshops at the Courtyard Marriott. Again–teaching was not what I wanted to do. I had no energy, no focus, no creative juice left inside me. I wanted to cry because I what I REALLY wanted to do was GO HOME. At this point, there was no sign of when that would be happening. This was Friday and the last Con-Ed truck we had seen was on Monday.
My point in all of this is that throughout this ordeal, I was reminded of the importance of art and theater, in a crisis. By watching witnessing or being a part of something artistic, we are able to open ourselves up to another story and perhaps, put our situations in perspective. Art gives us hope, makes us think. And it’s just plain fun. It certainly helped me not to lose my mind completely as the displaced Capelles traveled around that cold and trying week. I think the next time this happens, I will book a hotel in the city and get tix to three Broadway shows. Now THAT would make me smile. Even with no power.
Continuing our season of auditions at Artistree, casting can be my most and least favorite part of producing a show. I love seeing what my students bring to the table–the choices they make, the performances that surprise me and the work they put into each and every role. But inevitably, there can only be one person in each part and because of that, disappointment is bound to ensue. And while disappointment is completely natural, how you deal with it can make or break your experience in a show.
I tell my students that if you are not happy with your part, you are allowed to put a picture of my face on your wall and throw darts or tomatoes at it for 24 hours. Feel your feelings–get mad, be sad and own what’s inside you. But after that, it’s time to take a breath, shake it off and be part of the ensemble. Thank your director for the part you did receive and if you are curious, ask what you could have done differently or what you could be working on. (This should come from the student, NOT the parent.) Be gracious and be open. Some of the most fun and certainly some of the most educational moments in my theater career took place when I was NOT the lead. But that’s because I was open to the experience before me. There is so much to be gained by being an active participant in the storytelling. Every single person in a show is like a puzzle piece. And just like when one piece of the puzzle is gone and you see a gaping hole, when one person isn’t fully invested in the play, you see the hole. So, actors–DON’T BE THE HOLE!
I find that another huge component of how my students deal with disappointment in casting is how parents react–especially in my younger students. Everyone wants to be Annie. But somebody has to be Sandy. If you, as a parent, dwell on what your child DIDN’T get, then that’s the attitude they will have. On the flip side, if you approach whatever role your child gets as an amazing opportunity to learn more about theater, have a BLAST and do what they love, then they’re more likely to “get over it” pretty quickly.
As I have said before, theater kids make the most resilient adults, because they learn to deal with this disappointment thing early on. And your help, as a parent, can help them figure it out even faster. And at the end of the day, if they are happy, then we’ve all done our jobs.
It’s audition season at Artistree! This is one of my favorite times of the year at the studio. It feels like a fresh start for everyone where we get to see the growth of our students and meet the new, enthusiastic faces who join us as well. No matter what role you had in the previous show, the slate is wiped clean for everyone. I always look forward to auditions because no matter what the show is, someone auditioning ALWAYS surprises me. Casting is one of my favorite parts of the job, but it can also be one of the most frustrating, when I see students not performing to their potential due to lack of preparation or knowledge.
Therefore, I wanted to give a few tips on how to knock it out of the park on ANY audition–whether it’s your school play, here at Artistree or in a professional setting.
#1. The audition starts the MOMENT you walk into the room.
The casting team behind that table makes a judgment about you the moment you walk into the room. So be your very best, but NATURAL self. Be YOU! (Though a smile and pleasant attitude goes a LONG way.) You might give the best read or sing your face off, but if YOU as a person don’t come across as someone easy to work with, I can guarantee you’ll get passed over for the role. No divas allowed!
#2. Success = OPPORTUNITY PLUS PREPARATION.
Be prepared, be prepared, be prepared. Don’t wait until the night before to start practicing your audition material. Do your research. Read the play. Know the soundtrack. Understand the characters. An overnight success in the business is rarely that. It’s a person who DOES THE WORK so when the opportunity presents itself, they are ready!
#3. Be nice to the pianist.
I know I’m a little biased on this one, but making the pianist your best friend is the smartest thing you can do. (Next to marrying one.) Be sure your binder of music looks clean and that your music is inside plastic sheet protectors. Make sure the music is in the RIGHT key and that where to start and stop are marked clearly. (Not everyone can transpose on sight like Peter Capelle.) And be nice. The person on those keys usually has as much a say in casting as anyone.
#4. Audition like the role is yours.
This audition may be the only chance you get to show the creative team what you’ve got. Don’t hold back. Give it everyone ounce of energy and excitement you have. Make them see that you’re the ONLY one they could give it to. Be confident and self-assured.
I can’t tell you how many auditions (hello–can we say dance calls?) I’ve faked my way through because my face was selling it the whole time. If they ask you to do something you know you’re not very good at, who CARES! Show them your personality and let your inner light shine. And if you make a mistake, so what? Most of time if you don’t let on that you messed up, they will NEVER know. OR–they’ll be so impressed with how you recovered that they’ll cast you anyway.
And when it’s all said and done, remember–auditioning is subjective. A different casting director might cast things completely differently. If you don’t get the part, it doesn’t mean you’re not talented. It means that this time, they went in another direction. Be grateful you got to explore a new character and then (in the words of my friend, Christian Duhumel,) move on.com. I can assure you, your time is coming.
Should I enroll my child in an acting class?
I get this from parents all the time: “should I enroll my child in an acting class?” Or “should my child do theater?” Being a proud theater nerd, my answer would ALWAYS be YES!! But the deep-seated knowing that I have about why theater is important might not resonate with everyone. (Just as your love of lacrosse is lost on me….) But after 30 years of performing and teaching, here is why I think you should enroll your child in an acting class.
Acting is just communicating. Speaking. Having a conversation. And don’t we all want our kids to be able to carry on an intelligible conversation? Better yet, don’t we want them to be able to stand up in front of a crowd and voice their opinion with ease and confidence? By teaching communication through the guise of “acting,” kids get to create characters, make-believe and become someone else. And sometimes that’s an easier way to get them to speak up.
Another reason to take an acting or theater class is that your theater friends are your best friends–most of the time for life. I don’t know if it’s the storytelling, the fact that you have to open up and be vulnerable when you perform or that some theater kids don’t feel like they fit in in the other areas of their life, but when they can be together, a bond is formed like nothing else. I had a mom tell me today that the only thing that motivates her daughter in school is the threat of taking away her Artistree Performance Workshop class. When she asked her why, she said, “it’s my home, my safe place and nobody judges me there.” That’s the power of theater, folks.
And lastly, taking an acting class and creating characters makes you a more empathetic human being. You learn to stand in someone else’s shoes and understand why they think the way they think, move the way they move, speak the way they speak, feel the way the feel. And in that process, you learn to better understand why they do the things they do. If we could all have that trait, we might have a more peaceful and palatable world.
Therefore, all children and politicians should take an acting class. And maybe some regular adults too. Either way, acting and performing help you to be your best self, hopefully on and off the stage. And isn’t that what we all want for our children?
How does a girl from a town of 100 people end up owning a performing arts studio in Westchester County, New York? Well, sometimes I wonder myself. My name is Heather Capelle and I’m the owner of Artistree Performing Arts in Mamaroneck. But I was born and raised a long way from here–in a little town with no stoplights and more cattle than people–Nash, Oklahoma. It was my grandparents that instilled a love of musical theater in me and created this strange little being who was singing the soundtrack to “Camelot” while driving a tractor. I always knew I was coming to New York and I always knew I wanted to perform. But I always felt different from everyone around me.
By the time I was 17, I’d sung for the President in an arena of 40,000 people. So, moving away from home didn’t scare me one bit. I moved to Florida to work for Disney with a job and a suitcase–no place to live and no way to get to work. But I knew I’d figure it out.
My first job in New York City (because I realized that $2K doesn’t last that long) was for Martin Charnin, the director and lyricist of the Broadway classic “Annie.” (Yes, he coined the phrase “the sun’ll come out tomorrow.”) No, I wasn’t performing–I was the assistant to the conductor for a production of Gershwin’s “Strike Up the Band” that he was directing. We rehearsed in the Columbia Artists building across from Carnegie Hall, so even though my job consisted of making copies and going to Starbucks, I thought I had MADE it. In the rehearsal process, he asked my very enthusiastic self where I was from and I told him the whole story. He looked at me and said “that’s a show.” And my one-woman show that ran for two years, Special Skills, was born and a dear friendship and mentorship was born.
When that job was over, I knew I needed another one. All my friends waited tables. Well, the thought of being a waitress in New York City was the most frightening concept I had ever envisioned. So, I decided to try something far less scary–teaching children musical theater.
Aside from farming, my father was teacher and my mother was a speech pathologist in the public schools. Therefore I was NEVER going to be a teacher. But when I saw my first cast of kids onstage having such success and SO much fun, I got a high that I don’t think I ever experienced performing myself.
I continued to teach for a company in NYC and eventually opened up a branch in Mamaroneck–where Artistree is today. We moved our family there, created a community and really made our lives in this “friendly village.” But when the owner wanted to shut down the studio, I knew the only thing I could do was convince her to sell it to me. Luckily she did. And Artistree was born.
Throughout my younger life, the only time I felt like “myself” was onstage. It wasn’t until I had graduated from college that I truly found my “people” and that sense of belonging. Friends who loved me just as I was–big hair, loud voice, lip gloss and all. So when we started to think about what we wanted Artistree to be, I knew immediately that it had to be more than a place that produced great performers. I wanted it to be the place where young artists could come and find their “people.” And when I hear them say that Artistree is their favorite place to be or that it’s their “home,” then I know I’ve done my job.
How different my life might have been had I found my people earlier. But then again, if I had, I might never have created Artistree.