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Annual Cabaret Features Third-Year Drama Students By MARY-MITCHELL CAMPBELL
It has been a hard winter. But there is good news. The arrival of spring brings with it not only the promise of balmier weather, but also the Drama Division's annual cabaret by its third-year students. This is my first year in the Juilliard community—and, as such, my baptism as music director at this annual event, something to which I have been looking forward with great anticipation since I started work here in the fall. Over the years I have had the good fortune to work with many amazing performers—but this represents, for me, a completely new experience. Serving as music director for a cabaret with drama students who are, by and large, terrified of singing in public is a new and thoroughly enjoyable challenge. The energy all the students have for the project is infectious and refreshing, and very possibly would not be as intense if they were regularly performing in this type of venue.
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Serving as music director for a cabaret with drama students who are terrified of singing in public is a thoroughly enjoyable challenge.
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The foremost reason for the cabaret's continuing success is the very reason I came to Juilliard: the event's director, Deb Lapidus. A true musical force who manages to put even the most anxious student at ease, she inspires everyone she interacts with to strive for their personal best. She is quite simply the best singing teacher with whom I have had the honor to work. As music director, I am collaborating with Deb to create an evening of entertainment that will feature different types of music.Choosing material for the performers is one of the most difficult aspects of putting this evening together. "I pick material usually working from the actor first—material that suits the actor and can make him or her shine," says Deb. "Sometimes I'll find a song I am interested in working on, and then try and find the people who can bring it to life. I look for songs that have interesting text … that are more story-driven or character-driven. If the material isn't written for a dramatic context, then the actor has to find a way to make one."The students seem excited by this break from their more usual focus of working on plays. Nick Mennell, a third-year drama student, explains, "Cabaret is one of the most highly anticipated shows of the year. It is a chance for Juilliard actors to shine in a way they are not accustomed to being seen."The cabaret comes at the conclusion of an intense, monthlong rehearsal process that begins as we teach the students the music they will be performing. First, they are given tapes to help them get acquainted with their music. We then work with each performer to find an appropriate key for their voice, and play with the arrangements of the songs to achieve the best fit with each performer and their acting choices. Group numbers and harmonies are drilled, fundamentals like cut-offs and blend emphasized, and individual vocal styles cultivated. We work on the acting of the song as well—whom they are talking to, where they are, what circumstances exist around them—to ground the actor in the world of the song.
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A Musical Evening of Cabaret
West Bank Café
407 West 42nd Street
Thursday-Saturday, March 25-27
For time and ticket information, please see
the calendar.
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People might wonder why it is useful for drama students to be spending so much time working on their singing. But with the Broadway musical theater's increasing demand for trained actors capable of deeply textured dramatic performances, this kind of training is invaluable for all actors. Just recently, I acted as music director for a new work by Polly Pen in Philadelphia. The lead in that show? A young woman who had just graduated from an acting conservatory and had never sung professionally.Juilliard's cabaret started years ago as a continuation of the work being done in singing class, an opportunity for students to demonstrate their progress to the department. In its first years, it was held in a classroom, but over time, it has grown into an institution in more public venues in the city. This year's cabaret is at the West Bank Café, a lovely space in midtown that regularly features the work of professional cabaret performers. Students really enjoy getting away from Juilliard performance spaces, and it is very liberating and stimulating for them to perform in such an exciting location.A great deal of effort and enthusiasm is going into preparations for this year's Third-Year Cabaret. It is my privilege to work with these dynamic, talented students in creating what will be a fun evening of music and drama—and I invite you to join us!Mary-Mitchell Campbell joined the Drama Division faculty this year as musical coach.
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