Musical Theatre (35) - Random songs & Mics

Just prior to this lesson, Cameron set up four cbs microphones at the front of the stage on stands. We will not be using headset microphones (due to costs and our target to improve projection), but we are using these microphones to help amplify the sound we produce. We still have to project and can't be any quieter than what we have been - the mics are there just to help us. After running the first couple of numbers, we realised how we could improve our sound further - we then put a small stage block under each microphone stand to make the mics higher, and therefore closer to our head heights (rather than just reaching our knees) thus hopefully picking up more of our vocals. We have now also moved all of our solo numbers or duets down on to more of the apron, so the sound isn't lost in the wings - plus it means we are closer to the microphones. I appreciate that we want the music to be fairly loud to create the right atmosphere, but I believe it is more important for the vocals to be heard. We are all projecting as much as we can, and although the microphones have improved the volume issue, I still feel like we need to decrease the volume of the backing tracks slightly to ensure that cast members aren't straining to try and be heard (and potentially damaging their voices if the right technique isn't used and if they push too hard). Below are the numbers we ran today and what happened:

• "Seasons of Love":   Our positioning in this number was strong, as we made sure we utilised the space and were equal distances away from each other. However, our straight line was originally further back, but we have now moved it forwards so we are all closer to the microphones. This dramatically improved our sound.
• "Light My Candle":   Taylor and Henri have moved this number further forward as well now, meaning their sound now travels further. I really respect these two as they have worked so hard at this number and are projecting as much as they can. It is difficult to get the right balance between being loud enough that you are heard at the very back, but intimate enough for the song to work and make sense.
• "I'll Cover You":   This number sounded really good today as they both have been working on it outside of lessons. At times it is a little bit difficult to hear them both, but I personally thought the music was too loud anyway and could afford to come down slightly. However, I think that the volume issue can be solved by them turning out towards the audience slightly at roughly 45 degrees (rather than facing each other) - this would mean that their sound would travel outwards rather than travelling at each other and being lost.
• "One Song Glory":   Today was one of the best times Henri had ever sung this song. He projected as much as he could to be heard over the music, but yet again, I feel that the music was too loud for this song anyway. I think it would be better if the music was slightly quieter allowing the vocals to be heard clearly, rather than having loud music but quiet vocals. I respect Henri as he is projecting as much as he possibly can.
• "Rent":   The staging for this number went really well on the whole, but we think that the dance break needs to be cut (as it seems really out of place for a naturalistic and passionate number to have a random short dance in the middle). Instead, they could rip the posters off of the wall and throw them into their make-shift fire (i.e. the bin), as if they are trying to keep the fire ablaze and keep warm. We will discuss this next lesson. The other change for this number is that we shall all be on stage singing. Warren and Tyler will continue doing the blocking they have done before, whilst those of us who have been singing in the wings previously, shall now sing at the sides of the stage and just act what we sing. Also, we shall all sing the last line as otherwise it is an anti-climax - where we have all be singing together building an atmosphere, then it would just drop to two people singing and it would be quieter.
• "Take Me or Leave Me":   Alice and I now really enjoy doing this number, as we can use the space. We go down and move about through the audience. As we are both closer to the audience and are loud singers anyway (as we have both been trained, but more obviously because it is a song which requires a loud belt) it doesn't matter where we go in the space, thus meaning we can do what we think suits the number.
• "Without You":   We have now changed the blocking again for Taylor and Henri. We are now keeping them both on opposite sides as this works better with the microphones. The rest of this number was fine though. We all remembered when we had to enter and exit, plus we all acted throughout.
• "I'll Cover You (reprise)":   This was by far the best time Lewis had ever sung this number. He really got in to his character and his vocals were really strong. We all got the harmonies right and acted throughout.