Learning musical theatre as an adult

Have you always wanted to sing ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ as heart wrenchingly as Patti Lupone? Or tackle ‘Defying Gravity’ with the impressive dynamics of Idina Menzel? Or, maybe, you want to confidently perform songs from musicals like ‘Hamilton’ or ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ for a more contemporary take on musical theatre? Whatever your aims, musical theatre lessons for adults will help you explore different styles and turn you into the prolific, confident and engaging performer you’ve always wanted to be! Here’s how…

Why Musical Theatre Lessons for Adults Are So Important…

Many young children are often encouraged to pursue musical theatre, since it helps them to come out of their shell and become more confident in all areas of life. No matter if they choose to do it as a hobby or, potentially, make it their career later on, there are so many benefits to learning musical theatre. Whether or not you did it as a child, the same benefits still apply when you’re learning as an adult! Musical theatre develops your posture, your stamina, musicality and collaboration skills. It teaches discipline, it’s a powerful team building activity and it brings out your versatility as a performer.

Musical theatre also brings out your empathy and improves communication skills. As a performer, you need to be able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and see things from their point of view. This is a vital skill to have in all areas of life. Not to mention, any creative activity also boosts your problem-solving skills and improves overall cognitive function. So, if you’ve decided to take musical theatre singing lessons for adults, you may wind up with more benefits than you bargained for!

Get Started with Learning Musical Theatre

Many students who embark on singing lessons for adults assume that you need to have a voice like Susan Boyle to learn musical theatre, but that simply isn’t the case. Firstly, to achieve a voice like that takes years of practice and it can absolutely be learned. Secondly, more operatic-sounding ballads are just one side of musical theatre. It embodies so many different styles of singing, including rap, rock and even jazz. So, depending on your natural tone and range, your vocal coach will help you identify songs that suit you. Each of us have a unique tone that should be celebrated, and, with the right approach, you will start singing musical theatre in no time.

Build Your Confidence

Of course, you can’t truly become a musical theatre performer, without building your confidence on stage! Naturally, you may feel apprehensive if you’ve just started musical theatre singing lessons for adults, but it’s important you begin developing that confidence early on. Start by simply recording yourself and performing in front of the mirror! Don’t feel discouraged if your initial performances fall a bit ‘flat’. No one is there to judge you and it’s important you take this time to analyse your recordings and see how you can improve. Then, when you feel comfortable, why not join a local amateur theatre group or even attend a few open mic nights. Getting yourself out there, on stage, is the best way to gradually build up that confidence you need for bigger theatre productions!

Work on Your Acting Skills

Being a great actor is a big part of learning musical theatre as an adult, so think of ways to develop your acting skills alongside singing. Here are a few pointers:

• Work on your voice – the way you project, articulate and enunciate will make a big difference in the way you convey your story to the audience. You will also learn this as part of your musical theatre lessons.
• Movement – you don’t want to be standing still (unless the role requires you to). Your body language and the way you gesticulate is just as important for communicating with your audience as speaking or singing.
• Read and write – reading will give you so much insight into different characters and roles. Reading anything from books to plays will broaden your vocabulary and make you a more versatile performer. Writing, on the other hand, can help you better understand your own thoughts and develop your voice. Commit to journaling for just 10 minutes a day and you might be surprised to find what you come out with. It doesn’t have to be structured, just getting thoughts on a paper will help you find your inner voice.
• Observe – although performers enjoy their spotlight, a crucial step to becoming a better actor is to observe and listen. This will give you a greater insight into human emotion and how they convey it through speech and body language.

Develop A Routine and Stay Patient

No matter if you’re learning musical theatre or any other styles of singing, or another skill, a solid practice routine will be at the heart of your progress. Ensure you allocate at least 30 minutes of practice each day. Regular, shorter bursts of singing will be much more effective than having just one or two longer sessions per week. Make sure you practice in a space that you feel comfortable in and track your progress to congratulate yourself for how far you’ve come. A good stamina is important for every musical theatre performer, so try to develop some healthy habits like getting plenty of sleep, staying hydrated, eating healthily and getting a bit of exercise. All of these things will help boost your stamina and allow your voice to always perform at its best!

Have You Always Wanted to Take Musical Theatre Lessons?

Quality vocal tuition can do wonders for your singing progress! At London Singing Institute we specialise in singing lessons for adults, and we understand the challenges of learning musical theatre as an adult. We are here to help you find your unique voice through the amazing art of theatre. You will learn incredible singing techniques, build your stamina and grow your confidence as a performer! Whether you choose to learn in our stunning central London premises or online, from the comfort of your own home, you will experience a judgment-free, nurturing and motivating environment. We are here to help you achieve your best, so contact us today to find out more!