Two strangers meet; one sits at a table, the other stands in front of them and gets down to the act of being emotionally naked. The one behind the table may smile, ask questions or in some cases, say a polite “thank you” and look away. The one who has borne their soul smiles and leaves and someone else comes before the seated person to do the exact same thing. These brief encounters go on for hours, days, and months all in the hopes of making matches that will lead to love, lust and laughter. For many of you this may sound like New York’s latest speed dating trend, but in truth it is the joy (and sometimes pain) of the operatic audition process. But after thinking about it, I realized that the opera audition and the speed dating experience were parallel entities.
I must thank stage director Dean Anthony (with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with on various occasions) for the inspiration for this post. Along with composer Michael Ching, Anthony has crafted a piece called Speed Dating Tonight, which shines a light on the quirky, joyful and horrible stories of the world of speed dating in a fast and fun operatic treatment. Much like the participants in the opera (and those who speed date in real life), opera singers who go through the audition process can have all sorts of experiences. So in an effort to maximize the audition/speed dating experience, here are a few helpful hints on making this upcoming audition season more successful and filled with potential matches.
What we wear is the first impression. The opera world is just as visual as it is aural, so our first impression is essential. I have found that wearing a suit (well-tailored, with an updated fit), stylish, well-polished shoes and a pressed shirt are an optimal look for me. It’s put together, relaxed and current. Some may ask: If you sing well, why does the clothing really matter? Because the people with whom we are meeting (or going on a second, or possibly third "date”) are humans and respond to people who are attractive. Studies have repeatedly shown that attractive people get treated better than unattractive people so we have to assume that the great looking, 6’3” baritone in a well-tailored suit who is in great shape is going to have a better shot at the role over, let’s say, a shlumpy 5’6” guy who is wearing a wrinkled shirt, baggy pants and an ill-fitting jacket.
Another key element of the speed dating process is who is sitting across the table staring back at you. If you are a Brooklyn hipster looking meet a few lovelies, you’re probably not going to go to an event in the Bronx (although you might, just to appear “ironic.”) People tend to be attracted to people they want to hang out with, find funny, are moved by their artistry etc…there are just as many tastes in opera as there are tastes in the dating world. Many companies have very specific ideas of what they like (and don’t like) so it’s smart for someone who may want to get “into bed” with a particular company to research who is singing there. Do they hire a specific body type repeatedly? Do they hire young singers right out of major young artist programs? Does their roster look like a United Colors of Benetton ad? Do they often perform that specialized repertoire that you are great at singing? Opera is a beautifully subjective art-form and singer A can sing for 5 different houses and each may have a unique take on them. Some will love them; some may like them; while some may just not “get” what that artist has to say. We can often take the rejection very personally and want to sing for someone over and over to “prove” to them that we are exactly what they want. However, a wonderful tenor colleague compared it to going to a bar and trying to get someone that’s not interested in us to be interested. Focus on those who seem to like us back. That’s where a true match can be made.
Finally, I must constantly remind myself that the more honest I am about who I am vocally, dramatically and artistically, the better the “daters” will see the real me. Like in the speed dating world, we only have a few minutes to make an impression in the hopes of “being picked,” but no matter how great (or what we may think poorly) we sing, much of it boils down to attraction. Are they attracted to our talent? Can they see us on the stage in a particular role? Are we someone they want to get to know? Are we the kind of singer they are looking to “date?” Of course, we can’t go into every audition knowing if someone will like us, but I find that by being myself as opposed to what I think they want, works out much better.
Many of my colleagues don’t like the audition process because it is a strange beast: we have to come warmed up and ready to go, you are surrounded by all the other (smiling?) people vying for the few jobs that are available, and you have to bare so much of yourself all the while balancing being a great artist and a humble personality (if that’s what they are looking for.) But like dating, you won’t click with everyone. They are great, you are great, but together, you are just “eh.” However, every so often, you meet that company that gets what you do, you get what they do, and together you make hot, beautiful opera. And for me, that’s what keeps me going!
Peace,
Eric
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