Okay, a possibly stupid question here, folks...

What do you think the odds are of making it on Broadway if one doesn't have great singing skills. My voice is very, very average.

How much do voice lessons improve the quality of your voice/singing skills, if at all?

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't make it in musical theatre, but singing isn't a factor in plays...do actors performing in regular, non-musical plays have to have backgrounds in singing/dancing? I do dance (a little), but can't sing up to a necessary standard.

Does one have a chance on Broadway if they aren't a "triple threat" by going with the non-musical, dramatic or comedic play route?

Any feedback is appreciated. I realize this question might sound stupid and/or ridiculous...but I had to get it off my chest!

Cheers and thanks in advance!
edited to add-Don't worry, I'm not thinking about Broadway yet, as I'm fairly new to this...I just wanted to know.

As you may guess from my name, I am a "singah." I'm also a voice teacher, so I'm a little prejudiced, but as far as I've experienced in a thirty year career (on Broadway and in regional theater, film, commercials, etc.) the more skills you have, the more powerful and marketable you are as an actor. On Broadway we used to have singers and dancers. Now everyone has to be a quadruple threat! Sing, dance, act AND play a musical instrument! Your question is not stupid. As a new actor you will want to learn and grow in every way you can. Very very average voices, especially young ones can be trained to be healthy, strong, and beautiful, so don't give up before you try.

Thanks for the reply,

quote:

Very very average voices, especially young ones can be trained to be healthy, strong, and beautiful, so don't give up before you try.

It was encouraging!

quote:

O Does one have a chance on Broadway if they aren't a "triple threat" by going with the non-musical, dramatic or comedic play route?

There are people who act on Broadway who are not singers and dancers. I think people who tend to make a living on Broadway are the stars and the chorus/dancing gypsies who shift from show to show. For an actor who isn't huge into musicals, regional theatre, Off-Broadway, film & television...all of that is where you make your money as well. There are less straight plays on Broadway than musicals so if you feel you're not really a musical theatre actor, then you'll probably never regularly work on Broadway. By that, I mean it's really hard to drift from one show to the next since casts tend to be smaller and there are fewer plays.

I don't think voice-lessons would hurt. Even if you just have an average singing voice, training it musically will help with your speech and give you a nice little bonus skill set. Broadway still represents sort of the highest ring when it comes to venues, but that doesn't mean it's the only place that does quality work.

I remember that at the Tony Awards this year, when Deanna Dunagan won her award, she said that she had spent twenty five years in regional theatre and that last year she watched the awards at home. August: Osage County was her Broadway debut! There's lots of venues out there if you wanna act.

quote:

Originally posted by lhm229:
Okay, a possibly stupid question here, folks...

What do you think the odds are of making it on Broadway if one doesn't have great singing skills. My voice is very, very average

If your legit theater skills are strong, your odds are as good as any other actor.

Although wearing many hats is always a "plus" on the Great White Way, even actors like Rex Harrison made box office history with minimal singing skills. But as always, it's what your specific acting goals are.

Did Lawrence Olivier make history belting out, "There is nothing like a dame"?

“Whatever works.”

www.robertkim.com
Check out my all-new ”Before & Afters”
www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/

Thanks everyone for your replies. This board is really helpful...cheers!