Play Christine Daaé in Phantom of the Opera
Template:StubChristine is a lovely soprano from Andrew Lloyd Webber's, The Phantom of the Opera. If you ever dreamed of playing the role of the leading female protagonist, this will help you achieve your dream.
Steps
- Study. No amount of natural ability - or wanting a role - will get you cast in anything. Without the proper training - voice, acting, and ballet, you will not be prepared for the workload of this - or any other Broadway - role.
Assess yourself realistically. Christine has a "look." Do you fall into it? No matter how talented you are, if you don't "fit the dress," you will not be cast. While there are very occasional exceptions, Christine is usually around 5'5/5'6 - she must be shorter than the Phantom and Raoul - and has a slender build. Remember, she is a member of the corps de ballet and must look believably like a ballerina. - First of all, you shouldn't think like the character. People say "think like the character to play it right" no! Be the character.
- Research about Christine first. Study about her life, her reaction to everything that's happened.
- Read the book by Gaston Leroux. It will give you a good insight on how to act like Christine. It will also help you to get in the character.
- In the book, Christine is a soprano - an opera singer. BUT you don't have to sound operatic since Phantom of the Opera is a musical not an opera. Being able to hit those high notes with your head voice is enough.
- Christine only uses the head voice and sometimes her chest voice when hitting low notes. Most sopranos will have a hard time hitting the low ones, so vocal range expansion exercises are recommended.
- You must at least have a vocal range that extends to a high E flat or an E6. That is the last note of the title song and it takes so much effort to reach it. Don't worry though! You could always pre-record that number so that you won't strain your voice.
- Sierra Boggess (a stage actress who played the role many times and originated the role in Love Never Dies) said that during her audition, she was not told to sing the high E flat, only the Soprano C. But it is definitely a must to be able to sing that high E flat once you pre-record the title song. Actresses who played Christine rarely sing the note live.
- Act while singing. If you're doing this onstage, you should be complex and a bit exaggerated. You should express your emotions efficiently since you are performing for a large audience or so.
- Open your mouth! It helps releasing your voice and lessens the "strained look" on your face.
- You should have either a pretty face or a youthful and yet matured one.
- You should know how to communicate. You should learn how to communicate with the audience. A good spirited Christine is an excellent Christine overall. Make the audience love you.
- You should know how to flirt. Flirt with the audience seductively! You should know how to project sexiness and hotness. This is needed when you perform Point Of No Return.
- Be cheerful. Brighten up the stage with simply your wonderful aura. It is pleasant to look at.
- Just have fun and be as presentable as you can be!
Tips
- Drink water a lot! Helps moisten up the throat making the passageway for your voice a lot easier and wider.
- Warm up your vocal chords with vocal exercises before singing. It helps you exercise your vocal cords, making the song easier to sing the next time.
- Keep trying to hit those high notes. But don't strain your vocal chords. Have a vocal coach teach you the right way to sing without hurting yourself and do irreparable damage.
- Find a voice teacher to help you.
Warnings
- If you're getting uncomfortable hitting the high note, take a break first.
- Don't strain your voice!
- Avoid the Casting Couch
- Don't drink any dairy or eat anything with dairy in it because it produces form and makes it harder to sing long notes.
- Do not drink cold water! It messes up your voice and makes some cracks when you sing. It could also be trouble when it affects your vocal capabilities.
