A Star is Born

It is all very well to say that "genius" alone will sway an audience. That may be very true, but why put genius to a doubly hard test? Why handicap it by an unattractive appearance? The top ranking stars who have the strongest claim to genius spend infinite thought upon their apparel, while many beginners, [...]

An artist’s entrance manner reflects his personality. There are singers, both men and women, who stride on crossing a long stage in a very few steps. They slam themselves into position before the piano and, nodding vigorously in the general direction of the pianist, go to work at singing at once as if to say, [...]

Although standing posture may be understood, the average person reverts to type when walking. The head pushes forward, the body curves, the shoulders arrive first, the hips and the legs last. This curved effect is unattractive, and when the singer walks out onto the stage any smart effect of clothing or figure is spoiled. This [...]

In an effort to secure a dramatic effect, many young actors tend to tie themselves up in agonizing knots. Realism is all very well, but strain, rigidity, and tenseness detract from the singer’s ability either to act or sing. The greatest actors are not those who feel the emotions of the character they are playing [...]

One of the oddities of stage fright is that it usually induces students who sing beautifully in the studio to revert to their old, incorrect habits of singing directly they perform away from the studio. Nor is this true merely of beginners. On the contrary, the more experienced a singer has been before he adopts [...]

And now let’s presume that the young artist has passed his audition and has obtained his first important public appearance. As he steps upon the stage there is an appreciative murmur from the audience, or perhaps there is an instant of hushed, anticipatory silence; in either case, in this brief moment a definite reaction has [...]

(Note: This article was produced before the internet age. Today online venues would most likley be the easiest most cost effective means of promotion)
A young artist must realize that the amount of space given to stars and almost-stars in the papers is not always commensurate with the stars’ popularity, but with the news value of [...]

There are, of course, unscrupulous people in the business who will contract to manage anyone, worthwhile or not, if that person has plenty of money. But such agents seldom last, as their word does not carry any weight after they fail to keep faith with other managers and the public. Although the manager must serve [...]

The beginner is often called upon to give an audition for church work. This calls for some type of solo that the church requires, and the singer should impress his auditors with his ability to read at sight. Many churches allow for only one or two rehearsals on any composition to be performed, and the [...]

When we eventually come to that momentous day when the student is assured by his teacher, as well as his friends, that he is justified in seeking professional engagements. He goes forth to find them. The first hurdle he faces—and one which he will repeatedly have to face throughout his career—is the audition. Few persons [...]