By LeAnna Hamblin
Tony, Grammy, and Emmy winning singer, actress, and activist Audra McDonald shares her words of wisdom with Utah Valley University students in an intimate question and answer session as part of her concert series at the Noorda Performing Arts Center in Orem, Utah. The energy in the room was palpable as students across a range of art mediums eagerly awaited her advice on topics such as having confidence in your craft, handling all the busyness of an artistic life, auditions, and careers. Assistant Professor Amanda Crabb, M.M. facilitated the session and was very thoughtful in covering topics that were of concern to the students in attendance.
As the questions were presented to McDonald, she was very helpful in her responses. Knowing that many in the audience were gearing up for a performing career, McDonald was encouraging but forthright about the reality of a career in the arts. She recounted her own experience as a student at The Julliard School in New York City and how it was a complicated path. She fought with her instructors about the path they were making her take with her voice. She didn’t appreciate the classical training she was receiving, and she no longer liked the sound of her own voice. However, through this trial, McDonald was able to discover all her voice. She hadn’t realized until this time that, although beautifully crafted, she was only using half of her vocal ability, and that the operatic sound was part of her voice. This allowed McDonald to gain confidence in her ability.
McDonald is a mother, performer, activist, and wife. She, better than most, knows that it takes a village to accomplish all that she desires. She was given the advice many years ago that she doesn’t need to eat the whole loaf of bread at once. One slice at a time is enough. She emphasized that it is okay, and even necessary to ask for help. Making family a priority is important to her. In fact, the Q&A session started a few minutes late because she was on the phone with her husband, Will Swenson, discussing their three-year-old daughter who was running a fever. Anyone who has children knows that family must come first if we are to be successful. One important thing that some may forget is that it is okay to make mistakes. By allowing oneself to have fault, one learns.
The nature of a career in the performing arts makes it necessary to face the dreaded audition process. As a director, I have a perspective different than that of performers. But McDonald’s advice applies to both sides of the table. She advises that you enter the audition process with the mindset of there is a need to be filled. This allows the performer to take back her power and face the audition as a solution to a need. The people behind the table want you to succeed; they want you to be the solution. She also advises the students to think of auditions as their job. It’s not about landing the big role and then moving on. The audition process is the job. It’s what they do.
Many students, especially in this particular field of study, struggle with practical application of their craft. McDonald advises to “get onstage whenever you can.” As a young woman in New York City, McDonald discovered that there was the same talent and same pool of performers as there was in Fresno where she grew up. Talent is not biased because of geography. McDonald spent many years performing for AIDS patients who had been transferred from prison to a hospital to receive proper medical care. Through the charity organization Hearts and Voices, McDonald now had an honest audience who gave her the feedback she needed in order to progress in her career. It was an opportunity to perform and she wasn’t going to pass that up. Although luck and opportunity play a part in getting a performing arts career started, it’s through connections that those opportunities arise. McDonald performed in Summer Stock and connected with a friend who went on to work for a talent agency. As her friend saw audition notices coming through, she passed them along to McDonald. It was this connection that helped McDonald launch her career, all because she chose to perform.
When asked about the business side of performing, McDonald says word of mouth is everything. She advises the students to be professional, be on time, be respectful, advocate for yourself, don’t be a diva, and consider everyone to be important. This is a collaborative business and work begets work. McDonald states, “Be someone who’s wonderful to work with so people will want to work with you.” That advice is important across the spectrum of careers, especially today.
As a vocalist, McDonald advised students to throw everything at the wall and see what sticks. It is important for performers to find their own style and sound. A performer shouldn’t want to sound like someone else because that person is already in the world. It is important to find your complete voice. She emphasizes that the story is the most important part of a performance. McDonald is a master storyteller, weaving tales through her music and making connections to all aspects of her life. Every performance needs a “why.” Finding the journey of a character and giving him an arc allows the audience to connect to a performance. Without it, the audience is left unfulfilled.
McDonald is a wealth of knowledge. UVU students are privileged to have sat in her presence and absorb all she had to offer in the short time available. Through her wisdom and kind words, I know that many lives were improved, and career paths were forged. I hope that those who choose to follow a career in performing arts will look to McDonald as a mentor and aspire to be more like her while staying true to who they are. In her closing remarks, McDonald advises students to never say no to themselves and to not compromise their talent or who they are: advice we should all take to heart.
The Noorda Center for Performing Arts at UVU presents Audra McDonald Question and Answer session.
The Noorda Center for Performing Arts at UVU, 800 W University Parkway, Orem, Utah 84058
Q&A Session, Tuesday, October 8, 5:00 PM
Tickets: Free
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