Imagine you are gearing up for a huge audition. Like most budding broadway belters in NYC you share your apartment with a roommate, or maybe you even share a room. You get ready at HOLY HECK o'clock in the morning, pack up your bag with every shoe you might ever need (tap, jazz, ballet, character etc), your audition book, your make up/hair products, headshots, resume, blah blah blah. You had a lesson with your vocal coach the day before and you have never felt more prepared. BUT you can't warm up in your apartment because your roommate is sleeping and he/she will kill you. You can't warm up when you get to the audition space because the other actors will instantly put you on their list of actors that they want to punch. So, before you leave your apartment, you step into the bathroom with a pillow and literally burry your face in your pillow and give your vocal warm up your best attempt. You are trying to get a sense of where your voice is at this morning, trying to make sure that you are in your best, tip top shape, but it's real hard with a dang pillow over your mouth.
I lived through this more days than not when I first moved to NYC. It is so awkward and it can be a real problem. One time I even tipped a guy at a parking lot who let me go into the back of the lot to warm up. (I admit, that was a little crazy) Eventually, I found a few really great rehearsal studios where you could rent a room for about $6 for 15 min. It was totally worth it. But, there wasn't always a room available and there wasn't always time to go to another studio to warm up before your audition slot.
Today's post might surprise you. It is about a new tool that you wear ON YOUR FACE. I was recently introduced to this new product called the BELT BOX. It solves a problem that isn't all that big out here in California (because we usually drive ourselves to auditions), but in NYC the problem is huge. Check it out…
[leadplayer_vid id=”530E7532AA3DA”]
Ok – I'm so torn about this product. I can't decide if it's brilliant or ridiculous. Now, I haven't actually used it, but I can't stop laughing when I watch the video. I know that some of the most insane ideas are actually some of the best, especially when it comes to ideas that solve a real problem.
So, what do you think!? Would you use a product like this? I have a few students who are younger and refuse to warm up in front of their parents or siblings. We spend loads of time talking about you just have to work past that initial embarrassment and go for it, but maybe this would help? Or, if you are one of those students, is this totally insane and would you run the other way?
I might just order one out of curiosity so I can give you a full review. What do you think? Should I do it?
Let me know your thoughts in the comment space below.
And, in the mean time, grab the nearest pillow, or just stop worrying about how awesomely loud you are and Belt ON!
