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Everything You Wanted To Know But Were Afraid to Ask | Archives "Seth is amazing. He transposed my music down a minor third on sight during our rehearsal!" --Amanda Bailey "Seth helped me completely revamp my book, and boosted my confidence level in the process; and performing in Seth's showcase was a painless, pleasant, all around fun time. Plus, my friends really enjoyed the witty banter." --Dennis M. Fowler 
"Seth's showcase was a fabulous opportunity for me get my feet wet in the cabaret scene and try some new material!" –-Valerie Williams "I really enjoy participating in Seth's Showcases. Not only do you get a chance to work at a quality venue, but it is a rare joy that you get to sing a WHOLE song--never mind two, plus patter. Seth's ability to make last minute changes on the spot is reassuring, and you know no matter what he is with you up there. My friends, family, and colleagues all have had a wonderful time attending." --Stephanie Rosenberg Upcoming showcases: 
Showcases will return Tuesdays in October and November, 2008 after Writer's Block concludes. Are you sick of not being able to perform? Are you tired of showcases where you have to bring a dozen people AND pay the pianist? Well look no further... introducing... SETH'S TALENT SHOWCASE 
When & Where: Select Tuesdays at Don't Tell Mama How much: Bring SIX friends/ enemies to support you, and pay NOTHING What you get: 20 minutes/ coaching rehearsal time (can hire privately if more is desired) 10 minutes (2 songs + patter) performing time Opportunity to comp agents/ industry. Opportunity to invite all those friends you have who have yet to see you perform in anything! The joy of performing! Plus... a clever emcee and accomplished accompanist! Spots go quickly. Please email seth@sethbh.com if interested. EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE TALENT SHOWCASE... but were afraid to ask... 
What follows is a cohesive, detailed description and analysis of everything involved in doing a Seth's Talent Showcase. You will be quizzed afterwards. (Just kidding. This isn't a classroom.) WHAT IS A SHOWCASE? A showcase is an evening where you get to perform in a 10 minute set. Usually 5-6 people are performing in an evening; each brings part of the audience, so there usually is a full house. It is good for getting your feet wet in the cabaret world. It is also great for people who never get to perform in the city for their friends here. Or people who haven't performed in awhile to get a reminder of WHY they're in this crazy business we call show. It is also good for workshopping a full-length cabaret in pieces. WHAT MAKES SETH's TALENT SHOWCASE SPECIAL? Unlike many showcases, you only have to bring SIX people. That's right -- SIX people. Most are 10-12. ALSO, in most showcases you have to PAY the PIANIST b/c the producer keeps the $$. However, since I am the producer and the pianist, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY ME. You only bring SIX PEOPLE. That's it. You get the chance to perform, and 20 minutes the day of at the tech to rehearse for ZERO DOLLARS if you get SIX PEOPLE to come. Another great thing about the showcase is that I EMCEE it. I ask everyone for quirky fun facts (more on that later), and open and close the show to relieve the pressure of warming up the crowd and leaving them on a bang. I can also be used in patter to create comical banter, etc... HOW DOES THE BRINGING SIX PEOPLE WORK EXACTLY? I have a box office person to check in your six people. They reserve via Don't Tell Mama, like any normal show there. When they arrive, the box office person gives them a program, and checks them off on the list by your name. At the end of the show, the list is given to me. If you didn't have 6 people, you have to pay the difference -- so if you get 1 person to come, you owe me $50, 3, you owe me $30, etc. If you have 6 or more, you pay NOTHING. WHAT IS THE PRICE? $10 + 2 drink minimum. Same for any normal show. (Though some showcases are $12 or $15.) If they get water or juice, that's the cheapest -- $5/ each. It is CASH ONLY. So please make your friends aware of that. WHEN DO I HAVE TO CONFIRM BY? FOUR weeks before. If you cancel after the 4 week period, you either have to: 1. Find someone to take your place who will be accountable for the audience members/ $60 OR 2. PAY ME $60, and I will fill in the slot w/ someone who has done a showcase before, who will not have to worry about bringing an audience on such short notice. If you do not pay me the $60 or find a replacement, you will be blacklisted from the showcases, and if you run into me at an audition for a Broadway show beware (DUM, DUM!). I will send out an email 4 week before the show asking for fun facts and song choices, etc. WHAT SHOULD I SING? I am happy to create the set for you in a private session, or recommend songs in a repertoire coaching session. However, if you are self-sufficient, that is also cool. I HIGHLY suggest that people do song sets. The two songs should contrast and complement each other, while coming together to form some sort of theme or story... Some previous choices: "Isn't This Better" into "Bring on the Men" --> Soft, sad ballad about breaking up into a fun, fierce uptempo about sleeping around as a consequence. "Times Like This" into "A Trip to the Library" --> Contemplative, comic ballad about being alone and loving one's dog into uptempo about finding true love at the library. WHAT IS PATTER? Patter ties the songs together. I ask that everyone come up with some patter b/c this makes the set more like a story. I have confirmed from many audience members, that this makes the audience enjoy the show more, feel more connected to the performer, etc. Otherwise it becomes more of a recital, and less like a cabaret or theatre, in general. The point of performing is to tell a story, and get the audience to connect and emote. Good patter is succinct, but cute and funny. It is important to be YOURSELF -- to show your personality. I am happy to coach patter, as well as songs. Thus, the patter connects the songs, shows the theme w/o overtly saying it, and also could include a funny anecdote or two. Playing to the audience is key b/c it's an intimate space. Treating the audience like your best friends is great, b/c then they'll feel connected and moved, etc. You only patter in between the songs. QUIRKY FUN FACTS I ask for quirky fun facts from all my participants for their introduction... Examples are as follows: Our next performer: has an odd fear of letting go of helium balloons loves to watch Spongebob Squarepants AND no one has ever seen her real hair color since she was 9 Please welcome........ The fun facts make for a very casual, relaxing ambiance. It also gives the audience more chances to laugh and enjoy themselves. I ask for 5-6, and I'll pick the funniest 3, and riff a little as well... TECH REHEARSAL TECH rehearsal is generally the day of the show, 4:30-6:30. We run the show at least twice -- we can redo numbers at the end if there's time, which there usually is. It is important to use levels for your set -- it's better to not do the same position for songs twice in a row -- there's a stool, there's a piano -- there are different areas of the stage -- it is fine to move around during an uptempo, but remember you're going to have to watch out for the mic cord, all of these issues will be addressed at tech. We'll also run through the bow -- it's very easy. I thank people before I do my last song. I do the last song -- everyone comes back out; I announce your name, one at a time, then my name. Group bow... and OFF! And while I'm at the off point, it is imperative that you LEAVE THE ROOM after the show and not stay talking to your guests, so they'll pay and leave faster. DO NOT STAY IN THE ROOM AFTER THE SHOW. WHAT TO WEAR Dress nice, but not super nice. Don't be in jeans, but you don't have to wear a prom dress, either. Overall be comfortable... and you can never go wrong w/ cleavage! (Unless you're male.) AGENTS? Please invite everyone you know, but also feel free to invite agents and casting directors. INDUSTRY people do NOT have to pay cover OR have drinks. If they DO have drinks, they have to pay for them, but there is no minimum for industry folk. (You can make the choice to pay for your own industry person's drinks.) Just put their names on the industry list at the tech. I only use performers that I know or know people I know who can vouch for them, so the quality of the showcases are very good. Which is actually another difference from some showcases... BINDER READY MUSIC At the tech, PLEASE have your music BINDER READY -- that is DOUBLE sided, HOLE punched. Or in sleeves. I just want to be able to PLOP them in my binder. Copies for me are appreciated, but I will return the music if you don't have time to make a copy. PRIVATE COACHINGS If you feel like having only 20 minutes the day of the show is frazzled and harried, I am always available for private coachings at my normal rate. I am happy to coach the songs, coach the patter, find material, and of course run through the songs as many times as you like... GREAT RESPONSES Like I've mentioned, the showcases have gotten great responses from participants AND audience. The booking director at Don't Tell Mama frequently comes to them, and says they are quite enjoyable. He also remarked on the incredible talent level. So, in conclusion, I think that Seth's Talent Showcase is a win-win-win situation for everyone involved. PREPARATION As Benjamin Franklin once said: "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." Please pick your songs before the week of. Please learn your lyrics well enough that you don't go up on them. It is embarrassing to you, and to me if you do. So if you need more rehearsal, please don't be cheap and hire me for a private session. Finally, to avoid owing me money, you should make sure you have 6 people coming -- that means you should try to confirm 12 b/c 50% flake! And if 12 come, then you get on my "can bring 12 people; I love them" list. Start marketing the show NOW. Do not wait to the week before. QUESTIONS? Please don't hesitate to ask. Wednesday, August 20nd, at 9PM CAITLIN DUFFY JOHN HAGER HILARY LEICHTER ED MISKIE JESSICA MARASCO JONATHAN SPIVEY Tuesday, July 29th, at 7PM NATHAN JONES LAUREN LINDSEY AMY PIERCE HEATHER REFVEM CHRISTINA SULLIVAN MALLORY TAYLOR Tuesday, July 22nd, at 7PM MELANIE BROOK MATTHEW FRAZIER JAKE GLASSMAN MAGGIE GLASSMAN DREW TORKELSON TAL YARDENI Sunday, July 20th, at 6PM VINNY BOVE HEATHER SILER Tuesday, July 15th, at 7PM KERRI ALLEN CHRISTI AVANT LEIGH CAMBRE CHRISTINA CATALDO DANIELLE FAITELSON LAUREN HENNESSY REANNA MUSKOVITZ Friday, July 11th, at 9PM SABRINA GARCIA BETHANY GERAGHTY KATE ERIN GIBSON RJ LIVINGSTON REANNA MUSKOVITZ VANESSA WENDT Tuesday, July 8th, at 7PM DENNIS FOWLER ED MISKIE JENNIFER SAPUTO Monday, June 23rd, at 9PM JOHN, DANIELE & ROBERT HAGER TERESA HUI REJINALD WOODS Wednesday, June 18th, at 7PM ASHLEY ADLER JENNIFER GREENE MIKE HARRISON MELANIE KAISER SASHA SLOAN WHITNEY SPEARS Tuesday, June 10th, at 7PM MORGAN PAIGE FLUSS TIMOTHY HUGHES IAN MCANDREW ED MISKIE BRIEL POMERANTZ HEATHER REFVEM Tuesday, June 3rd, at 7PM STEPHANIE ROSENBERG MICHAEL SANTORA Tuesday, May 27th, at 7PM NICK ANASTASIA GRACE BERNICKER JESSICA MARASCO Monday, May 19th, at 9PM ASHLEY ADLER REBEKAH BAYLES VINNY BOVE ADRIENNE DEEKMAN MAGGIE GLASSMAN KIYO TAKAMI Tuesday, May 6th, at 7PM ELYSE BEYER ELSA HARCHICK JUSTIN JONES JENNIFER SAPUTO LAUREN SAVITZ SHUO ZHANG Tuesday, April 22nd, at 7PM SABRINA GARCIA MELISSA LYONS ED MISKIE JILL RENSING STEPHANIE SEWARD HEATHER SILER Tuesday, March 25th, at 7PM JEN BECHTER ELYSE BEYER VINNY BOVE NICOLE ROY ANNA MARIE SELL JACKIE WASHAM Tuesday, March 18th, at 7PM MEG CAVANAUGH CASSANDRA COOKE GISELLE D’SOUZA IAN MCANDREW STEPHANIE SEWARD STEPHANIE WILBERDING Tuesday, March 11th, at 7PM ALEXANDER GONZALES MERRILL GRANT NICOLE PATRICK JENNIFER SAPUTO CARA SAMANTHA SCHERKER HEATHER SILER Tuesday, February 26th, at 7PM GRACE BERNICKER AMANDA CONLON STEVE PARMENTER JILL RENSING ELLA MOURIA SEET JOSHUA WHITWELL Wednesday, February 13th, at 7PM NICK ANASTASIA REBECCA CESARIO JESSICA MARASCO CHRISTINE NOLAN STEPHANIE ROSENBERG JACLYN SIZEMORE Tuesday, January 29th, at 7PM DENNIS FOWLER JEAN ANN GARRISH ELSA HARCHICK JOE IOZZI EDWARD MISKIE JILLIAN SCHOCHET DEBORAH ZECHER Tuesday, January 15, 2008, at 7PM MICHELLE DUPRE RORI NOGEE JONATHAN SPIVEY KRISTEN VARVARIS REJINALD WOODS ABIGAIL ZIAJA Tuesday, December 11th, at 7PM COBY KAY CALLAHAN ADRIENNE DEEKMAN MURPH HOLDER MARTIN LANDRY KELLY SHOOK JACOB THOMPSON Wednesday, November 28th, at 6:30PM LEAH BENAVIDES DEANNA DELLACIOPPA JARED EBERLEIN ELSA HARCHICK MELODY JONETHIS KATIE YAMULLA Tuesday, November 27th, at 6:30PM JULIE HILL EDWARD MISKIE JOHN MYERS ANGELA SCHERRAH JILLIAN SCHOCHET LIZA WENGER Tuesday, November 13th, at 7PM DENNIS FOWLER DAYNA PRICE STEPHANIE ROSENBERG MELANIE SMOCK KRISTEN VARVARIS SABRINA WANG Tuesday, October 9th, at 7PM JESSICA MARASCO DAYNA PRICE LEAH RIGGS SABRINA WANG VANESSA WENDT Tuesday August 21st, 7PM AMANDA BAILEY MARY ORZANO DAYNA PRICE STEPHANIE ROSENBERG VALERIE WILLIAMS TIFFANY WRIGHTSON Tuesday August 14th, 7PM DENNIS FOWLER MEGHAN IVEY MARISSA PARNESS DAYNA PRICE STEPHANIE ROSENBERG MELANIE SMOCK Tuesday August 7th, 7PM DANIELLE BITTON KATE ERIN GIBSON CHAUNDRA NELMS ABIGAIL ZIAJA Tuesday July 17th, 7PM RACHEL BAZAZ MICHAEL CHERRY ROBYN CUCURULLO JAYSON KERR VANESSA WENDT Friday, June 29th, 7PM KATIE KESTER MARY ORZANO DAYNA PRICE MARISSA ROSEN STEPHANIE ROSENBERG KWAME REMY Wednesday, June 7th, 7PM MEGAN CRAIN CHAUNDRA NELMS MARY ORZANO KATE REGAN STEPHANIE ROSENBERG MICHAEL SANTORA Monday, May 21st, 9PM MICHAEL CHERRY KATE ERIN GIBSON KAYLA KUZBEL LEAH RIGGS KRISTIN SCAFURI CHRISTINA SULLIVAN Monday, May 7th, 9PM DAVID BISHOP KIM CATANO JESSICA MARASCO LAUREN PARSONS BRANDON RUCKDASHEL KRISTEN WILKENS Wednesday April 25, 2007, 9:15pm ERIN CALDWELL KARMEN KLUGE RORI NOGEE LAUREN PARSONS JESSICA SCUTERI Coaching | Workshops | Showcases | Personal | Contact |