Testimonials | Currently Showing | Ad for Actors |
Everything You Wanted To Know But Were Afraid to Ask | Archives




"Bisen-Hersh...had the nearly packed house roaring with laughter." -- The Siegels, takinbroadway.com

"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.




Here are the people who have previously performed at Seth's Talent Showcases, most recent first:

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





News | Bio | Resume | Songs
Coaching | Workshops | Showcases | Personal | Contact