Charles Bergell-Broadway Jn Valjean On Broadway Sings Young Artist Prgrm, LLC
About
I am a PROFESSIONAL BROADWAY ACTOR/ SINGER who has played JEAN VALJEAN IN LES MISERABLES ON BROADWAY, and worked with many Broadway leading performers
As a performer who has reached the highest pinnacle of a musical theatre career - as a working Equity actor/ singer in shows such as the Broadway and National Tours of Les Miserables (Jean Valjean) The Phantom of the Opera (US Mssr. Andre), and Evita - I know what it takes to succeed as a musical theatre performer.
MY TRAINING: As a graduate of the highly acclaimed Northwestern University Theatre Department, (School of Speech, Bachelor of Speech, Major in Theatre 1987), my training combines the best of acting and voice training:
I had comprehensive training as both a classical training both as an actor and operatic singing technique.
ACTING TRAINING: As as a musical theatre actor/ singer who has reached the pinnacle of success in professional musical theatre I can tell you what many voice teachers don’t know (or won’t tell you):
For musical theatre - the acting of the song is just as important, IF NOT MORE IMPORTANT - THAN the singing!! The key to getting cast in musical theatre is being able to ACT THE SONG as well as you sing it!!
As an acting major at Northwestern University’s renowned theatre school I received extensive training in all aspects of the theatre - everything from theatre history to scenic design. And my acting training featured years of intensive training in acting technique of many styles and periods ranging from acting the classics such as The Greeks, Shakespeare, Ibsen, and Checkhov, to contemporary drama like Sam Shepard, Arthur Miller and Tom Stoppard.
Particular emphasis was placed on The Sanford Meisner acting technique.
VOICE TRAINING: I have received classical many years of vocal instruction from some of the finest coaches and vocal teachers in the world, including artists from the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Gardens, San Francisco Opera, and many Broadway shows. (With a father who was a professional opera singer, I was training virtually from birth!)
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY: My students know that within a supportive, nurturing and FUN learning environment...I will always treat you as the musical theatre artist you aspire to be - and challenge you to grow and push yourself past your personal boundaries to grow and succeed as an artist.
I focus on the techniques and skills of singing and acting you’ll need to succeed at whatever level you (or your child) wants to participate in - whether it’s the middle school play, high school musical or drama program, high school seniors focussed on college MT audition prep - all the way to a professional career in musical theatre.
I have a great relationship with the students I teach - they appreciate and respond to my humour as well as my passion and commitment to seeing them grow as young artists.
TEACHING THE BUSINESS OF SHOW BUSINESS: In addition to teaching you voice and actings skills - I will teach you as a musical theatre ‘artist - and work on both in skills as a performing artist and guidance and advice on the ‘business’ side of acting and career development.
BROADWAYS SINGS YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM:
In addition to private voice and acting lessons - I am the co-founder of BROADWAY SINGS ( www.broadwaysings.com ), a professional concert production company of leading Broadway artists - and also of BROADWAYS SINGS YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM - which is a pre-professional training program for aspiring musical theatre (Broadway) performing artists.
My Broadway Sings Young Artist Program co-founder and teaching partner, LISA FRANKLIN, has been teaching voice for 20+ years - and her voice students have landed roles in 35+ (and counting!) Broadway shows and National Tours - including Matilda, Fun Home, The Sound of Music, The Book of Mormon, Tina the Musical, Elf, A Christmas Story, The Bridges of Madison County, Elf and a Chorus Line.
We feature Broadway Workshop and youth productions taught and directed by actual Broadway professionals who have performed leading roles in hit Broadway.
Our BROADWAY SINGS YOUNG ARTISTS have worked with stars from the Broadway productions of Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Mean Girls, Be More Chill, Frozen, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, School of Rock, Matilda, Fun Home, Annie, Newsies, Billy Elliot, 13, A Christmas Story, Come From Away, Beauty and the Beast, Miss Saigon, Mamma Mia, A Chorus Line, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins.
We also feature
- agent showcases with NYC talent agents and managers
- acting classes
- seminars about ‘the business of show business’
- information seminars for parents of aspiring MT Artists
- college MT program audition preparation and workshops
- video audition reel preparation and filming
- headshot consulting, and
- NYC field trips to Broadway shows which often include Q&As with the Broadways Stars!
Broadway Sings Young Artists Program provides students with the ability to learn the craft of musical theatre while making contacts and building relationships within the Broadway community.
I have found teaching to be some of the most inspiring and energizing work that I have done - it both confirms and recharges me as a performing artist, and I have decided to pursue this in as many avenues as I can.
I consistently challenge and encourage my students in a loving and supportive way to learn and to grow as real artists, to let go of inhibitions and take creative risks - 'to be fearless' - and I am constantly astonished at the results that are achieved this way.
It's amazing how many beginning vocal students willk come in with a tiny whispery voice, thinking that is their singing voice - and at the end of ten minutes of the proper instruction - they are be belting out a song with a huge voice at to the back of the room! It is always a joy to see a student make a creative leap and 'find their voice'!
Or - in acting - to see a student suddenly grasp the concept of intentions and tactic - and really go for what they are fighting for in the scene! Or for a student to 'get' the basics of comic technique!
I have a real love and a talent for teaching - both acting and voice. And I have a great relationship with the students I teach - they appreciate and respond to my passion and commitment to seeing them grow as young artists.
Here's my website if you'd like to learn more about my young artists program:
www.broadway-sings.com
Please note: During the Covid crisis I temporarily went all online and discovered that ONLINE LESSONs REALLY WORK! I have many students I've been working with this way for a number of months now and it actually works for private voice and acting lessons really, really well!
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
WHAT'S MY TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE? I am a professional Broadway actor/ singer who has had a 25+ year successful career as a professional, working Equity actor/ singer in shows such as the Broadway and National Tours of Les Miserables (Jean Valjean) The Phantom of the Opera (US Mssr. Andre), and Evita.
As a performer who has reached the highest pinnacle of a musical theatre career - performing Jean Valjean in Les Miserables on Broadway, and worked with many Broadway leading performers I know what it takes to succeed as a musical theatre performer.
MY TRAINING: As a graduate of the highly acclaimedNorthwestern University Theatre Department, (School of Speech, Bachelor of Speech, Major in Theatre 1987), my training combines the best of acting and voice training:
I had comprehensive training as both a classical training both as an actor and operatic singing technique.
ACTING TRAINING: As as a musical theatre actor/ singer who has reached the pinnacle of success in professional musical theatre I can tell you what many voice teachers don’t know (or won’t tell you):
For musical theatre - the acting of the song is just as important, IF NOT MORE IMPORTANT - THAN the singing!! The key to getting cast in musical theatre is being able to ACT THE SONG as well as you sing it!!
As an acting major at Northwestern University’s renowned theatre school I received extensive training in all aspects of the theatre - everything from theatre history to scenic design. And my acting training featured years of intensive training in acting technique of many styles and periods ranging from acting the classics such as The Greeks, Shakespeare, Ibsen, and Checkhov, to contemporary drama like Sam Shepard, Arthur Miller and Tom Stoppard.
Particular emphasis was placed on The Sanford Meisner acting technique.
VOICE TRAINING: I have received classical many years of vocal instruction from some of the finest coaches and vocal teachers in the world, including artists from the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Gardens, San Francisco Opera, and many Broadway shows. (With a father who was a professional opera singer, I was training virtually from birth!)