Vocal Care and Performing Through Pain

Hello and welcome back to a special little Q and A episode of Howall Very Hannah. We're not even gonna to roll the titles and we're gonna go straight in with the quQing and Aing, which means question and answer if you didn't know. First question, what's your most used emoji? Okay, my most used emoji Is? really hitting hard questions. Oh, Okaykay, it's the like The smiling but crying one because I don't know if you know, but I have had the well you won't know I have just had the most, I've had a journey from hell to get here today I've got this outfit on and I'm going to be wearing this outfit for the next maybe three episodes or however many we're filming today becausecause I planned to go home are basically right. I was onest sleepper train, greatreat experience, lovely, couldouldn't have predicted what was going to happen. The train broke down So I'm sleep on the train five AM, train breaks down could have happened to any train, but it happened to be the sleabvery train I was on. And we all got we had to wait on the train for like two more hours and then it got towed back, it got towed or pushed or something to Edinburgh I woke up in the morning, was meant to wake up in London. I woke up still in Scotland. I was like, I'm a celebrity. I keep spitting on the mic I'm se to get me out of here I was still in Scotland Uh with Reuben on the train, Wh is in the other room still? I planned to so I planned to go back home, get changed have a shower, do my makeup The dog at home, give him some breakfast. but instead I had to get off the train in Edinburgh, get the seven hundred thirty train from Edinburgh to London, which meant another five hours in the train, even though I'd been on the train overnight the whole night for like ten hours already So fifteen hours on the train today. So I am crazy and my hair is not the same color as it was before. That's what I'm going say. It's a work in progress. I use the box dyie and I am actually in love. I actually love the color of it. I just need it all to like blend a bit more. So I'm going to use a toner on it because I've only just done it and I planned to do that this week, but the week's just been busy and it's all happening. So the reason for the smiling crying emoji is because I am smiling and I'm here and I'm loving life But I'm also crying a little bit because it's like's so fine, everything's going to be fine. You want me to sit on the train for another five hours, off course. Just like crying through the miling through the pain. That's a little catch up on my life. okay? I wish I bet you wish you never asked the question. Next question, what's one thing that has stuck with you with each role you've played? Oh gosh, E role. Well because I've covered so many roles, there's quite a lot, but let's go with like the main roles that I play to like the roller was cast into like New Wavegirl What stuck with me with that roll I guess it's less the actual role in the show and more The experience of playing that part and what I learned on that job so like newew Wavegirl would probably be the dance captain experience I had on that job and learning how to cut the show and learning how to handle, pressure, what other rolls? Obviously all the heathers, but like that was all under the Heathers bracket. so I'll leave that one. SpongeBob. Hm Kare in the computer. What did I take from that role? learearning that I can do the show without being able to see 'use I don't know if you werere around for that era. but when I did SpongeBob, I had to wear this visor that had like it was really cool. It was like a visor, like pair of glasses that had like this like stream running through it of like it looked like a computer because I was playing sppoiler, Caren the compomuter But because the background for the design had to be dark, there was like it was just like pllastic and then this tiny little slit, like honestly That big me to see through. So when I spent the whole show like Either looking under the glasses like that or like looking through this tiny slit And I'm convinced that that's why I'm getting like so many wrinkles here because I spent the whole year just like going like that's squinting all the time, but I'm not mad about it. So yeah, learning that I can do the show without one of my senses and it's fine. With six, I think I learnnt because my role was to like my role was covering. so the two tracks I was playing. I think it's just like the live performance element of six. I think like This is such a different musical to any other musical I had done and have done. and the way that it's set like a concert and you wear your inars and you're like having patter with the audience and you're kind of playing yourself, but like a different version of yourself, like your Katherine Howard version or Katherine Parb version of yourself So I think that was really good to learn that from those roles, like that I can I think performing like a pop star is very different to performing like a straight acting show. and then legally blonde, I think Margot has taught me how important like girlhood is And Having that connection with my daughter new sisters on stage is so special. On stage and off stage is so special and so important. I feel like Margot and like the energy and enthusiasm I get from playing Margot gives me energy. I don't know, even on the days where I don't have any energy, when I'm doing a Margo show and it goes, you hear that drum fill at the start That was a really bad example. but the stuff I know go to go. I hear that and automatically I'm like switch it on, like energy, energy, energy. and I stand in the wings and I jump up and down for two cans of it. I go, jump, jump, jump, jump jump and I jump for two cans ofate. And that energy like takes me through the show and I think it's like knowing that like performing and the joy I get from it like can give me energy. And hopefully that translates to the audience. Did that make any sense I've had a long day so I feel like maybe my sentences aren't working, but we're going go with it and you're all just on the same vibe. Okay, what is your favourite thing to do after a matinee show Eat So much food. I am like immediately ravenous. I'm like yeit me Hnandoos Toronto U caffeine Actually not always caffeine because sometimes it's a bit late and if I have caffeine like between shows, I will be like quite awake in the evening so I try not to have too much caffeine after the matineinet. So yeah, definitely eat. I like to do stage dor when I can but also I love when I've got friends and family in and I love like going to see them after the matineinet and getting to chat with them and just catching up with everyone really. sometimes we actually quite a big break between shows. so it's nice to chill sometimes I think I've napped once. I don't really like to nap because sometimes I feel like it gives me less energy. I don't know why. But to be honest, in the break, I do like to just like rest my voice and not speak too much and not like do too much. But sometimes the vibes are high. We' be playing games and doing all sorts of fun things And I love a game and an activity And also I do like to get some fresh air because can be really hot in the theatres. It's just nice to go outside and feel some wind in my ginger hair. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world living or dead, who would it be Oh, that's a good one. Cynthia Ariivo Hod I just think she has so much wisdom And I think it wouldd be such an honor to sit and have dinner with her. like, are you joking? What would we talk about I would just Fang Go the whole time. I try not to. I try to like have a regular conversation with her But I just feel like she would have she would have so much to offer in a conversation and I just would find it really interesting like to hear about like her journey. And actually, where I trained at LSMT before Cynthia Kred him Like obviously she was a big name in the music theataterre for a long time, but like before she did Wicked, she actually taught a workshop at LSMT, not for my year group. I think it was a couple years before mine, but like she did a workshop there and I just think that's crazy that she was doing workshops at colleg years and stuff like that and like really I'm not saying she's not hustling now because she probably very much is, but like like actor hustle and like doing workshops and teaching and like I think she still continues to do that, which I really love for her. But I would just love to hear about her experience in this industry and how that has changed now that she's got like global fame and recognition. And if we got Cynthia Rivo on the pod one day, then I we could have dinner on the pod. That would work Can you imagine? What we have in What we haveving it' up to you. Out of the legally blonde cast, Wh who would survive the longest in a zombie apocalypse Definitely not me, that's for sure Who would survive Longus in a zombie apocalypse? Who's got like good I feel like you've got to have a bit of strength. You've got to have some intelligence there. You've got to have Survival skills And no one's springing to mind, I fear. Casta Yeah, Jocasta would be good in a zombie apocalypse. She's smart, she's strong. I'm sure she's got survival skills. She's got a big dog as well, which I think could help. Ruben would be no help. Luna might I think Jaster. Hold on a second. I hope you're enjoying the episode so far, but Hannah from the future or the past, I don't know, either way is just joining you to tell you to please subscribe or follow whether you're watching or listening. It really helps us out and we want to keep creating this podcast and bringing you so much musical theatre love and joy and that's all I have to say back to the episode. What's your biggest tips for covering multiple roles? What's your system of organisation Oh Did I ask this question because I' still not quite sure do know what? I do just close my eyes and pray, which is really bad and I don't recommend it When I started six, I was thought I'm going to buy an iPad and I'm going to get a system in place and I have an iPad And I have a system called Stagewite. But I think I spent more time trying to make it all cute and colour coordinated and laa la laa. then I needed to. And then as soon as we were out of rehearsals, I didn't look at it once. I just like watched the videos of the performance and stuff. So I think if I was covering multiple roles like that again, with legally, it's different because I'm only covering one role, so kind of I didn't really have a system. I just kind of used my script and wrote a couple things down here and there, but you kind of just learn as you go and fitting two tracks into a brain is different to fitting three in my head, I don't know But Six was different because I didn't have my own track. I was just covering the two tracks and they were very similar but different And yeah, I never really looked back at my stage riot thing. I think I don't know. I think if I could go back, I would just get videos of everything because like that for me when And I would just use my phone. That is the easiest thing for me to just go on, look, zoom in, where am I stood, what number, blah, blah, blah. And I think like that is the most helpful thing for me. And also I'm taking this from Kelly Finglos from DCC U America sweetheart But she records voice notes to like remind herself of things. So she'll be watching the goirls performer. She'll be like Kelly's legs are Reese's arms aren't on the right position. that was a really bad example, but she does voice notes and I think that is the type of thing that I that works for me videos or voice notes. because otherwise, I remember spending so much time when we were learning the show in six that I spent so much time like on my iPad that I didn't really get up and do it much. and I'm like, I wish I'd just got up and just done it more I think maybe I was being lazy and I wanted to sit down. I would change that. but Everyone learns and works differently. so Try out a couple of things, see what works for you. Some people like iPads, some people like the old traditional pen and paper and highlighters I do prefer an iPad to have my script on, but it honestly just depends What's the biggest message you hope audiences take away from legally blonde? For me, Arcle, I don't know. I think it It depends, It depends on the type of person that's watching it, but like for me, one of the biggest like story arcs is the female friendships in the show and seeing how At the start of the show, Elle had her girls, you know, she had hert She has her deltones throughout the show and they are just ridele dive for her. They support her in everything she does, like there's not like a single bit with her D to new girls there doesn't like a single bit of jealousy or, you know, they're all just so excited that like she's getting engaged. Well So she thinks that she's getting engaged and she's going to find a beautiful outfit and it's like they're all just like there for each other and I think that's so important to show on stage And then also Fllowing on from that, it's like at the start of the show, Elle conflicts a little bit with Enid and with Vivian and you know with the girls and everyone at Harvard, and I think seeing the journey that they go on throughout the show and that at the end seeing kind of Ell stood with Vivia and Enid and all of like her friends and the people around her who've finally accepted her It's just like a real strong message that like actually we are stronger as women if we you know, support each other and work together and Ell is a really underestimated character And I think also just like showing that like you can underestimate anyone. And they're still going to continue to thrive and keep like showing up and like showing you. how they can be authentically themselves and still succeed. And I think that's a beautiful message. Would you ever want Ruben to work on a show as a performing pet R, he is here somewhere. Would Ruben be good on stage I think he would probably be scared by the audience because he doesn't really like loud noises or like big I think he wouldn't cope well backstage because there's quite a lot. It's dark and there's like a lot happening and it's like busy backstage On stage, the audience are really loud He's dead asleep in the other room. he's not dead. He's asleep, sorry. I shouldn't have put those two words together Really? Okay, well, Ruben is in the other room, he's here in spirit. So he has quite well trained. Like if I've got a treat in hand, he will sit and give me his paw and he will bark on cue. like we have been working on that bruiser, whereere's Al. but In terms of doing performing as a job, I don't see that in his future. But if they needed an emergency cover He would be fine, I'm sure Although you can't really make them up with one arm. so Maybe he could be emgency cover roof us or something What's the hardest thing about working in the musical theatre industry? Right now, I feel like the schedule and the like toll it takes on your body and your voice and your Not relationships, but like your social life and like obviously there's lots of jobs out there that are really exhausting, but I think Uh schedule is really full on and the show does take out of you a lot and Um Especially being on tour like there traveling and stuff. Like it's a whole other level of like stamina is needed to like spend fifteen hours on the train. Yeah, there is definitely like a lot of amazing things about it. I think one of the hardest things for me right now is the schedule and just Being exhausted, if you could gender flip any musical theatater role and play it tomorrow, who would you pick Maybe like Fierro or something Dancing through life. I just think he's a fun character to play. Fierro would be good. in the like white And they called Job pers Pose I think that's what they call in the really tight white Yah. Yeah, Fierro, come on Bailey eat your heart out I'm a first year performing student and already feel behind in my career at suggestions. Wha That's why I want to say to that whoa Hold your horses You're in your first year. behind him walk If you're in your first year of training, like who are you behind? What are you behind It's not a race, it's not a competition. It's not like, o, I'm behind this person next to me. We're all just running our own races and it's not even a race. We're all on our own paths So try not to compare yourself to others and feel like You have to be at a certain level, like We are all so special as individuals. and like that is not going to ever look the same. like you don't want to be a carbon copy of the person next to you. So Just relelax Enjoy yourself Wk hard. and It's going to be okay. What's the best way to look after your voice during a heavy rehearsal period? Honestly rest really focused on your sleep and I know it's hard because if you're in a rehearsal process and you're getting to know your cast and your company and you're like, oh're we're going go to the pub after the show and We're all going out and d. I'm not saying don't do that. like you or your own person decide what you want to do But just maybe some sensible decisions with how you're spending your free time For me personally, like I go I'm like no contact during rehearsals. I'm like I don't really do social things and if I do, it's like, well, what's Hannah doing here Um, I try and just like rest as much as possible. Good food much sound like a robot then. Daisy Twels is a really good robot impress. and she's like, like this Anyway, as much as it sounds silly to talk about food when you talk about your voice, I just think like your voice and your body It stems from like, I feel like you're health and wellbeing and stuff. So like look after your mind, look after your body, like try and eat good food, try and rest. Try not to like shout too much in between rehearsals and stuff. and I think like that's all you can do. like it's going to be a lot. when you're in rehearsals, like you' singing I remember first a rehearsals for legally we were like, Dear E, he's not loking yet. And it's like that felt so unnatural for me in my voice and my body and doing that constantly. I was like, o my God, how am I going to get through the show if I'm vocally tired? I'm vocally tired right now just from speaking So I know that like after this I need to drink loads of water and then go home and like not speak for a little while. And I think it's just like trying to be in tune, in tune with your body and knowing what it needs. Hydration is key. Hydration is king, hydration is queen, hydration stations, The World Cup, hydration breaks, sign me up. That sounds like I'm doing like a rap hydration breaks sign up but just so much water, it really helps. And like if I haven't drank either way If I haven't drunken enough, I can feel it immediately, like I'll start the show. Imost their butt and be like, o my gosh I've not drank enough water today and then I'll come off stage and I'll drink so that I'm like, o no,'m gonna wet myself. so honestly just water and electrolytes are good because they help you be even more hydrated and also Someone I follow Mary Kate Marry Mary Space Kate Mary Kate Morrisy, who played elsewhere on Broadway and many other things. She swears by drinking coconut water. I want to say said coconut water is super hydrating I personally don't like coconut water, but if you do, then that is A little fun fact for you. Okay, next question, how do you get through the show if you're having a bad day? Hm I actually think the show helps me if I'm having a bad day sometimes, which is kind of weird But like kind of like what I was saying earlier is when you get I get so much energy from doing these roles and it does take a lot of energy, but it also like gives me so much like Maybe energy is the wrong word, like adrenaline. that helps me kind of forget about what is going on that day And maybe that's I've been privileged enough to not have anything like major. happen. I can't say I've had to do a show when something really major or traumatic has just happened, so I can't speak on that. But I would say for like other things is just trying to forget about it. And actually doing the show is like my release from whatever is happening during the day. In the same way that when people come watch shows, a lot of the time it's like so they can forget about their regular life for a couple of hours and just be fully in the show and in the moment So I think that works that kind of works the same way for me as a performer as well. I feel like I It's like my release. It can be hard if I'm having a bit of a bad day or if I'm on my period or if I've got a headache or if I'm really stressed or something like that, I don't know. that It can be hard to like switch it on and it's in times like that where I feel like I really rely on my the kind of the character work that you've done for the roles because you have to really tap into that to tap into the character rather than just like doing it. It's also like a little bit like you have to switch your mindset into like, this is my job and I have to just get on with it. And obviously there are some circumstances where you won't just get on with it and if something you know major is happening, then You know, if you're ill or sick and you have to go off the show, but like A lot of the time if I'm just having a bad day A lot of people, you know, some doctors will be having a bad day and they still have to go in and do a full day of of work. So you kind of just grin and bear it every now and then I think it's hard when you're forward facing and you have to smile as part of your job. Literally you have to smile and look happy as part of your job, which can be hard, but as an actor, you have to just like switch it on and fake it to you make it. And some days you're really present and you're really in the moment and some days you are just going through the motions And I think it's okay to like accept that Sometimes you will be on autopilot and as much as it might feel a bit like near The audience will still get an amazing performance, but like to protect yourself, you do have to some days just be like, okay, let's just get through it today and Show up and tomorrow iss a new day and we'll see what that brings. Final question, my favorite one, Favorite way to eat eggs Boiled actually Boiled egg cut into some slices on I need to do this tomorrow morning. I can't wait. On the sour, I haven't had eggs all week Team E would be upset If you don't know what that is, then you have to watch the Plymouth vlog. Please go back and watch that. Boiled, sliced on some sourdough with some salted butter That's my kryptonine. Thatu poached, not scrambled triide Yeah depends if I feeling greasy or not I'm feeling greasy, Get me a fried egg boiled and it's easy, No mess, no fuss You know what? sometometimes if I'm boiling eggs, I don't even clean the pan afterwards. Is that gross Is that outrageer All the pan has seen is the outside of the egg and hot water. So there you have it. That's my favorite way to eat eggs and bet you're glad you asked. So that is the end of the questions. Thank you for sending in your questions. But before this episode ends, I have a very exciting announcement, Dum roll please.. We've been nominated for a B Creator awward I'm really excited. but Halvary Hannah has been nominated for podcast of the Year We have been shortlisted and you can now officially vote For your winners And there's lots of different categories on there.'s I was previously nominated for Entertainment Creator of the Year and I lost. So I'd love a redemption arc B Calary Hannah wins because it's not just me behind Halary Hannah. There's an incredible team Producer Sophia particularly big shout out to prodducer Sophia at Barlane Productions. So please get your votes in We would love to see it Who knows if I'll be able to get the day off work to go to the actual awards? Imagine if I got the day off work once the awards are then lost I'd be gutted We'd have a nice time and maybe we could eat some eggs or something and then it'd be even nicer. Anway I need to shut up. So all the details for that will be in the show notes and the description. Thank you so much for watching. Make sure to like, comment, subscribe and follow, ask wherever you get your podcast and vote for the B Creator awwards. And once you've done all that, you can relax Thanks for watching and I will see you next week for another guest episode Be