DEXTER, Mich.–Ann Arbor native and current New York cabaret artist Ari Axelrod will be leading a masterclass on cabaret performance for The Academy of Vocal and Dramatic Arts: Bridging the Gap with Ari Axelrod.

Check out his website: www.ariaxelrod.com

The Academy’s executive director is Marlene Inman.

The class takes place on Sunday, August 4th: (Ages 14-17) Pianist Provided
1pm to 4pm. The fee is $75.

The class for students 18 and up is August 4, 6pm to 9pm. The fee is $75.

Location:
Academy of Vocal and Dramatic Arts, LLC
Dexter United Methodist Church
7643 Huron River Drive
Dexter, MI 48130

Current students can log on to our website and sign up using the calendar.
Just locate the date and add your name to the event! Anyone who is not
currently enrolled in the Academy can sign up by emailing me directly at
cmarleneinman@gmail.com. So tell your friends!

Course Description:
This course focuses on how to bridge the gap between musical theatre
performance and the intimate art of cabaret by honing the performer’s
foundational training and getting in touch with their most authentic self.

What to prepare: We will be working on FULL songs in class.

When picking material, the lyrics are most important. Do you relate to
what’s being communicated in the text? Pick material that gives you a
visceral reaction. My gauge? If I get chills listening to a song, I bring
it in. If the song speaks to you, you have a right to sing it. In other
words, no song is wrong. You read that correctly, NO SONG IS OFF LIMITS. I
repeat NO SONG IS OFF LIMITS. You are allowed and encouraged to sing songs from any and all genres. Rock, jazz, rap, pop, musical theatre, country, klezmer, you name it. Songs in other languages. You are allowed to sing any song in the world regardless of the race, ethnicity, gender identification, sexual orientation, religion, etc. of the original character/singer of the song. If you relate to the story being told in that piece, you have every right to sing it. Above all else, pick material that you LOVE.

Biography
NYC credits include: Off-Broadway: Milk and Honey (Cantor/Sheep Boy) at The York Theatre Company. Regional: Weathervane Theatre: Last Five Years
(Jamie), West Side Story (Riff), Hairspray (Corny Collins). Repertory
Theatre of St. Louis: One Man Two Guvnors (Ensemble). Ari is a proud member of Actors Equity Association.

Ari has had the privilege of working with cabaret icons such as Tony Award
winners Faith Prince and Christine Ebersole, Tony nominee Ann Hampton
Callaway, Grammy Award winner Billy Stritch, multiple MAC Award winners Marilyn Maye and Karen Mason, and Bistro Award winner Alix Korey.

Ari Axelrod’s solo cabaret, “Taking the Wheel”, directed by Faith Prince
and music directed by multiple MAC Award winner Alex Rybeck, has been
performed in multiple cities including two sold out performances at
Feinstein’s/54 Below in New York City. Ari’s most recent cabaret, “A
Celebration of Jewish Broadway” has had two sold-out performances at
historic Birdland Jazz Club in NYC, as well as sold out performances in St.
Louis, Missouri and at Eastern Michigan University.