DISCOVER

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FURTHER INFORMATION

Thanks for voting! Your interest has been shared with Gracie Abrams

What kind of behind-the-scenes videos do you want to see from Gracie Abrams?

Hey, I’m Idina Menzel. I'm a Tony Award-winning singer and actor. You might know me as Elsa from Frozen or Elphaba from Wicked. In my Studio, I’m sharing my real, behind-the-scenes process as I take on new roles, learn new songs, and workshop new material. If you’ve ever wondered how I bring a song to life, how I develop my characters, how I work with directors, or how I use my voice, I’m showing every step here in my Studio. I'm taking you with me into the rehearsal room, behind the scenes, sharing everything I do from start-to-finish.


- In this video, Idina talks about her experience originating a role, which means that she was the first performer to play that role in a new project. Some of Idina’s most notable roles have been originated roles in new musicals, including:
    - Maureen in *Rent* ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rent_(musical)))
    - Elphaba in *Wicked* ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked_(musical)))
    - Elizabeth in *If/Then* ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If/Then))
- Idina references a few different songs throughout this video. If you’d like to listen to those songs, you can do so below.
    - “Forever Young” by Alphaville ([Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/4S1VYqwfkLit9mKVY3MXoo?si=699d075ad9314957) | [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/forever-young/65122585?i=65122547) | [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5guhMw_EH0))
    - “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by the Beatles ([Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/4pbG9SUmWIvsROVLF0zF9s?si=3a6df558c08d4d95) | [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-want-to-hold-your-hand/1440833098?i=1440833542) | [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jenWdylTtzs))
    - “You’ve Got a Friend” by Carole King ([Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/1qhp5owrFGeZ5Jgin28nwR?si=e15b538751674206) | [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/youve-got-a-friend/747087657?i=747087669) | [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAR_Ff5A8Rk))
    - “With or Without You” by U2 ([Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/6QPhpvO1pWDS91EsEmzsbc?si=44145af387af40b0) | [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/with-or-without-you/1443155637?i=1443155645) | [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujNeHIo7oTE))
    - “Fix You” by Coldplay ([Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/7LVHVU3tWfcxj5aiPFEW4Q?si=2139a9737b3741b4) | [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/fix-you/1123076757?i=1123076826) | [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4V3Mo61fJM))
    - “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkel ([Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/4rukoCTjrYaXKKbWnqzAkt?si=e660f7fd79aa4734) | [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/bridge-over-troubled-water/1463651590?i=1463652196) | [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G-YQA_bsOU))
- Idina also references a few different stories and characters throughout this video. Idina will share more information about the characters she chooses to explore in future lessons. If you’d like more information on any of them, you can find it below.
    - “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” by F. Scott Fitzgerald ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curious_Case_of_Benjamin_Button_(short_story)))
    - Peter Pan, created by J. M. Barrie ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Pan))
    - Dorothy and the Scarecrow from *The Wonderful Wizard of Oz* by L. Frank Baum ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wonderful_Wizard_of_Oz))
    - Shirley MacLaine (as Aurora Greenway) Debra Winger (as her daughter Emma) in *Terms of Endearment* ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terms_of_Endearment))
    - Joan Crawford in *Mommie Dearest* ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mommie_Dearest_(film)))
    - Elsa (played by Idina Menzel) from *Frozen* ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frozen_(2013_film)))
    - Elphaba (played by Idina Menzel) from *Wicked* ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked_(musical)))
    - Annie Wilkes and Paul Sheldon in *Misery* by Stephen King ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misery_(novel)))
- Idina references a few elements of music theory or vocal technique. You don’t need to read music or know much music theory to learn from Idina in these videos! But, if you’d like more information on a term Idina uses or a concept she mentions, check out the [Music Theory & Vocal Terms Index](https://menzel-resources.studio.com/index).

Choosing a Song

In this bonus video, Idina shares more about her early experiences as a performer, including working as a wedding singer and playing Maureen in the off-Broadway production of Rent.

BONUS: Learn More About Idina’s Early Career


- Idina references a few elements of music theory or vocal technique. If you’d like more information on a term Idina uses or a concept she mentions, check out the [Music Theory & Vocal Terms Index](https://menzel-resources.studio.com/index).

Learning a Song As Yourself


- Idina references a few elements of music theory or vocal technique. If you’d like more information on a term Idina uses or a concept she mentions, check out the [Music Theory & Vocal Terms Index](https://menzel-resources.studio.com/index).
- Idina talks about the following characters throughout the lesson:
    - Annie Wilkes from *Misery* by Stephen King ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misery_(novel)))
    - Marie Curie ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Curie))
    - Ruth Bader Ginsburg ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Bader_Ginsburg))

Early Character Exploration


- Idina talks about the following characters throughout the lesson:
    - Annie Wilkes from *Misery* by Stephen King ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misery_(novel)))
    - Marie Curie ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Curie))

Deep Dive into Character


- Idina references a few elements of music theory or vocal technique. If you’d like more information on a term Idina uses or a concept she mentions, check out the [Music Theory & Vocal Terms Index](https://menzel-resources.studio.com/index).
- Idina talks about the following characters throughout the lesson:
    - Annie Wilkes from *Misery* by Stephen King ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misery_(novel)))
    - Marie Curie ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Curie))

Workshopping the Song


- **Song:** Cash is workshopping the song “Hard Times Come Again No More” by Stephen Foster, an American folk song. This song has been covered by many different artists over the years, in many different styles. We’ve included a well-known version by Yo-Yo Ma, James Taylor, Edgar Meyer, and Mark O’Connor for your reference.  ([Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/2Pj8MEwrNbfEFMHrYFVoxs?si=765916c04eaa49e8) | [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/hard-times-come-again-no-more-voice/727358124?i=727358195) | [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P9X_o_FMHc))
- **Story & Character:** Cash is working on the character of Robin Hood. After becoming an outlaw, Robin Hood starts living in the Sherwood forest. He gathers around himself other young outlaws, who are also noble and righteous and fight against the injustices the rich people are inflicting upon the poor. ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hood))

BONUS: Coaching Cash Harrington (Beginner)


- **Song:** Marjan is working on “Didn’t Even Know I Was In Love,” an original song that Studio student Cristina Noujaim wrote in a Studio class with Charlie Puth. If you’d like to hear the original version of the song, you can do so [here](https://res.cloudinary.com/monthly/video/upload/v1620968512/x9zwgljdu8aqkrcwoiyz.mp3).
- **Story & Character:** Marjan is exploring the character of Daisy Buchanan from *The Great Gatsby.* 

    In 1922, Nick, a would-be writer, moves in next-door to millionaire Jay Gatsby and across the bay from his cousin Daisy Buchanan and her philandering husband, Tom. Nick soon realizes that Jay Gatsby orders his life around one desire: to be reunited with Daisy, the love he lost five years earlier. Daisy and Gatsby were lovers before Gatsby left to fight in the war. Daisy promised to wait for Gatsby, but in 1919 she chose instead to marry Tom Buchanan, a young man from a solid, aristocratic family who could promise her a wealthy lifestyle and who had the support of her parents. Ever since, Gatsby has thought of nothing but winning Daisy back. His quest leads him from poverty to wealth, into the arms of his beloved Daisy, and eventually to death. ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Gatsby))

BONUS: Coaching Marjan Koffa (Intermediate)


- **Song:** Tali is working on “I Just Want to Feel Something,” an original song that Studio student Jessica Lindsay wrote in a class with Ryan Tedder. If you’d like to hear the original version of the song, you can do so [here](https://res.cloudinary.com/monthly/video/upload/v1611684088/iij93jx5p2bqwdivl3p2.wav).
- **Story & Character:** Tali is working on the character of Rapunzel.

    A baby girl is taken by a sorceress who raises her as her own, names her “Rapunzel,” and locks her inside a tower. In order to visit Rapunzel, the sorceress stands beneath the tower and calls out: *Rapunzel! Rapunzel! Let down your hair That I may climb thy golden stair!*
    
    One day, a prince rides through the forest and hears Rapunzel singing from the tower. He returns often, and after seeing the sorceress climb the tower, bids Rapunzel let her hair down. When she does so, he climbs up and they fall in love. He eventually asks her to marry him, which she agrees to.
    
    When the sorceress finds out, she cuts off Rapunzel’s hair and casts her into the wilderness. When the prince returns that night, he finds the sorceress instead of Rapunzel. He leaps or falls from the tower, landing in a thorn bush, which blinds him. For years, he wanders through the wastelands of the country, until he comes upon Rapunzel, who has given birth to twins. When they fall into each other’s arms, her tears immediately restore his sight.

BONUS: Coaching Tali Green (Advanced)


- Idina mentions the Meisner technique, an acting philosophy developed by Sanford Meisner. This technique and series of exercises, often utilizing repetition, aim to help an actor access their emotions and focus on the other actors in their environment rather than themselves and the text. ([Wikipedia summary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meisner_technique))


Performance & Performance Psychology

In this video series, I share my entire, start-to-finish creative process on camera, as I learn and perform a new song . Along the way, I share and explain everything that I'm doing and thinking in detail — every idea, decision, tool, and technique.

You'll learn the exact process for how I analyze the lyrics, melody, phrasing, rhythms, tempo, and the keys, until I feel like I can just leave the sheet music behind. And when I've done all of that work, that's when the character begins to emerge from the performance.

 In the process, I'll be explaining my approach to the following topics:
 -   The Art of Storytelling through Song
 -   Connecting with Your Audience
 -   Vocal Health & Maintenance
 -   Character Motivation & Intention
 -   Studying Lyrics & Scripts
 -   Making Informed Vocal Choices
 -   Experimenting with Different Keys
 -   Workshopping a Song in Character
 -   Auditioning & Choosing Roles
 -   Finding Your Own Voice
 -   Dealing with Nerves

 In this series, I also make sure to teach you all of the skills you need to successfully follow along with my process. My hope is that this series gives you the space to discover your voice.

Learning a New Song From Start To Finish: My Full Character Development Process


- In this video, Idina introduces director [Michael Greif](https://playbill.com/person/michael-greif-vault-0000019301), whom she will be working with in these videos.
    - **Bio:** In addition to his many directing credits Off-Broadway, Michael has directed six original Broadway musicals (*Rent*, *If/Then*, *Next to Normal*, *Grey Gardens*, *Dear Evan Hansen*, and *War Paint*). He has received four Tony Award nominations for *Best Direction of a Musical* and won three Obie Awards. He was also the artistic director of the La Jolla Playhouse from 1994 to 1999.
    - For more information about Idina’s and Michael’s history of working together, including the development process of *[Rent](https://americantheatrewing.org/legends/rent/)*, you can watch the bonus video following this video.
    - In these videos, Idina will be working on the song “In Buddy’s Eyes” as the character of Sally Durant Plummer in *Follies*, a 1971 musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman. You don’t need to be familiar with *Follies* to follow along, and Idina and Michael will discuss more about the story and character as they go! However, if you’d like to learn more about the show, see the resources [here](https://menzel-resources.studio.com/follies).

Character & Song Selection

Learn more about how Idina’s and Michael’s history of working together, including the process of developing Rent with Jonathan Larson.

BONUS: Extended Conversation with Michael Greif


- In this video, Idina works with director [Michael Greif](https://playbill.com/person/michael-greif-vault-0000019301).
- Idina is working on the song “In Buddy’s Eyes” as the character of Sally Durant Plummer in *Follies*, a 1971 musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman. If you’d like to learn more about the show, see the resources [here](https://menzel-resources.studio.com/follies).
- Idina and Michael also mention [Blanche DuBois](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blanche_DuBois), a character from Tennessee Williams’s *A Streetcar Named Desire*.

Character Exploration 


- In this video, Idina works with director [Michael Greif](https://playbill.com/person/michael-greif-vault-0000019301).
- Idina is working on the song “In Buddy’s Eyes” as the character of Sally Durant Plummer in *Follies*, a 1971 musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman. If you’d like to learn more about the show, see the resources [here](https://menzel-resources.studio.com/follies).

Studying the Scene


- In this video, Idina works with music director [Michael Orland](https://michaelorland.com/).
- Idina and Michael reference several terms that refer to elements of music theory, musical notation, or dynamics. *Remember, you don’t need to read music or know much music theory to take this class!* In case you’d like to know more or want to better understand what they are working on, we’ve provided some notes in the [Music Theory & Vocal Terms Index](https://menzel-resources.studio.com/index).
- Idina is working on the song “In Buddy’s Eyes” as the character of Sally Durant Plummer in *Follies*, a 1971 musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman. If you’d like to learn more about the show, see the resources [here](https://menzel-resources.studio.com/follies).

Learning the Song Technically


- In this video, Idina works with music director [Michael Orland](https://michaelorland.com/) and director [Michael Greif](https://playbill.com/person/michael-greif-vault-0000019301).
- Idina and Michael reference several terms that refer to elements of music theory, musical notation, or dynamics. In case you’d like to know more or want to better understand what they are working on, we’ve provided some notes in the [Music Theory & Vocal Terms Index](https://menzel-resources.studio.com/index).
- Idina is working on the song “In Buddy’s Eyes” as the character of Sally Durant Plummer in *Follies*, a 1971 musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman. If you’d like to learn more about the show, see the resources [here](https://menzel-resources.studio.com/follies).

Workshopping the Song I


- **Song:** Greg is workshopping the song “Someone to Watch Over Me” by the Gerwshins. This song has been covered by many different artists over the years, in many different styles. We’ve included the two mentioned in this video for your reference.
    - Ella Fitzgerald ([Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/6YPfpKnUJJ617mxSbXd5LQ?si=81e95fa7d7314154) | [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/someone-to-watch-over-me/1440906364?i=1440906636) | [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J94EWJ_sT2o))
    - Sting ([Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/1iWn2QaFqzUsLwY7oPWfCH?si=55e89d7cf32b4457) | [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/someone-to-watch-over-me/1445286693?i=1445286698) | [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AITbFEgzZPU))

BONUS: Coaching Greg Duffy (Intermediate)


- **Song:** Lily is workshopping the song “Second Hand Rose,” which was written by by Grant Clarke and James F. Hanley for Fanny Brice—a popular performer in the 1910’s and 20’s, and the basis for the musical *Funny Girl*. We’ve included the original, as well as Barbra Streisand’s version, below.
    - Fanny Brice ([Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/3OB1ZLaqL4Hd9UEyiB8xHH?si=7a6733a75739494a) | [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/second-hand-rose/1503083230?i=1503083239) | [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw4qSg8UKjA))
    - Barbra Streisand ([Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/4snR6myh4KgWiZVdK5925N?si=855fa209e90a4e66) | [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/second-hand-rose/201290919?i=201291634) | [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5yoZiT97Vw))

BONUS: Coaching Lily Castle (Advanced)


- In this video, Idina works with music director [Michael Orland](https://michaelorland.com/) and director [Michael Greif](https://playbill.com/person/michael-greif-vault-0000019301).
- Idina and Michael reference a few elements of music theory or vocal technique If you’d like more information on music concepts Idina mentions, check out the [Music Theory & Vocal Terms Index](https://menzel-resources.studio.com/index).
- Idina is working on the song “In Buddy’s Eyes” as the character of Sally Durant Plummer in *Follies*, a 1971 musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman. If you’d like to learn more about the show, see the resources [here](https://menzel-resources.studio.com/follies).

Workshopping the Song II

Idina, Michael Greif, and Michael Orland share their tips for auditioning with vocal student Lily Castle.

BONUS: Preparing for Auditions

In this video series, I share my entire, start-to-finish creative process on camera, as I learn a new song . Along the way, I share and explain everything that I'm doing and thinking in detail — every idea, decision, tool, and technique.

You'll learn my exact collaboration process as I work with Michael Greif, who has directed six original Broadway musicals.

 In the process, I'll be explaining my approach to the following topics:
 -   The Art of Storytelling through Song
 -   Connecting with Your Audience
 -   Vocal Health & Maintenance
 -   Character Motivation & Intention
 -   Studying Lyrics & Scripts
 -   Making Informed Vocal Choices
 -   Experimenting with Different Keys
 -   Workshopping a Song in Character
 -   Auditioning & Choosing Roles
 -   Collaborating with a Director
 -   Finding Your Own Voice
 -   Dealing with Nerves

 My hope is that this series gives you the space to discover your voice. Enjoy!

Behind the scenes videos from Idina Menzel

Learning a New Song From Start To Finish: My Full Character Development Process

$149.99

Workshopping & Rehearsing A Song From An Existing Musical With Director Michael Greif

$149.99