Knowing Your Lyrics

I am lucky that I have had the opportunity to learn multiple languages in my life.
I speak 5 western languages and some Mandarin Chinese. 

Knowing a language when preparing a role is a great advantage. We can quickly grasp the text and with this understanding we can have a stronger, more true character. In doing so we convey much more power to the audience in our movements, voice, an inflections of the language.

When I watch a performance, I can usually spot an artist who really doesn't understand the words he or she is singing. This is sad, as the learning process can be much deeper and satisfying if we translate a role properly.