Reason to Sing

Craig Carnelia has taught acclaimed musical theater acting classes for the Broadway community for over 25 years, as well as frequent master classes at many top universities including CCM, Elon, Northwestern, University of Michigan, and Missouri State. As a composer-lyricist, he has received two Tony Award nominations, two Drama Desk nominations, two Best Plays citations, the Johnny Mercer Award, and the prestigious Kleban Award. His shows include Working, Is There Life After High School?, Three Postcards, Sweet Smell of Success, Imaginary Friends and Poster Boy. Best known songs include Flight and What You’d Call a Dream. Craig has served on the council of the Dramatists Guild since 1995 and is married to actor-educator Lisa Brescia.

“The Reason to Sing is an imperative addition to the library of acting technique. This is one of our greatest masters giving you a master class on the practicalities of acting through song. Enjoy stepping into his classroom. It’s a magical place to be.”Annaleigh Ashford“Craig Carnelia taught me how to act. He has an uncanny ability to reach the heart of a song and the heart of his students. His students are not just singers. They are storytellers.”Sutton Foster“I’ve had the great pleasure of taking Craig’s class on and off for many years. His unique approach has the ability to unlock even the most difficult of acting challenges. He was crucial to my finding confidence and useable tools as a young actor, and I still think of his class often, across all mediums of my work.”Aaron Tveit“Simply put: I owe my career to Craig – every audition, performance, award nomination and accolade. He gave me the confidence-of-self to sing each note and lyric with purpose, truth and integrity. His class will forever be my Northstar.”Brandon Uranowitz“Craig saw promise, intelligence, and capability in my acting before I could acknowledge or value those qualities in myself. Through his gentle encouragement and disarming honesty, I was offered a safe place to explore every facet of myself and examine those facets until I learned to love and respect them.”Barrett Wilbert Weed“Craig’s teaching left an indelible mark on my acting and in my writing. I still hear his voice when I approach new material or a new role. Oh, and I booked a lot of Broadway shows because of his class.”Jennifer Sanchez“Throughout my seven years of studying with Craig, I observed his uncanny ability to introduce the artist to themself. He would consistently intuit exactly what each student required to use their entire being to tell truth through art. His role in my life has been immense both as an artist and a human.”Laura Dreyfuss“Craig’s teaching changed the course of my career. The work we did together re-shaped the relationship I have with song and gave me permission to ‘not perform’ and to trust that I am enough. Craig’s work creates an environment of vulnerability and honesty which results in searingly poignant communication between artist and audience. Beginning with my work in Craig’s class, I was able to build on that and have ended up in some of the smartest and most courageous rooms in New York.”Beth Malone“Craig Carnelia is perhaps the most influential teacher in my study of musical theatre. Coming from a strictly classical music background, I only understood acting on a performative level. Craig broke me of the habit of ‘just singing’ and freed me to communicate through song.”Elizabeth Stanley“Encountering Craig’s class was a pivotal moment in my journey as an actor. He has an uncanny ability to observe his students and draw out their truths by responding to what is most human in them. He is deeply present with his students, and that level of presence is something I continue to aspire to in my work and life.”Ato Blankson-Wood“I could write a book. Craig’s teaching is simultaneously tangible and visceral, yet also meditative and beyond the confines we set for ourselves. I cannot recommend him enough and hope this book inspires the creation of more studios and communities such as the one he created on West 72nd Street.”Erika Henningsen

• 1. Approaching the Song 2. Preparation 3. Action 4. About Music 5. Types of Songs 6. Invisible Partners 7. Auditioning 8. A Sense of Play 9. In Production 10. In Concert 11. Writers 12. Actors 13. In Closing