The Additional Demands on the Musical Theatre Performer and Potential Links to Increased Laryngeal Tension: A Rapid Review

Abstract

The Musical Theatre genre places a myriad of demands upon the performer. The complex nature of the artform results in additional physiological and psychological demands not found in other areas of the performing arts. There is a need to identify existing literature exploring these demands and the link to potential causes of laryngeal tension in musical theatre singers to both potentially mitigate vocal issues developing and support initial diagnosis and treatment for musical theatre performers diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia (MTD). This study aimed to identify and discuss existing literature documenting the current demands placed upon the musical theatre performer and the potential links to laryngeal tension of each. Evolving vocal demands, the demands of score and rehearsal, combined choreography and singing, the logistics of performing, and stress and anxiety are examined. The review concludes that each demand has the capacity to increase laryngeal tension, leading to the hypothesis that a combination of demands may compound the potential for detrimental tension further.