2024 "FOCUS ON YOUTH":
FEATURED EMERGING ARTIST
Singer & Actor:
Saige Valentino
Saige as "Matilda"
Photo Courtesy: Saige Valentino
Photo Courtesy: Saige Valentino
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Saige Valentino is an actor and singer from Pine Bush, New York, who plans to attend the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music for a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance.
An avid performer, she has worked with multiple theater companies, including Standing Room Only Theater Company and Star2B Performing Arts, both located in Poughkeepsie, New York, and Pine Bush Drama, her school theater department. Some of her favorite roles include Gertrude McFuzz (Seussical), Cosette (Les Miserables), Joanne Jefferson (Rent), and Matilda (Matilda). She is also an active member of the community, as secretary of her school’s Interact Club and a volunteer with the local middle school drama club as music director. Apart from performing, Saige also loves playing the oboe, tennis, animals, live music, and exploring nature. In the future, Saige hopes to be able to continue to perform for a living and to help rescue stray animals in her spare time. "Most of the time when I am acting or singing, I am not thinking about what words come next; instead, I am internalizing the emotions that the words provide." ~ Saige Valentino |
Proud Sponsor of 2024 FOCUS ON YOUTH:
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Saige discusses what she loves most about singing and theatrical performance as well as how to balance demanding academics with a busy performance schedule.
You've had an abundance of success so far as a vocal performer. But you've also performed in many plays. What was your first love — singing or theater?
My first love was definitely singing. One of my earliest memories is of me singing in the car and going between my ‘princess voice’ and ‘rockstar voice’ (head voice and chest voice). However, I think the storytelling aspect of musical theater takes songs to a whole new level.
Have you always enjoyed being on stage?
Yes. One thing I was never afraid of is attention (Ha!). I love my artistry, and I love even more to share it with other people.
What do you appreciate the most about being part of a cast?
What I appreciate the most about being part of a cast is the comradery and sense of family. Despite our differences, each cast member is a lover of music coming together to share a common interest. Being surrounded by these people almost 24/7, you get to know almost every part of them — good and bad — like in a real family.
You've had an abundance of success so far as a vocal performer. But you've also performed in many plays. What was your first love — singing or theater?
My first love was definitely singing. One of my earliest memories is of me singing in the car and going between my ‘princess voice’ and ‘rockstar voice’ (head voice and chest voice). However, I think the storytelling aspect of musical theater takes songs to a whole new level.
Have you always enjoyed being on stage?
Yes. One thing I was never afraid of is attention (Ha!). I love my artistry, and I love even more to share it with other people.
What do you appreciate the most about being part of a cast?
What I appreciate the most about being part of a cast is the comradery and sense of family. Despite our differences, each cast member is a lover of music coming together to share a common interest. Being surrounded by these people almost 24/7, you get to know almost every part of them — good and bad — like in a real family.
What do you do to prepare for a role (to get into character)?
To prepare for a role, I normally watch a video of the production, professional if I can find one (but high school productions work fine), just to see the story unfold on stage. Then I read through my script and try to figure out the character’s main attributes and motivations. Once I have this baseline, I memorize my lines and songs backwards and forwards. This way, I can focus on making the character my own, pulling from my own experiences to make everything more real. Most of the time when I am acting or singing, I am not thinking about what words come next; instead, I am internalizing the emotions that the words provide.
How do you keep your vocal cords healthy?
Throat coat tea and listening to my body. If you’re singing a certain way, and it doesn’t feel free and comfortable, you are actively hurting your voice. Even if it produces the desired sound, stop! It is so common for young girls to belt their faces off in order to get that Broadway sound, but it is very damaging to your voice, especially as a growing young musician. Safe singing techniques, such as mixing, are much more beneficial in the long run.
To prepare for a role, I normally watch a video of the production, professional if I can find one (but high school productions work fine), just to see the story unfold on stage. Then I read through my script and try to figure out the character’s main attributes and motivations. Once I have this baseline, I memorize my lines and songs backwards and forwards. This way, I can focus on making the character my own, pulling from my own experiences to make everything more real. Most of the time when I am acting or singing, I am not thinking about what words come next; instead, I am internalizing the emotions that the words provide.
How do you keep your vocal cords healthy?
Throat coat tea and listening to my body. If you’re singing a certain way, and it doesn’t feel free and comfortable, you are actively hurting your voice. Even if it produces the desired sound, stop! It is so common for young girls to belt their faces off in order to get that Broadway sound, but it is very damaging to your voice, especially as a growing young musician. Safe singing techniques, such as mixing, are much more beneficial in the long run.
Were you always comfortable as a soloist?
Yes. I’ve never been an anxious performer, because at that point I already have the role, and if the directors think I deserve it, why shouldn't I feel comfortable? I do, however, get audition anxiety, because at this point, I haven't earned anything. The pressure to do well and prove my worth can sometimes be insurmountable.
Are there any stage mishaps you'd like to share and how you got through it?
I’ve had quite a few stage mishaps, but I’ll only share one. While theater isn’t technically a sport, I’ve had many bruises that say otherwise. I was in Seussical during the COVID-19 pandemic, so the production took place outdoors. There were only real stairs on one side of the stage; on the other side, my company placed stair blocks. The ground outside was slightly unlevel, and as I was leaving the stage after The Biggest Blame Fool Reprise, my foot hit the corner of the stairs and the whole thing tilted and threw off my balance. I ended up diving into the bushes that hid the stage left entrance, attempting to avoid falling face-first into concrete in full view of the audience. I was playing a bird, so many people took it as an acting choice.
Yes. I’ve never been an anxious performer, because at that point I already have the role, and if the directors think I deserve it, why shouldn't I feel comfortable? I do, however, get audition anxiety, because at this point, I haven't earned anything. The pressure to do well and prove my worth can sometimes be insurmountable.
Are there any stage mishaps you'd like to share and how you got through it?
I’ve had quite a few stage mishaps, but I’ll only share one. While theater isn’t technically a sport, I’ve had many bruises that say otherwise. I was in Seussical during the COVID-19 pandemic, so the production took place outdoors. There were only real stairs on one side of the stage; on the other side, my company placed stair blocks. The ground outside was slightly unlevel, and as I was leaving the stage after The Biggest Blame Fool Reprise, my foot hit the corner of the stairs and the whole thing tilted and threw off my balance. I ended up diving into the bushes that hid the stage left entrance, attempting to avoid falling face-first into concrete in full view of the audience. I was playing a bird, so many people took it as an acting choice.
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You're a top student. How do you juggle academics with extracurricular activities?
Communication, a little bit of luck, and not a lot of sleep. I have a wonderful support system of teachers and directors who know my crazy schedule and work with me. They understand my need for accommodations because I actively communicate with them. I am insurmountably lucky and grateful to have these people who listen and are there for me. [It’s the combination of this support system] and the sacrifice of [a shorter] sleep schedule that allows me to balance my passion for learning and music all at once. What's your advice to other young people who are planning a career in music or theater? My advice: 1. Have a backup plan. 2. If you plan to study music in college, start the application process as early as possible. There are so many extra steps when it comes to applying for specialized music programs in college, and this can seem daunting and overwhelming. Most schools use a pre-screening process to filter applicants, and there is the second round of in-person auditions. Some schools do rolling pre-screens, meaning they have a certain amount of audition slots, and they accept or reject people as they come in. So, your likelihood of passing prescreens rises insurmountably the earlier you submit them. |
Saige is the 2024 PBHS Valedictorian
Photo Courtesy: Saige Valentino |
You're starting college this fall. What are you most excited about?
I am most excited to learn about music all day every day. Of course, I took every music class my high school had to offer, but this was in addition to my general education studies. Now, I get to spend my days dedicated to what I am really passionate about, with general education no longer my main focus.
I am most excited to learn about music all day every day. Of course, I took every music class my high school had to offer, but this was in addition to my general education studies. Now, I get to spend my days dedicated to what I am really passionate about, with general education no longer my main focus.
