Harter Clingman learned about the National Music Theater Competition like most performers learn about NATS competitions, from his voice teacher. Harter has been working with Carol Loverde, his voice teacher, since 2009 when he was a student at Columbia College in Chicago and had studied with her while competing in the Chicago Chapter Music Theater Competition in 2010.  When she suggested he audition for NMTC she included four months of free voice lessons, which is where Harter’s journey began. As he tells it, “It was a very positive experience that just kept getting more positive.”

When he auditioned in Chicago, he felt great. He was honored to earn one of the alternate spots but admittedly frustrated. Then a few weeks before the competition he got a call and learned that there was a spot to fill in the semifinals. “My first thought was elation.” Said Harter, “My second thought was how am I going to get there?”

Thanks to airline vouchers from his parents, Harter was able to make his way to Orlando, FL to compete in the semi final round of the competition. When he didn’t make it into the finals he was disappointed, but Loverde helped steer him into The Ultimate Music Theater Audition Pre-Conference Workshop.  The panel workshop was an excellent experience for Harter.

“This is where the whole weekend began for me,” Harter explains, “I thought I was there for the competition, but [my experience] ended up being about the conference. It was a career booster that laid opportunities before me.”

Later Harter took advantage of the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line auditions being held in conjunction with the conference. As it turned out, someone from the panel had told the RCCL casting director about Harter. He worked his way through the callback process and to the final step of submitting his paperwork.  RCCL casts based on need and availability and Harter is officially in their system. Congratulations, Harter!

More about Harter

When you’re not performing, you’re…
Working on guitar. I’m doing that for myself and hopefully to do on stage someday. I love listening to new music. Most of the music I listen to is outside of the world of theater.  I’m drawn to the outdoors. I love watching movies,  but sometimes I need to wander aimlessly and I look for any opportunity to trek, hike, bike, or any of that sort of thing—Especially when it can be outside of the city. It let’s me breathe.

How would your fellow performers describe you?
I hope they would say I am personable, friendly, collaborative…and goofy too. I personally like to balance the goofy with professional.

What tips can you offer other singers preparing for competition and/or auditions?
The thing the competition has taught me…I now I feel the pressure to be on top of my game. Because I’ve put in the time, the necessary research, and really made sure that I was fighting for that job. Not only do I want to satisfy myself artistically, I want to support myself and make this a career, so preparation is key.  It may be cliché, but practice makes perfect.

What is your favorite thing about performing?
Research. I think that something that I value in approaching a new role is the opportunity to learn a new perspective.  If that perspective can come from something hands on – something that can give me a real world perspective. When I did Floyd Collins in college I said, “We have to do this. We have to go.”  And I went with six other cast members to Mammoth Cave. We talked to locals and our car broke down. People were generous enough to help us out. We went on cave tours, went to local restaurants, toured the area. The experience brought something for all six of us to that role that we weren’t used to feeling in a role. That is something I hope to have with more roles in the future. That is the most thrilling thing about this, finding a new perspective and bringing it to the stage.