Shar Shamai
Musical Theatre Creative | Vocal Coach
Shar has been exploring artistic ways to communicate stories his whole life.
After graduating with an MA in Classical Singing at the Jerusalem Academy of Music & Dance, he went on to study for his MA in Musical Theatre at Guildford School of Acting. Since then Shar has worked internationally as a vocal coach as well as a director.
When he is not teaching you will probably find him writing, composing or working on one of his many projects.
MY WRITING
Composer, Lyricist, and Poet.
Shar is currently collaborating as a playwright & lyricist on two new musical theatre pieces in Israel, the first, SONIA, is due to premier in December 2023 at the Haifa theatre - one of Israel’s biggest theatres. The second EXPOSED is currently under development.
In addition to that Shar writes and composes in various styles and genres, in Hebrew Shar is also a published poet. A short film based on a cycle of three poems by Shar was commissioned to be premiered at Worchester’s Loud & Queer Festival 2023.
THE jeWish CABARET
Shar co-founded the JEWish cabaret in 2016 together with David Djemal.
Shar wrote, composed, directed and produced several shows under the umbrella of The JEWish CABARET, a theatre group which aims to create innovative, socially aware, and entertaining music and theatre productions that challenge perceptions and stereotypes through humour and satire, while drawing from our Jewish and LGBTQ+ identity and culture.
The Group's Musical 'Café Named Desire' has been invited to tour in Israel after a successful production in London. With his theater group, Shahar he is currently working on a new original musical called Stages, which deals with the experiences of immigrants from different backgrounds in London’s performing arts industry.
Angela's Pen
A new cabaret song!
Written by - Shachar Shamai
Arranged by - Anna Senger
Performed by - Monika Lopuszynska & Alexandra Placzek
SAY SOMETHING
A stand-alone musical theatre ballad
I'M GONNA HAVE A BABY
A stand-alone musical theatre comedy song
EIGHT GAY JEWS IN LONDON
Written for the musical DATE.COM (Waterloo East theatre)
FROM THE PRESS:
"It is clear that Djemal and Shamai understand the ingredients of a successful musical."
Sepy Baghaei - London Pub Theatres Review
"Risky subject matter is niether new or scary for Shamai, who has been writing such songs as "Everybody Love a Dick Pic", "Eight Gay Jews in London"..."
Jennifer Greenberg - Jerusalem Post
Vocal Coaching
As a teacher Shar focuses on finding an ideal posture for singing, engaging body parts that are not creating restrictions on the throat and working with the whole body to find grounding and vocal freedom.
Since graduation GSA Shar's been teaching at PPA, ICMT, Urdang academy and other pre-academy schools such as TheatreTrain, Love Theatre Arts and was invited to teach and lecture in Israel, The Netherland and Italy. Meeting different kinds of students with different types of strengths and weaknesses and familiarizing himself with vast amount of repertoire.
Shar teaches singing technique in group sessions for musical theatre students as well actors with much less experience in singing. He teaches private singing students from first year to graduating – preparing them for auditions and improving their technique.
STUDENTS RECOMMEND:
Anna Oggero - singer, actress, dancer
“Shar made me improve as a singer as never before. His knowledge and experience make him a wonderful teacher.
He is passionate about theatre, and has so many talents that really make him a well rounded theatre professional.”
Ashley Racov - Actress, singer, producer
I have had over 25 years of vocal training and for a long time I felt that there were many doors that I could not open vocally. In the 3 years that I have been trained by Shar, I have managed to achieve what I thought I was incapable of and more! Not only that, but his lessons are fun and encouraging and full of knowledge that inspires you to keep working. I am so thankful that he is now my teacher!