What Do You Do With A B.A. In English (from Avenue Q): Piano Vocal

Sharp and self aware. The song channels the specific panic of realizing your degree might not match the job market, wrapped in a melody that feels both vulnerable and wry. It's the musical theater equivalent of looking directly at the audience while asking an uncomfortable question.

This works well for vocalists comfortable with contemporary musical theater who want a piece that's funny without being a novelty song. It suits singers preparing for auditions, cabaret settings, or concert programs that need a moment of levity.

• Treat the phrasing like spoken dialogue set to music. The humor depends on naturalness, not legit opera singing, so encourage a conversational delivery that matches how someone would actually ask this question out loud.
• Keep the piano accompaniment bouncy and rhythmically tight. The comedic timing hinges on crisp rhythmic clarity, so lock in the groove between voice and piano during rehearsals.
• Let the character's frustration build slightly as the song progresses. The repeated question gains emotional weight when you track the growing panic underneath the comedy.

Pair this with other contemporary theater songs for a recital that explores modern anxieties through music. It also serves as a strong audition selection because casting directors recognize the song's specificity and enjoy hearing fresh interpretations of it.

• Delivering comedy through precise rhythmic clarity and strategic breath placement
• Balancing comedy and genuine emotion in character work
• Accompanying contemporary music with appropriate rhythmic groove and style
• Reading a straightforward piano/vocal arrangement with clear harmonic movement