How this Elphaba Standby Cools Down After a Two-Show Day

So you’ve been singing or speaking allllllll dang day… 

Rehearsals, recording sessions, another long teaching day, or maybe you just spent an hour belting out that new Lady Gaga song in the shower… 

And by the time you’re done, your voice is barely hanging on by a thread.

Scratchy. 

Tired. 

Like it’s begging for a break.

Now, imagine that instead of calling it a night, you had to be performance-ready again… at a moment’s notice.

That’s exactly the reality for singer and vocal coach, Emily Kristen Morris. 

She’s the standby for Elphaba in the Wicked national tour, which means she could get the call to go green and hit the stage with just a few hours' notice—no matter how much she’s already used her voice that day.

And when you’re expected to belt Defying Gravity like it’s effortless, taking care of your voice isn’t optional—it’s survival.

Lucky for us, Emily’s not just a powerhouse vocalist—she’s also a long-time friend and Singing / Straw™ fan. 

And she just shared her go-to vocal cool-down routine after a two-show day. 

Whether you’re a working singer or just trying to keep your voice in top shape, these tips are GOLD.

Step 1: Straw Phonation (Your Vocal Reset Button)

First up? 

Straw phonation slides. 

Emily starts with gentle slides down through her range, using a straw to make sure her vocal folds stay aligned, tension-free, and efficient.

Why does this work? 

Because straw phonation reduces vocal fatigue by balancing the air pressure in your voice. 

Think of it like a vocal massage—it helps release tension, smooth out any rough spots, and bring your voice back to neutral after a long day of singing.

💡 Try it yourself: Grab your Singing / Straw, slide down through your range, and see if your voice feels instantly lighter and freer.

Step 2: Jaw & Neck Release (Goodbye, Tension)

Singers don’t just carry tension in their voices—it builds up in the jaw, neck, and shoulders too. 

And when you’re singing demanding material, that tension can creep in without you even realizing it.

Emily takes a few moments to release it:

✔ Chest stretch: Place a hand on your chest for gentle resistance.
✔ Jaw & neck release: Jut your jaw forward slightly and tilt your head back. (You’ll feel this along the front of your neck.)
✔ Extra stretch: Exaggerate an underbite—it might look ridiculous, but it helps loosen tight muscles.
✔ Massage it out: Gently work through the masseter muscle (aka your jaw’s MVP) to release any hidden tension.

Step 3: More Straw Phonation to Lock It In

After stretching, Emily rounds out her cool-down with one last round of straw phonation slides. 

This helps seal in the reset and leaves her voice feeling refreshed, balanced, and ready—whether she’s called to step into the role that night or the next day.

Her verdict? 

A fully reset voice that’s ready for whatever comes next.

Why This Matters for YOU (Yes, Even If You’re Not Singing Defying Gravity)

You don’t have to be a touring artist to benefit from a cool-down routine. 

Whether you’re a voice teacher, gigging musician, worship leader, or just someone who loves to sing, ending your practice or performance with 5 minutes of vocal recovery can mean the difference between:

🚨 Waking up hoarse and frustrated
✅ Waking up ready to sing again

And if you really want to make your cool-downs as effective as possible, start with the same tool Emily (and thousands of other singers) swear by: the Singing / Straw.

Because whether you’re playing Elphaba or just belting along to the soundtrack in your car, your voice deserves the same level of care.

Get your Singing / Straw™ today and feel the difference.

Your not-so-basic-vocal coach,

Whitney Nichole