Next to Normal is a Pulitzer prize-winning rock musical, touching on the subjects of mental illness, loss, and grieving. With all this, the music of Next to Normal is both vocally demanding and intricate, demanding a careful approach when it comes to singing the songs.

The central character of the show is Diana, a woman fighting bipolar disorder and delusional episodes. The show is full of themes and elements that are open to exploration and study, but in terms of singing, it's clear that Next to Normal is meant to offer an intense emotional experience, through acting, singing, and music.

To sing like the characters in Next to Normal, the first step is to work on vocal technique. Singing can take a great deal of breath, and singers who want to truly convey the weight of the emotions behind each word will need to be able to sustain notes. Some techniques that may help with this include voice range and pitch tests to determine your optimal starting points relative to the songs, as well as regular breathing exercises.

Another important element of singing in this musical is to keep good posture and an open throat, which are important factors that contribute to healthy vocal production and are respectful to your vocal cords.

Next, begin to listen to the songs featured in the musical. This is important to get a feel for the dynamics and character of each song, and to start incorporating different styles and phrasing techniques that fit with the characters.

One of the most famous and emotionally demanding songs is "I Miss the Mountains", which shows the singer working through the loss of her sense of self and her inability to find her way back. Another stunning highlight is "You Don't Know", which explores the difficulties in relating to others when mental illness drives you further and further outside what is considered "normal." Both of these songs would be good places to start working your vocal chops.

If you want to go further, Singing Carrots provides courses to learn the fundamentals of vocal techniques and practical tips for singing in various styles. These exercises include diaphragmatic breathing, vocal warm-ups that focus on voice registers, twang techniques, and mixed voice. Vocal training through Singing Carrots can help people build a strong set of vocal skills that are transferrable to any type of song or character that they might want to work on.