MUSIC DRAMA WORKSHOP

In the Department of Visual and Performing Arts’ Music Drama Workshop, students learn techniques of musical acting appropriate to all forms of Western music drama (including opera, operetta, and musical theatre) and apply them to public productions.  The philosophy of the ensemble is that all these forms of music drama are equally valid expressions of acting through the medium of music.  Spring shows are fully produced and performed in Spivey Hall with orchestral accompaniment.  Fall shows or scenes programs are performed in a variety of venues that may include school tours, Young People’s Concerts, performances for CSU classes, and off-campus performances.

Things to know:

• Participation is by audition only

• Some students are placed in the ensemble automatically by virtue of their scholarship auditions or their auditions for acceptance into the Performing Arts major.

• Any student may audition at the VPA Department General Auditions each spring or by contacting the director before the beginning of each semester.  Auditions must be completed by the end of the add-drop period each semester.

• Participation in productions requires enrollment in the 1-credit course, MUSC 3570

• Rehearsals are Fridays, 2:10-4:50 AND Tuesdays 3:35-6:15 (only 5:00-6:15 Fall semesters)

• Evening rehearsals are required each evening of production week

• Students in any major may participate.

• For some roles, music reading ability is required, but students who do not read music notation can participate and have done so in numerous productions.

• The staffing needs of the ensemble vary more greatly each semester than do those of a choir or orchestra, according to the specific repertoire being performed.  Consequently, it is possible that a student may successfully win a place in the ensemble for one production and then not do so for the next.

• Students interested in registering for the course and participating in a non-performance capacity (for example, stage management or technical theatre) should contact the director before the beginning of the semester.

The Audition