OCU Summer Musical Theater

College Majors Musical Theater Major
21

<p>My D is having a great time as well. She was called back FOUR times for the part of Cosette, was one of the final four girls being considered, but did not end up with the part. She was disappointed, of course, but is still enjoying being a part of Les Miz!!!! </p>

<p>Here is an update that was sent to the parents by email:</p>

<p>"Dear Parents,<br>
It's only been a few days, but we are well on our way to an exciting summer!
On Sunday night, the students went through orientation (better know the
rules!), music theory testing and dance leveling. The next day at 9AM, they
started their morning core classes of dance, acting and music theory (on
Monday, Wednesday and Friday) or group piano (on Tuesday and Thursday). The afternoon master class on Monday was with Dr. Herendeen and focused on audition preparation for the Les Miz auditions. Monday night, everyone
auditioned and callbacks took place. By Tuesday afternoon, the show was
cast and music rehearsals began. Tuesday night began show staging in the
legendary Kirkpatrick Theater where the cast staged the Act I finale "One
Day More."</p>

<p>And that, my friends, is just two days at OCU!"</p>

22

<p>What I noticed about the schedule is that is very much the same as the college MT program, I think it's a great way for kids to get a taste of a college MT program!</p>

23

<p>Yes, I agree srw!! That is one of the main reasons we wanted our daughter to go.</p>

24

<p>Another OCU summer update:</p>

<p>"It's only been six days, but our talented students have already spent 30
hours in morning and afternoon classes, plus another 14 hours of rehearsals
for "Les Miserables." And We're only getting started!</p>

<p>This week, the students have had morning classes of acting, jazz dance, and
piano and/or music theory, plus afternoon master classes such as audition
preparation, vocal health, Tai Chi, Performance Psychology, and a vocal
master class with OCU professor Jan McDaniel. At night, they have been busy
finishing up Act One of "Les Miz." Our students will have less than two
weeks rehearsal time to learn their lines and get the show ready for our
audiences.</p>

<p>On Saturday, students will choose their classes with our Saturday Electives.
They can choose three of four classes * Tap, Pilates, Make-Up lab and Group
Piano. On Sunday, we have the first "Stars Cabaret" where students will be
able to perform a song for the whole group."</p>

25

<p>Just returned home with DD last night. Wow!! I was so impressed with OCU!! The performance, "Les Miz" was fantastic. Really great talent and amazing that they put it all together in 16 days!! The campus, and facilities, and faculty were all impressive. Dr. Herendeen, in particular, seemed to be such an incredible person. He is extremely kind and really seemed to take a personal interest in all of the kids present. </p>

<p>My daughter says that she had the time of her life. She was very tearful leaving all of her new friends. She now has OCU at the top of her "list" and seems to be very emotionally attached to the MT program as she said that she learned so much in only three weeks, that she can only imagine what it would be like in the actual program!
I am so grateful to CC because it was here that I learned of OCU summer pre-college program in the first place.</p>

26

<p>I concur with everything TxKatsmom says about the OCU program. We just returned as well and were incredibly impressed with the caliber of performance mounted in just 16 days! As Dr. Herendeen noted, the production was on top of 15 hours of dance, 15 hours of acting, 15 hours of music theory and piano, over 28 hours of master classes, prep for a parent cabaret, two student cabarets, and more! The facilities are gorgeous; the website photos really don't do them justice. We had heard about the program from someone who went last year, but the program seems to improve each year. Improvements this year included two shows which permitted some double-casting for girls; dance classes all taught by dance faculty members (a huge plus for my D); Saturday electives which included Tap, pilates, etc.; and a bigger investment in tech which helped make the production even more spectacular without detracting from the kids' performances. My D is also in a state of withdrawal from her incredible experience at OCU.</p>

27

<p>My daughter loved the school and the program. She said the kids had absolutely fantastic voices and were well trained. She said she learned a lot during the classes, especially the tips on auditioning (which she will be doing soon). </p>

<p>She doesn't have her 'heart set on' OCU only, but it is among her top three choices and she said she would gladly accept if offered a spot.</p>

<p>I am also keeping OCU summer in mind for my rising Vocal Performance freshman daughter for the years to come. It is an affordable alternative to the $5, $6 and $7K northeastern programs.</p>

28

<p>I agree with you about the cost. The quality of the instructors are amazing. And what I like about them is they are true teachers. I have sent my D to other camps but while they have had impressive points none have prepared her for life beyond camp as well. This staff took the time to get to know the kids and help them as individuals. I like the fact they audition students to get in, it makes for a more intimate experience and I feel it is not just about how much money they could make but how they can best prepare them for the real world of musical theater, they were tough but loving.</p>

29

<p>My D. absolutely loved OCU. She also thought Dr. Herendeen was incredible. My husband and I absolutely loved Les Mis. I can't wait for the DVD to arrive. My d. was also very impressed with the dance program. She tells me that the MT kids can take dance with the dance majors. I am hoping that is the case for the advanced dancers. We may be flying back to OCU for the November auditions.</p>

30

<p>My D will only be a Junior this year, but definitely plans on auditioning next year. Chelle, let us know if your daughter decides to audition. Did she play Eponine the second performance night? If so, she is VERY talented.</p>

31

<p>My D went to summer camp last year, and we just dropped her off to start at OCU as a freshman yesterday.</p>

<p>One big benefit of the summer camp was that she already knew a lot of other people from her camp experience who were also starting at OCU. It was nice to be able to start off with some good friends already made!</p>

32

<p>Yes, My d is auditioning on in November. OCU is one of her top 4 schools. TXKatsmom, Do you have a daughter at U of M?</p>

33

<p>So I've REALLY heard mixed things about the summer program - someone who I'm not going to name in case she doesn't want it discussed on the board actually messaged me telling me that her daughter had basically had a HORRIBLE time at the program and that they had really endangered her vocal health, etc. </p>

<p>The thing is before that a lot of what I had heard from various people <em>was</em> positive, so I sent out facebook messages to people in the groups. </p>

<p>I'm just going to copy the replies I got over here...</p>

<p>1)
"hey. wow... i'd be interested to know who it is that you talked to that had an experience that horrible. basically, you can strengthen all three angles for being a triple threat, but ocu camp is best for singers because that is what they focus on the most and base their choices on for casting leads. if you are a dancer, you'll do a lot of dancing but probably be in the ensemble. if you are an actor and acting is WAY more important to you than the other two, i wouldn't choose ocu for a summer camp. i am a dancer, but acting is my main focus, but i had a blast because i made great friends and i got to become stronger in my singing.</p>

<p>there are great people here who know what they're doing. i'd definitely say your source must have either had a bad social experience or wasn't cast in the role he/she wanted. i didn't get a lead either year i went, but now the director (dr. herendeen- head of music theatre at ocu) knows me and recognizes me for being a leader of the group.</p>

<p>if you work hard, you'll be remembered and appreciated. the living spaces are fine, nothing fancy, but i never had any major problems. you are very rarely in your room. you do work hard with long hours, but you're always having fun and if you're responsible with the rest time you're given you'll have enough. i don't know where they got the no laundry idea, there's definitely a laundry service. and.. the food? i like the food, i'm not a picky eater.. don't really have any complaints there.</p>

<p>basically, i'd recommend it obviously because i ended up coming to school at ocu after two years of camp. and most of the best friends i have here i met at camp, and i still keep in close touch with people that ended up at other schools... i know now I'M ranting, but i really am glad i came here, it gave me great connections to other theatre people. so.. ultimately, i'd say go for it! hope this helps" </p>

<p>2) "hi! i'd be happy to tell you about my experience there. Overall, the only good thing for me was that I found out that I didn't want to go there for school. I also found out that I didn't want to go to a musical theatre school where the musical theatre major is under the school of music. i believe that acting is the number one thing in musical theatre and, at ocu i dont believe they put enough focus on it at all. and yes, MAJOR BIAS IN CASTING. Major. i was in Bye Bye birdie and, near the end of rehearsals we had an understudy rehearsal. Afterwards, everyone agreed that the understudies were all better than the ones who had gotten the roles. But, the ones who had gotten the roles had either a special connection with the director or had gone to the camp before. That was probably the most dissapointing thing about the camp to me- that it just wasn't cast honestly, and it showed. The food was bad, yes. The rooms were gross, yes. Overall, good for me only because i found out what kind of school I didn't want to go to." </p>

<p>3)
"hey girl!</p>

<p>Alright....let me just start by saying that dorms and laundry should be the LEAST of your concern...because where ever you go its going to be disgusting...cause its a dorm and a like 1000 people have lived there. And the food...again...every college will be the same...the food is gross and theres nothing you can do about it...(it wasn't THAT bad at OCU...i just always ate salad :)</p>

<p>But i really enjoyed OCU...Dr. Herendeen is really good and all of the vocal staff if fabulous! The days wern't THAT long...but come time of the show its nothing more than normal....i mean yeah sometimes we didn't get out until midnight...but thats musical theatre for ya...and i think the vocal rest is all up to you. I mean you can stay up late and scream and yell and never sleep and yeah your voice will probably be shot for the show....but its all about the decisions you make.</p>

<p>its long days...but not so long that you can't socialize and have fun...but you will learn ALOT</p>

<p>also they just built this AMAZING new music center that is absolutely BEAUTIFUL...we got to sing in it last year and it was amazing! like its literally the best music center in the country! its like every performers dream to practice in a place like that....cause anywhere else is going to be old buildings and ****ty practice rooms.</p>

<p>so yeah i really enjoyed it and i made some of my BEST friends there and we all still keep in touch!!</p>

<p>if you have any more questions or just wanna talk let me know!!!" </p>

<p>so yeah. right now it's pretty much 50/50 and i have no idea what to think.</p>

34

<p>Yes, the lodging wasn't spectacular (show me a college dorm that is) and yes, my daughter said the food was hit and miss (similar to most) but she loved the summer experience and will be auditioning in either November or February.</p>

<p>She was disappointed in the role she got, but felt it was dealt with fairly and she would really like to attend. The days were very long, but as one other person said, that's MT.</p>

<p>And for the person who didn't like it, that's what the program is for too. I told my daughter that the program was to see how she stacked up against other good kids, to see how OCU teachers liked her and to see if she liked the campus/school. Oh yeah, and I didn't tell her we wanted to test her being away from home.</p>

<p>I think she came away feeling she stacked up well, the teachers did like her and appreciate her hard work and she liked the school. She learned some things she needs to work harder on and got some valuable tips on auditioning, head shots, etc...</p>

<p>Yes, any child can have a bad experience anywhere and there will always be the potential for cliques, but that can happen anywhere. I actually have found MT kids to be among the friendliest and most helpful.</p>

35

<p>My d. also had the experience of a life time. She had exhausted the opportunities available at home. The last few summer session she attended here were not challenging enough for her. She found OCU rigorous and thrived on it. Her goal was to improve in every aspect of MT. To do that you need to challenge yourself. She thought the dance was outstanding, learned a lot from acting, but most of all she couldn't say enough great things about Dr. Herendeen. My only complaint was that the piano and Music Theory seemed to be too basic. They should have had leveling for that. (I don't know if she agrees) No, the food wasn't the greatest, but the social encounters made up for any lack of frills. She hasn't been off the phone with her OCU friends since she left. She can't wait to reunite in Nov. when we go for auditions. She didn't seem to miss the fireworks or the Amusement Park. However, it could be because her focus was on MT. That was her priority.</p>

<p>When she left for OCU, I also felt that it would give her the opportunity to see if she wanted to audition there or not. I wanted to see how she handled being so far from home. I also wanted her to meet the faculty and see if she liked them. D. is a vocal student first, dance comes in a close 2nd and acting third. Perhaps that is why the OCU program is so appealing to her. I'm sure her positive experience also has a lot to do with it.</p>

36

<p>Hi 'chelle,</p>

<p>We are from PA (not quite as far as you I think but close) and so far we love OCU! Even if it is FAR away! D has auditioned for a musical, a bunch of straight shows(and she had 3 callbacks for that) and will be auditioning for the operas this weekend - and this is in the first week. She loves all her instructors and is just so happy to be there. </p>

<p>Based on previous messages, I get the sense your D is a good student and we were told at orientation that the incoming freshman were some of the highest scoring students enrolled so far- at least 3 NM Finalists as well so I think academically it is a great place too.</p>

<p>My D plans to ' help out' at auditions if she can. Feel free to ask any questions about the first year experience.</p>

<p>MikksMom</p>

37

<p>Hi Mikksmom, Thanks, D. is still working on the Michigan appl. OCU was a much easier process, so far. First she set the audition and later she will complete the application. We are hoping to see the Opera showing on the weekend of November auditions. Let me know if your daughter is in it. We'd love to see her. My d. really wants to see "Little Women". She has been singing the music all month. Let me know which plays she gets into. It all seems so exciting.</p>

38

<p>I already posted this on the main Message Board, but I thought I would copy my post here, too:</p>

<p>OCU already is starting auditions for the 2008 summer program!!!!! Texas auditions are this week. Then they will be in Ohio, Michigan, Fl, NY, and CA. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.okcu.edu/music/academy/audition.aspx%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.okcu.edu/music/academy/audition.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>They don't have the summer dates finalized, yet, but the tuition information (tuition went up!!!) and audition requirements are posted on the website. It looks like they are going to require a theatrical monologue this year along with two contrasting songs (monologue was not previously required). </p>

<p>Just thought I'd let those who were interested know! </p>

<p><a href="http://www.okcu.edu/music/academy/hsmtp.aspx%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.okcu.edu/music/academy/hsmtp.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

39

<p>Dates for the 2008 summer MT program were announced yesterday:</p>

<p>HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATER PROGRAM</p>

<p>Session I: June 14 - July 6
Session II: July 12 - August 2 </p>

<p>VOCAL ARTS INSTITUTE</p>

<p>June 28 - July 12</p>

40

<p>When do they announce which musical they will do for the summer 2008 season?</p>