@arisamp We were late realizing this. It is somewhere in all the material they send you. I suggest you just send an e-mail to JoBeth Moad and tell her you are interested. She was always very helpful to us. I’m sorry I don’t know the exact cost but since we did not do it I do not know.
I did the summer program last year and it was so amazing! I would bring some protein bars or snacks with you for the long rehearsal nights, since it’s so busy and you’re doing so much – The cafeteria had good food, it was just convenient to have some protein bars. They did have Cliff bars in the store though. And everybody usually had snacks and hung out in the dorms before they went to bed. Also, bring dance gear and cool clothes for Oklahoma – IT IS HOT! Granted, I was coming from a very northern state, but it is still hot. And you might want to put money on the star card for laundry and PRINTING SHEET MUSIC!!! There is a music library and it is amazing and you have to go there! It was such a great experience and you will have so much fun and learn so much!!!
Is anyone planning on going this summer? My D is going to the 3 week program. Legally Blonde is the performance at the end.
@momma2four I sent you a PM.
My daughter is going to the 3 week musical theater intensive on July 11th, 2015. She is super excited! First time going to OCU… ( we are from MA so trying not to be worried about tornados… We have never been to this area of the country- so should be a learning experience)I had never heard of the program, but one of my daughters classmates went 2 years ago and loved it! I am hoping it will be an amazing experience for her… Fingers crossed! Now on to booking the airfare!
Our D went to the 3 week intensive when she was in high school and it was a life changing experience. She made incredible friends who are now in MT programs all over the country. And she learned an amazing amount about musical theater and what it would be like to study MT in college. AND she got to put on a show of great quality with friends she adores. I’m delighted to say she is now attending OCU in the MT program for college. She could not be happier.
Several of Ds friends will be working at the camp this summer and they are all delightful. If you have any questions, feel free to message me. Hope your D has a fabulous time!
That’s great your daughter had a wonderful experience and is now a student at OCU in the musical theater program! Hoping my daughter has the same great experience! I’m concerned because it’s so far from home (we are from boston)…we don’t have any family in Midwest …tornados and flash floods are freaking me out a little bit but I’m sure she’ll be fine!!! I feel confident that she’s going to have a fabulous time and learn a lot!! One of the students in my daughters drama department at our high school went to OCU 2 years ago …he’s immensely talented …even though he was only cast in the ensemble- he told my daughter that he still had a fabulous time!!! And this is from a kid who starred in every musical in high school!!
I think that’s one of the great things about going to these camps. Kids are suddenly in a pool of people who are all really talented. So not all of them can have a starring role. For many it’s a big eye opener for how tough it could be to pursue a career in MT. For others it’s an affirmation that this is their true passion. And for some they realize some of their areas that need work, and it becomes a big motivator to continue training and improving to help them reach their goals. OCU fosters an incredibly nurturing and supportive environment while teaching kids what they need to survive in what is often a cutthroat business. The kids really bond and will be lifelong friends.
Oops and I meant to say, we are not from that area either. OK is pretty far from our home too- we are about a 13-14 hour drive (we live in the Southeastern part of the US). But OCU is well equipped to handle any weather issues. I know it is a funny feeling to send them so far away. But when you realize how happy they are, it is all worth it 
Well said! Where else did your daughter apply besides OCU?? And do you feel she is getting enough training in acting?
As far as acting training goes, even though MT is a Bachelor of Music degree at OCU, it is possible to take an acting class every semester if you schedule correctly. And the training is good - especially if you really make the most of your classes and opportunities. Additionally there is a new Dean of the Theatre School that is doing really great things including starting the OCU-LA spring break program and bringing in actors like Jason Alexander to conduct master classes with the students. I think the acting training is good but will be even better in the next few years. The theater school mounts a tremendous number of productions so there are lots of opportunities to audition and perform in straight shows. They are doing a production of Peter and the Starcatcher in the Fall with City Rep, an equity theater in OKC. Students in that show will have an opportunity to earn EMC points and have a professional credit on their resume. They did something similar with a production of The Grapes of Wrath last year. And interestingly, a couple of recent Acting grads currently have lead roles in National tours of musicals (Katie Postotnik in Ghost and Alex Enterline in Nice Work If You Can Get It.).
D applied to more traditional campuses - no conservatories or big city schools. But places like CMU, Penn State, Elon, Michigan, Coastal, Rider, TCU, Ohio Northern and Syracuse.
Thanks for this information- it’s very helpful! Wondering if you ever flew into Dallas- and rented a car to drive to OCU??? I am having such trouble finding flights to OCU from Boston that are somewhat affordable…so much cheaper to fly into Dallas and drive a couple of hours… Thought we could stay at hotel in airport the night before camp starts… Then drive the 3.5 hours in am to OCU. Only thing stopping me is the thought of a tornado appearing as we are driving!!! I have been reading up on the Tornado that was in Moore, OK a couple of years ago… Was very close to OCU… And had 385 MPH winds. Hoping that was a once in a lifetime type of thing, BUT Oklahoma City IS In Tornado Alley, so my fears are not without merit! Lol!
I have never flown into Dallas, but D has driven from OKC to Dallas a couple of times for various events. She has had no issues. It is about a 3 hour drive. So if there is a significant cost savings, you may wish to consider doing that. We have had decent luck with fares with American Airlines. Some people have good luck with Southwest but we never seem to find discounted fares from our area to OKC on Southwest. Last time I went, Delta had the best price.
My D has visited the schools in Moore to do some community service work. It was an unusually fierce storm as I understand it.
@duxellen I have friends who are from OKC and lived in Dallas for a long time. They say the drive is very easy and about 3 hours. Southwest allows each person 2 free checked bags, so that may be a good way to go for a 3-week program!
Thank you for all of this information- it s very helpful! I did some sleuthing and discovered there are some nice hotels in the airport…so thought it would actually be so convenient to fly into DFW… Check into hotel… And head out in morning to OCU…will check southwest…I know I am being paranoid, but if we are en route to OCU and there is a tornado, what would be the best way to stay safe when we are not from the area? It s not like we can go knock on someone’s door and ask to use their basement! Go to the nearest McDonalds for shelter? Lol!!! And what’s a good weather app to keep us posted of Weather conditions?? Thanks everyone-
The likelihood of a tornado happening while you are there is very slim, but if it does, here is what we’ve been told you should do:
go to the closest sturdy building, in it’s lowest level, away from windows. If no basement, an interior room or closet with no windows is best. If a McDonalds is the closest thing, by all means seek shelter there.
I don’t know apps, but yesterday we were driving in another state during a horrible rain storm. Flash flood warnings came over all our phones (AT&T). So you may not need an app to receive warnings. Check with your carrier to see.
Make sure you understand the difference between a watch (conditions are favorable for torndos to occur but one has not yet been seen). And a warning (rotation has been detected and could be in your area in 30 minutes to an hour). Please know watches and warnings are issued very frequently. Heed the advice and seek shelter. But don’t panic. Most of the time they end up turning out to be nothing.
In the highly unlikely event that you were to be on the road during a tornado and you do not have time to seek shelter, - get out of your car and find the lowest point you can that shouldn’t flood. ( Do NOT get under an overpass. The wind is actually worse there.). Lay flat and cover your head.
Again, these are all very, very unlikely scenarios to occur. But hopefully this info helps. Try not to worry too much.
Also for anyone else reading this - please do not be afraid of Oklahoma! Although I very much appreciate @duxellen 's concerns, I don’t want it to scare anyone away from considering schools in that part of the country. OCU has a fantastic camp and is a fantastic place to go to school. Like most states, there are occasional severe weather days. But nothing to be alarmed about.
@duxellen, if you would like to talk, I can share all of our experiences with Oklahoma. We are right outside of Boston. Daughter just graduated from Berklee College of Music. Son went to the Summer Academy at OCU last summer, LOVED it. OCU became his first choice and he is attending the school in the fall. He is also doing five weeks there again this summer. The first two in their, I think, new acting program. The second three in the musical theater program. Last year, we put him on a plane, Southwest, with two suitcases. OCU met him there, brought him to the school. Hubby and I drove out to see the final show. On the way back, we did a route looking at all types of schools. It opened his eyes that there were other schools out there, and he was also able to figure out that there were some he didn’t want to go to. OCU remained his first choice based on his summer program experience. My son and I flew out to OKC for auditions in November and he heard in December. He didn’t finish filling out his other applications and we didn’t go to Unifieds. He was happy. My pocketbook was happy as well. He received a talent scholarship and an academic scholarship. I’ll pm you…
My daughter has been at OCU the past 2 weeks and has loved every minute! Their summer program is intensive but has been such a great experience.
Regarding tornados and other severe weather…massive weather situations are possible but not likely in July in Oklahoma. But, we have the best meteorologists in the U.S. so when storms occur, there is normally ample warning. We have been stopped on the interstate by highway patrols to allow for a storm to pass in front of us. People are pretty weather aware around OK.
I would assume you already have flight tickets for this summer, but for anyone else, I would recommend paying the extra to fly into OKC. Traffic is pretty heavy between Dallas and OKC and could create some unnecessary stress.
Happy to report that my daughter had a wonderful time at OCU musical theater camp this summer! All my worries about the weather were for naught… It was hot, , but no tornadoes! The professors were incredible, the experience intense and professional- the counselors were so supportive and wonderful! She learned a lot about herself… She told me - “Mom- they really know what they’re doing there”… Dont hesitate to go if you are accepted…A Plus!!! Just wish it wasn’t so far away from East Coast…