Musical Theatre

Head of Program, Alan Shorter
Head of Vocal Program, Dr. Michael McKelvey

FACULTY

Alan Shorter, Group Voice, Acting a Song, Auditions, Musical Director
Dr. Michael McKelvey, Private Voice, Musical Theatre History
Kasey Eggleston, Broadway Choreography
Heather Huggins, Jazz Dance
Stacey Huston, Jazz & Musical Theatre Dance
Rona Ebert, Tap Dance
Lisa del Rosario, Ballet & Modern Dance

PHILOSOPHY

five... six... seven! Musical Theatre at TAP is the most intense program of its kind in Texas. In three short weeks we create not only amazing performers, but competent technicians well-versed in the language of their craft. Each week students are enrolled in rigorous programs in acting, dance and voice. Classes range from private voice lessons to choreography sessions where students study original choreography from Broadway's greats such as Bob Fosse and Michael Bennett. As musicians, students are guided through song-study and learn how to sing like their favorite Broadway pros: safely and healthily. Our study of musical theatre acting focuses on storytelling through song with students each leaving camp with several new songs ready for audition or performance.

CURRICULUM

Musical Theatre Majors are placed in groups based on skill, age and experience. During morning classes, they are combined with dance majors, rotating between dance disciplines: Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern and Hip Hop. Each student receives two 30 minute private voice lessons each week. In the afternoons, they attend classes in group voice, choreography and acting.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

PRIVATE VOICE

Learn the technical skills needed for healthy vocal production of all genres. Focus on breathing, projection, style, rhythm and musicality. Each lesson is tailor-made to the student's needs.

GROUP VOICE

You can't always sing alone. In Group Voice we strengthen ensemble singing capabilities and musicianship through an exploration of classical and Broadway songs.

ACTING A SONG

Tell a story like great Broadway stars. Learn to view vocal performance from an actor’s point of view.

CHOREOGRAPHY

A Chorus Line. Sweet Charity. Chicago. Study Broadway-style dance forms by learning original choreography from the leaders of musical theatre movement.

DANCE TECHNIQUE

Depending on level, Musical Theatre Majors take several dance technique classes with Dance Majors. Classes may include: Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Modern and Hip Hop.

MUSICAL THEATRE HISTORY

How did we get from Oklahoma to Wicked? Find out as Dr. Michael McKelvey explores the development of the American Musical. A large portion of the class will be spent listening to and/or viewing examples of important musicals that impacted the world of musical theatre by virtue of their content, structure and/or style.

AUDITIONS

Discover that auditions don't have to be terrifying. Learn from experience as we set-up mock auditions in class. Directors/instructors use their experience from both sides of the table to give students the "dos and don'ts" of the audition process, including music preparation, union regulations and appropriate music/monologue choice.

SPECIALS

Musical Theatre Majors have the opportunity to take make-up classes with David Valdes. David is a master at make-up for the stage. Beginners take the basics while more advanced students learn old age and scarring methods. Guest artists may be brought in for special topics such as Stage Combat, Resume Creation, Film Acting, Fosse Style, Partner Dancing, Acrobatics, etc.

REHEARSALS

Musical Theatre Majors rehearse song and dance numbers from musical theatre repertoire in the evenings. Some numbers will include the entire group of musical theatre majors, while many numbers will be smaller groups, duets or solos. Each participant will have the opportunity to audition for solos as well as featured singing, dancing and acting roles for the final showcase.

SHOWCASE

The selections for the final showcase reflect a variety of composers, choreographers and librettists from many different eras. Previous showcase material includes scenes and songs from Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along & Company, Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years & William Finn’s A New Brain. Original choreography to Fosse’s "Bye Bye Blackbird" and Michael Bennett’s "One" and numbers from Hairspray, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Footloose have been performed in past showcase performances.

BOARDING CAMPS

Senior Camp

Ages 13-18
Dates June 15 - July 5
General Tuition $2450
Filmmaking Tuition $2650
$500 deposit

Advanced Camp

Ages 15-18
Dates June 8 - July 5
Tuition $2850
$500 deposit

Junior Camp

Ages 9-12
Dates June 22-28, 2008
Tuition $1050
$200 Deposit

MEALS
Three meals a day are provided starting with dinner on Sunday and ending with lunch on Saturday.

DAY CAMPS

Youth Art Camp

Ages 5-10
Dates June 9-13
Half Days 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm $150
Full Days (ages 7-10 only) 9am-4pm $275
$100 Deposit

Ceramics Camp

Ages 12-17
Dates June 9-13
9am-12pm $150
$100 Deposit

Youth Musical Theatre Camp

Ages 5-10
Dates July 14-18
Half Days 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm $175
Full Days (ages 7-10 only) 9am-4pm $325
$100 Deposit

MEALS
Lunch is provided everyday for Full Day Campers and on Friday for all Musical Theatre Camp Participants.