MPulse Ann Arbor

Musical Theatre Workshop

July 6 - July 26, 2008

Session Fee: $2,925

Number of Participants:  approximately 30

Priority Application Deadlines: 

February 15 for recorded auditions

March 1 for Ann Arbor auditions on March 14 & 16

Brent Wagner, Director

The Musical Theatre Workshop is an exciting program which gives students the opportunity to work on the Ann Arbor campus with faculty members in the renowned University of Michigan Department of Musical Theatre. For the last 20 years, this highly-rated department has trained dozens of students who have gone on to careers on Broadway, in national and international tours, on television, and in film. Graduates have been nominated for Tony Awards, and now represent every major aspect of the profession in New York City, from actors and casting directors to producers and composers. A Michigan credit on a resume is a sign of skill, talent, and professionalism.

The Musical Theatre Workshop is designed for students who are considering BFA degree programs in college.  Extra workshop sessions are devoted to the application and audition process for university programs. The Musical Theatre Workshop is open to current high school juniors, although applications from current ninth and tenth graders of exceptional ability and experience are considered. Admission decisions are based on a student’s application (including training and experience), recommendation, transcript, and audition.  Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 (B average) or higher in standard academic classes.

Some of the topics the Workshop will explore include an analysis of song lyrics, acting techniques for song interpretation, dance styles of major choreographers, contemporary musical theatre in New York City, the vocabulary of the field, voice study, the wide range of repertoire for performers, monologue exploration, audition techniques, and creating character and situation.  Workshop students also will participate in a wide variety of master classes with faculty members from the Department of Musical Theatre, the Department of Theatre & Drama, and the Department of Dance.  Current musical theatre majors, as well as graduates of the Department, often assist in the classes.

Family and friends are invited to a final demonstration of techniques studied duriing the three weeks where students will share elements from their classwork.  This presentation will be held Saturday afternoon, July 26, in the historic Mendelssohn Theatre on the University of Michigan Central Campus. 

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Please review all of these requirements carefully. Your application will not be considered if it is incomplete at the time of the deadline.

Application Deadline

You may audition in person at the UM Earl V. Moore Building OR you may submit a DVD (preferred) or VHS tape.  Mini-discs will not be accepted.

NOTE:  If you wish to audition in Ann Arbor, all application materials must be received by March 1. 

You should apply online as soon as possible.   The online application will prompt you to print out an Application Confirmation page that you will sign and mail to the MPulse office along with your resume, photos, sealed official transcript, sealed recommendation, and application fee.  After all of these items are received and reviewed, you will be contacted via email regarding your audition request.  Ann Arbor audition dates cannot be held, scheduled, or confirmed without a complete application on file.

For those sending recorded audiitions, all application materials must be received by February 15 for priority consideration.    Applications (with recorded auditions only) may be accepted after these deadlines if openings remain.  Click here for current information regarding openings.  Requests for special audition dates cannot be accommodated.

Transcript

  

With your application materials, include an official transcript that has been sealed in a separate envelope by your high school counselor.  Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 (B average) or higher in standard academic classes.

  

Resume

  

Include a resume with your application, giving details of your training and/ or experience in music, theatre, and dance. NOTE: Although not required for the audition, the ability to read music is extremely valuable for participation.  Please be sure to describe your music reading skills in your list of training. Also, list any instruments that you play and the length of study.

    

Photographs

  

Include a color full-body AND color close-up photograph with your resume.  Applicants audiitioning via recording must submit hard copies of these photographs even if their recording contains these.

     

Recommendation

  

Ask a teacher (performing arts teacher preferred) who knows your work well to write a confidential recommendation for you. This should be included with your application (in a sealed envelope with the teacher's signature across the back seal). In addition to your abilities, the letter should discuss your personal characteristics such as initiative, maturity, leadership, and the ability to work with others.

  

Voice

  

Ann Arbor Auditions: Prepare one song, from a musical, which is no longer than one and a half minutes. An accompanist will be provided, or applicants may bring their own accompanist. However, no one will be permitted to sing without live piano accompaniment. Please bring a copy of the song in the key in which you will sing. Also, bring an additional 16-bar song with you, though you will not necessarily present this. Be sure that your music is clearly marked for the accompanist. 

Recorded Auditions: Record two complete, contrasting songs such as a ballad and an up-tempo song.  We strongly prefer that your pianist be in the room and accompanying you when the vocal recording is made. As a last resort, the accompaniment can be recorded at an earlier time by your accompanist and you can sing with that accompaniment.   We do not accept any other types of recorded accompaniments.

  

Acting

Prepare a short monologue (no dialects) from a full-length play written after 1935, memorized, and in context. Applicants should read and study the entire play.  For those who audition in person, the monologue should be no longer than one and a half minutes.

DVD/Video Instructions

   

• Include all of the audition requirements listed above on ONE DVD.
• Make sure that your face is clearly visible, with your upper body fairly near the camera and
  the background simple, uncluttered, and not too bright (e.g., in front of a window). Try to include
  a full-body and close-up shot at some point in the recording.  You must still submit hard copies of the two photos described above.
• Place the microphone close to you and away from the piano. Make sure that the piano has
  been tuned.
• Announce your name and the title of each selection.
• After you finish, take a moment to speak a little about your experiences in music or in
  theatre, and mention how you became interested in attending the MPulse Ann Arbor Musical Theatre Workshop.
• If you would like to include recorded selections from stage performances, put these on the SAME DVD after the
  songs and monologues required for the audition.
• If you have any dance experience, you may also include performance excerpts on the SAME DVD.

Live Audition Dates

    

Friday, March 14 – 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Sunday, March 16 – 12:30 to 5:00 PM

University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance

Earl V. Moore Building (North Campus)
1100 Baits Drive, Ann Arbor

If you request a live audition, you will be notified by email of your audition date and time.

Scholarships

A generous donor has offered significant scholarship assistance for one or two deserving students to attend the Musical Theatre Workshop.  If you wish to be considered for these funds, include in your application packet a letter of request that includes a brief description of your family’s financial status and any extenuating personal/family circumstances.  This letter may be written by you or a parent or guardian.

Acceptance Notification

  

Decision letters will be mailed by April 30.   Sorry, no decisions will be given by phone or email.

The General Iinformation link includes many important items.  Please click here if you have not yet read this information.

Click here to go to the Application web page.   

________________________________________________________________________________________

"My experience this summer at MPulse is one that I will carry with me forever. I learned a great deal in the three short weeks of the program, and I met an amazing group of generous and genuine individuals who were all committed to teamwork and to excellence. These new friends are not only talented, but they are determined and driven to do their best in everything they do. It is really exciting to know that I will one day encounter these people again and will probably work with many of them in the professional world  It was very difficult to say "goodbye" to a group that had practically become my family. I feel very lucky to have been given this "opportunity of a lifetime": not everyone gets the chance to work with and learn from such polished professors while still in high school. My experience at MPulse has inspired me to expect that there is always something I can do to improve my work as an artist."  Jessica (California, 2007)

"I went to the program expecting to review the basic theater techniques I already had learned and to only get more experience in what I already knew. It ended up being completely different. I tried things I'd never done before and was constantly being pushed to take risks. I view theater in an entirely different way now and am even more inspired to pursue theater. The program is very personal and everyone gets to know everyone. We all got specific attention and learned ways to improve ourselves. It was not a factory where they treat everyone as one person like so many other programs are. The other people were the most talented and supportive people I have ever met. They all had unique skills and were all incredibly positive about each others' accomplishments."   Charlie (Washington DC, 2007)

"This program expanded my knowledge of the performing arts more than I ever could have imagined and made me a more confident person; things that I have already been able to apply back at home. It was incredible to work directly with the director of one of the best musical theatre programs in the country, or the dean of admissions, or even someone who had performed on a Broadway stage. What I learned from this experience I will carry with me for the rest of my life."   Nick (Michigan, 2007)

"If you enjoy working hard on what you love, then MPulse is where you should go! I learned so much in so little time, it was amazing. I came back home saying and understanding things I didn't even realize I had studied!"  Alison (Pennsylvania, 2007)

"My experience at MPulse far exceeded my expectations. The training provided was superior to anything I had ever experienced. I now better understand Musical Theatre as an industry and as a career. What a thrill to work with Professor Wagner, Celia Keenan-Bolger, and other talented faculty. Spending three weeks of my summer with highly talented classmates was an honor and an incredible amount of fun! This experience has prepared me well for my future endeavors, and the memories will last a lifetime. Thank you MPulse!"   Brian (Michigan, 2007)

"Being in an environment where we were able to completely open up and absorb all types of new information, while surrounded by other kids who could teach us about their past theater experiences, was extremely valuable and an experience I will never forget. The sense of community felt by all the kids in all the programs-not just MTW, surrounded by supportive teachers and counselors, was overwhelming and emotionally powerful. I enjoyed every minute of the MPulse experience. I made friendships that I know will last for a much longer time that I could have ever imagined."  Christina (Ohio, 2007)

"The Musical Theatre Workshop not only helped me develop as a performer, it helped me grow as a person and allowed me to really learn about my strengths and weaknesses. The faculty has a very strong knowledge about the field and is also very passionate about teaching that learning from them and receiving so much individual support gave me so much confidence and love for performing. On top of that, you make really close friends with a group of kids who are so dedicated and passionate in everything that they do and so getting their support and love was something I have never experienced anywhere else. I highly recommend this workshop to ANYONE who is seriously thinking about musical theatre as something they want to pursue. There isn't anything else like it --- it changed my life!"  Han (Massachusetts, 2007)

"My experience consisted of a bunch of very talented people from different backgrounds coming together to share their love for musical theater and learn, from the most brilliant professors and people, the real world of Musical Theater."  Lauren (Wisconsin, 2007)

"At MPulse I really felt that all the staff took a personal interest in me. In three days all the resident life faculty knew my name and the state I was from. That's rare.  When I returned from MPulse, I was so anxious to do a show and apply all the skills and techniques I obtained that I didn't know what to do with myself.  I feel as though I have a leg up on everyone who didn't go to MPulse. There is nothing better than being with people who share your interests in the nurturing and positive atmosphere MPulse creates."  Charlie (Georgia, 2007)

"The experience I had this summer was one that can't be repeated anywhere else. With all the specialized expert teachings, the hard work, and great new friends it was truly a place where one's character and talent could thrive."  Emma (Michigan, 2007)

"MPulse was the most enjoyable three weeks of my life.The information given to us by the directors was extremely valuable and something I will remember for the rest of my life. The students whom I shared this experience with have become 29 of by best friends. We're all very close and it's an experience I wouldn't have traded for the world."  Brad (Michigan, 2007)