Opera and Musical Theatre

More about Musical Theatre Program Here 

Degree Programs

• Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre*
• Master of Music in Opera/Vocal Performance

*School of Performing Arts; other degrees housed in the School of Music

About Vocal Performance

All Vocal Performance degrees meet NASM certification. They are structured to provide a high technical level of musical and vocal ability while also developing the acting, movement, language, auditioning and business skills essential for those wishing to enter the contemporary operatic market. In addition to performing in operas and musicals, course work includes:

Auditions
Wichita State University holds scholarship auditions on the WSU campus during November and February/March for the following programs: BFA in Musical Theatre, BM in Vocal Performance, and MM in Voice/Opera. Auditions at other times of year can be arranged. DVD, CD or internet auditions may be considered in the event that a personal audition is impossible.

Audition Requirements for Vocal Performance Majors (BM in Vocal Performance)
BM vocal Performance: Applicants must present 2 selections one of which should be in English, one in Italian.
MM in Vocal Performance/Opera: Applicants with interest in Opera should prepare 4 arias demonstrating a range of musical styles and languages, including one in English (translations and musical theatre selections are acceptable).  Students seeking the MM without opera emphasis may perform a selection of arias and art songs. Abn accompanist is provided.
Contact Dr. Dorothy Crum for more information and an appointment dorothy.crum@wichita.edu

Scholarships & Assistantships
Scholarships are awarded based on audition and GPA. All qualified Vocal Performance and Musical Theatre majors are eligible for departmental scholarships.It is highly recommended that students fill out FAFSA forms, as some awards are need-based.To be notified of scholarship awards, students must have applied to, and been accepted at Wichita State University. Undergraduate awards usually range from $1000 to $2500 yearly, and may include assistance with dormitory housing. Students with high GPA’s and SAT scores may also qualify for additional academic scholarships; contact financial aid for information www.financialaid.wichita.edu  Four Graduate Teaching Assistantships of up to $6000 for 20 hours of service per week are awarded to graduate students majoring in vocal performance. Graduate Teaching Assistantships include tuition waivers.

Endowed Opera Scholarships/Fellowships
Through the generosity of several individuals, six endowed Opera Performance Scholarships/Fellowships are available each year to full time students displaying unusual promise. Awards vary depending on the interest generated by each fund. Scholarships/Fellowships are awarded by audition. All are merit based, require a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and continued satisfactory performance in the degree program. In-state tuition and tuition waivers are awarded to GA/GTA's.

Samuel Ramey Opera Fellowship
Awarded annually to a WSU graduate student enrolled in the College of Fine Arts MM in Opera Performance. The award is based upon audition, with consultation and advice of Samuel Ramey. The Fellowship is renewable annually until completion of the Master’s degree (two years). Application for renewal is required.

Carolyn and Arthur Skaer Opera and Operetta Fund
Awarded annually to a WSU graduate student enrolled in the College of Fine Arts MM in Opera Performance. The Fellowship is renewable annually until completion of the Master’s degree.  Application for renewal is required.

Sarah Shirkey Gietzen Endowed Scholarship Fund
This Scholarship is awarded annually to one WSU School of Music undergraduate student enrolled in Vocal Performance, who performs in WSU Opera and Muscal Theatre productions, and has the goal of an operatic career.The award may be renewed up to four years.

George Gibson Opera Fellowship
Awarded annually to a WSU student enrolled in the MM in Opera Performance. The Fellowship is renewable annually until completion of the Master’s degree.  Application for renewal is required.

George and Brenda Farha Scholarship in Opera
Awarded annually to a student enrolled in the WSU College of Fine Arts MM in Opera Performance. The award is based on audition and can be renewed only on the basis of audition.

Endowed Fellowship for Vocal Performance Majors
Awarded annually by determination of the faculty to one graduate or undergraduate student enrolled at WSU School of Music in vocal performance with a goal of an operatic career.

BFA in Musical Theatre
The BFA in Musical Theatre is housed in the School of Performing Arts; substantial course work is in collaboration with the School of Music. The B.F.A. is an intensive, interdisciplinary, performance-oriented major, offering equal emphasis in singing, acting and dance techniques. Students interested in musical theatre as a profession will gain the training and skills they need to succeed in this demanding and competitive career. This degree program meets the accreditation standards of the National Associations of Schools of Music.

Audition requirements for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre

• A dance combination taught by WSU faculty.
• Two memorized songs, one ballad and one up-tempo.
• A memorized contemporary monologue limited to 2 minutes.

Upon arrival there is a general meeting to fill out audition forms. Please bring a picture and resume if available. All students learn and perform a short dance combination. Please wear appropriate shoes and clothing. The dance portion of the audition  lasts about 20-30 minutes. Students have time to change, if they wish, and present their memorized songs and monologues individually by appointment.  Please bring your own sheet music in the correct key. No recorded accompaniment is permitted; an accompanist is provided. contact Linda Starkey for an appointment linda.starkey@wichita.edu

Over $30,000 in scholarships is awarded annually to undergraduate Music Theatre majors through competitive auditions. Awards range from $1000 to $2500 per year. To be notified of scholarship awards, students must have applied to, and been accepted at Wichita State University. Auditions at other times of year can be arranged. In the event that a personal audition is impossible, DVD or internet auditions may be considered

Students with high GPA and SAT scores may also be eligible for academic scholarships; please contact the financial aid office for information.
 

Opera & Musical Theatre Faculty

Opera & Musical Theatre
Professor Marie Allyn King, Director of Opera 316-978-6373 marie.king@wichita.edu
Professor Linda Starkey, Director of Music Theatre 316-978-3368 linda.starkey@wichita.edu

Voice
Dr. Dorothy Crum, Chair
Dr. Deborah Baxter
Dr. Pina Mozzani
Dr.Randolph Lacy
Professor Linda Starkey

Emily Sternfeld-Dunn

Dance
Amy Baker – Jazz, Tap, Music Theatre Dance
C. Nicholas Johnson – Mime, Jazz, Modern
Sabrina Vasquez – Ballet, Modern, Jazz
Denise Celestin - Ballet

Acting
Bret Jones
Marie Allyn King
Linda Starkey
Danette Baker
Tom Frye

Conducting/Choral
Dr. Mark Laycock - Director of Orchestra
Dr. Thomas Wine - Choral/Education

Dr. Michael Hannawalt - Choral/Opera Preparation
Thomas Grubb - Coach/Accompanist

Performing Opportunities

WSU Productions
WSU usually produces two operas and two musicals per year, fully staged with orchestra. Operas are performed in the original language with titles. Repertory is selected to expose students to a broad range of styles, from standard works to lesser-known fare (see productions list), and to showcase those students currently enrolled. Other performance opportunities include Opera Lab, Musical Theatre Scene Study, and numerous master classes, recitals and concerts. Vocal Performance majors and Music Theatre majors are encouraged to audition for roles in all productions. During the summer, WSU offers a 4 week study abroad program in Italy, Canta in Italia www.cantainitalia.wichita.edu  After a month of immersive study in voice and language, students perform 2 concerts of opera scenes and arias.

2012-2013 Repertory
Pirates of Penzance and Suor Angelica/Il Campanello di notte
She Loves Me and Crazy for You

Recent Guest Artists, Master classes & Seminars
Samuel Ramey (in residence through 2016)

Wayne Bryan
Joyce Di Donato
Alan Held
Zeffin Quinn Hollis
Stephen Kopel
Andrew Palermo
Myrna Paris

Regional Performing Opportunities
Students are encouraged to audition for paid roles and internships at the many professional and community theatres that flourish in Wichita and the region. The regions’ premiere Equity theatre, Music Theatre of Wichita, directed by Wayne Bryan, performs during the summer months and features Broadway talent. WSU musical theatre students perform frequently with Wichita’s numerous non-Equity companies. Most WSU vocal performance majors earn extra income by working as church soloists, and many also perform with Lyric Opera of Wichita (aka Opera Kansas) and Wichita Grand Opera. In addition to producing an annual holiday production, Opera Kansas sponsors in-school performances, and chamber opera in English. WGO mounts a season of grand opera and ballet. Opera in the Ozarks and Light Opera of Oklahoma also hold on campus auditions .

Opera Department Productions since 2000
Il viaggio a Reims

 L’incoronazione di Poppea

Albert Herring

Die Zauberflöte

Hin und Zurück
L’Enfant et les Sortilèges
Così fan tutte
Street Scene
Iolanthe
Tamerlano
Little Women
Les Dialogues des Carmelites
Eve’s Odds
La Calisto
The Marriage of Figaro
Les Contes d’Hoffmann
Central Park
The Nightingale and the Rose (World Premiere)
Hansel and Gretel
The Vampyr
Cosi fan tutte
Die Zauberflöte
The Gondoliers
Amahl and the Night Visitors
Die Fledermaus
The Consul
The Seven Deadly Sins
Don Pasquale
Les Mamelles de Tirésias
talk opera
Ruddigore
Suor Angelica
The Ring of the Fettuccines

Distinguished WSU Opera Alumni
Samuel Ramey - Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Covent Garden
Joyce DiDonato - Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Paris Opera
Alan Held - Metropolitan Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera, Covent Garden
Myrna Paris - New York City Opera, St. Louis Opera Theatre
Beverly Hoch - Aldeburgh, Glyndebourne, Santa Fe, many recordings
Richard Markedly - Berlin Stadtsoper, Chicago Lyric, Houston Grand Opera
James Billings - New York City Opera, Glimmerglass
Stephen Tharp - Metroolitan Opera, Glimmerglass Opera
Catherine Cook - San Francisco Opera, Tulsa Opera
Howard Haskin - Théatre du Chatelet, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Opéra National de Lyon

Musical Productions since 2000
Crazy for You

She Loves Me

Edges

Good News!

Assassins

Carnival

Urinetown
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Lady Be Good
Waltzing in Heaven (world premiere)
Hair
The Wild Party (KCACTF Finalist; Kennedy Center special honoree)
Children of Eden
Tick, Tick…Boom!
The Apple Tree
A New Brain
1940’s Radio Hour
Pippin (KCACTF Finalist; Kennedy Center alternate)
Anything Goes
Into the Woods
The Secret Garden
The Threepenny Opera
Nunsense
Snoopy
Cabaret
Personals
The Desert Song
Candide
Romance, Romance
Oklahoma!
A Little Night Music

Notable Alumni of the School of Performing Arts
Karla Burns –Broadway: Showboat (Tony nominee)
Suann Pollack – Production Stage Manager Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
Hal Davis – Broadway: Titanic
Ray Wills – Broadway: The Rothschilds
Virginia Creamer – Director: Universal Studios, Orlando FL
Stephen Kopel - Jim Carnahan Casting, NYC
Larry Pressgrove - Composer of Tony & the Soprano; music director/arranger of the Broadway musical [title of show]

Performance Facilities

• Miller Concert Hall fully equipped 530 seat proscenium theatre with hydraulic orchestra pit, fly system and full stage lighting. Used for productions of operas, operettas and orchestral, band and dance events.
• Wilner Auditorium, 800 seat proscenium theatre. Fly system, full stage lighting. Used for production of musicals and plays.
• Wiedemann Recital Hall, 425 seat recital hall with world class organ. Concert lighting. Used for vocal and instrumental recitals.
• Welsbacher Theatre, black box space. Used for Second Stage, and cabaret performances.
• Litwin Theatre, seats approximately 200. Proscenium space, limited lighting, doubles as dance studio. Used for Dance, cabaret and senior choreography projects.

What people are saying about WSU Opera and Musical Theatre

“If you missed Wichita State University’s production of Hair, then it is quite possible that you missed one of the best theatrical productions Wichita has ever seen.”

“Alex Stoll’s work as Burrs in your production of The Wild Party was regarded as the outstanding single performance of the eight KCACTF regional festivals.”

“We had three of your students in our program [Des Moines Metro Opera] this summer, and we were very pleased with the professionalism, musicality and level of preparedness with which they arrived and continued to conduct themselves throughout the season.”

“What made WSU’s La Calisto most interesting was the bold staging. The student singers, dressed in colorful (and slightly risqué) Greek costumes by Rebecca Maholland, clearly relished their roles.”

“The orchestra work came off as fleet and accomplished.”

“What a wonderful performance, and as completely realized a production [of Pippin] as I’ve ever seen.”