Opera and Musical Theatre

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 or CD auditions may be considered in the event that a personal audition is impossible.

Audition Requirements for Music Theatre Majors (BFA in Music Theatre)

Auditions consist of a dance audition followed by performance of two contrasting musical theatre songs (up-tempo or belt and a ballad), and one 2-minute contemporary monologue.  Please bring a picture and resume if available.

Upon arrival there will be a general meeting to fill out audition forms. All students will then learn and perform a short dance combination. The dance portion of the audition will last 30-45 minutes. Students will then have time to change, if they wish, and will present their songs and monologues individually by appointment.

-Dance combinations will be taught by WSU faculty
-Songs and monologues must be memorized
-Please bring your own sheet music in the correct key
-No recorded accompaniment will be permitted; an accompanist will be provided

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 5 arias demonstrating a range of musical styles and languages, including one in English (translations and musical theatre selections are acceptable). They should also present a two minute memorized monologue. Students seeking the MM without opera emphasis may perform a selection of arias and art songs.

Contact Dr. Dorothy Crum for more information and an appointment.

Scholarships & Assistantships

Scholarships are awarded based on audition. All qualified Vocal Performance and Musical Theatre majors are eligible for scholarships. Undergraduate awards usually range from $500 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. Five Graduate Teaching Assistantships of up to $6000 for 20 hours of service per week are awarded to incoming and returning graduate students majoring in vocal performance. Graduate Teaching Assistantships include tuition waivers.

Endowed Opera Scholarships

Through the generosity of several individuals, six endowed Opera Performance Scholarships are available each year to full time upper level students displaying unusual promise. Awards vary depending on the interest generated by each fund, and may be divided among more than one student. Scholarships are awarded by audition without regard to race, color, gender, religion, or national origin. All are merit based, require a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and continued satisfactory performance in the degree program. In-state tuition is available for recipients.

Samuel Ramey Opera Fellowship

Awarded annually to a WSU graduate student enrolled in the College of Fine Arts Opera Program. 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 or two years, whichever comes first. 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 Opera Program. The Fellowship is renewable annually until completion of the Master’s degree or two years, whichever comes first. Application for renewal is required.

Sarah Shirkey Gietzen Endowed Scholarship Fund

Scholarship is awarded annually to one or more students enrolled in the WSU School of Music. Magnitude of the award is based on funds available and general level of scholarship in the School. The award may be renewed up to four years.  

George Gibson Opera Fellowship

Awarded annually to a WSU graduate enrolled in the Opera Program. The Fellowship is renewable annually until completion of the Master’s degree or two years, whichever comes first. Application for renewal is required.

George and Brenda Farha Scholarship in Opera

Awarded annually to students enrolled in the WSU College of Fine Arts Department of Opera. 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

In 1998 WSU began offering the BFA in Musical Theatre. Housed in the School of Performing Arts, and in collaboration with the School of Music, our B.F.A. is an intensive, interdisciplinary, performance-oriented major. Students interested in musical theatre as a profession will gain the training and skills they need to succeed in this demanding and competitive career. The program has been designed to offer equal emphasis in singing, acting and dance techniques. This degree program meets the standards of the National Associations of Schools of Music.

Audition requirements for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre

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

Over $30,000 in scholarships is awarded annually to undergraduate Music Theatre majors through competitive auditions. Awards range from $500 to $2500 per year. To be notified of audition results, students must have applied to, and been accepted at Wichita State University. Auditions at other times of year can be arranged. DVD or CD auditions may be considered in the event that a personal audition is impossible.

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

For additional information/application, contact: Marie Allyn King Director of Opera/Musical Theatre, 316-978-6373, or Linda Starkey, Associate Director.

Opera & Musical Theatre Faculty

Opera & Musical Theatre
Professor Marie Allyn King, Director of Opera
Professor Linda Starkey, Director of Music Theatre

Voice
Dr. Dorothy Crum, Chair
Dr. Deborah Baxter 
Dr. Pina Mozzani
Dr. Paul Brodene Smith
Professor Linda Starkey

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

Conducting/Choral
Dr. Mark Laycock - Director of Orchestra
Dr. Robert Glasmann - Choral/Opera
Dr. Thomas Wine - Choral/Education
Thomas Grubb - Coach/Accompanist

Performing Opportunities

WSU Productions
WSU usually produces two operas and two musicals per year, fully staged with orchestra. 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.

2009- ‘10 Repertory includes How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying; Così fan tutte, L’Enfant et les Sortileges (Ravel); Urinetown.

 Recent Guest Artists, Master classes & Seminars

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

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, 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 Opera Kansas and Wichita Grand Opera. In addition to producing an annual holiday production, Opera Kansas sponsors in-school performances, and a one-act opera in English. WGO mounts a season of grand opera and ballet. Opera in the Ozarks and Light Opera of Oklahoma also hold auditions in Wichita.

Opera Department Productions Since 1998

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 Zauberflote
The Gondoliers
Amahl and the Night Visitors
Die Fledermaus
L’incoronazione di Poppea
The Consul
The Seven Deadly Sins
Don Pasquale
Les Mamelles de Tiresias
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 - Théâtre du Châtelet, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Opéra National de Lyon

Musical Productions Since 1998

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
Babes in Arms
Assassins
Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah
Dames at Sea
Two Gentlemen of Verona

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 a variety of other musical 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.”