ACTING DESIGN SOUND
VOICE
DEVISING
PERFORMANCE
SCENERY STAGE MANAGEMENT
COSTUMING
DIGITAL MEDIA
LIGHTING
THEATRE
Cover Image: The House of Atreus, Part 1 TheatreOCU / Photo by Bryan Cardinale-Powell
“If you are serious about your education and training, want to leave college with pre-professional and professional credits on your résumé, and wish to start your career with the skills, knowledge, attitudes, and opportunities that will help you sustain a career in the performing arts, then Oklahoma City University is the home for you.” - Brian Parsons, Associate Dean of Theatre
The Bluest Eye
TheatreOCU / Photo by Bryan Cardinale-Powell
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Ready to be a
? 90% of OCU students receive financial aid
AUDITIONS & Interview Info ON CAMPUS AUDITIONS - November 2 & 3 - February 1 & 2 - March 1 & 2
On Campus Design and Production Scholarship Interviews - december 7 & 8 - February 1 & 2 - March 1 & 2
off campus audition locations
/TheatreOCU @TheatreOCU
- International Thespians Festival - Lincoln, NE - Las Vegas Performing Arts Auditions - Las Vegas, NV - North Texas Drama Auditions - Plano, TX - Texas Thespians Festival - Grapevine, TX - Booker T. Washington - Dallas, TX - Greater Houston Area Auditions - Houston, TX - Greater San Antonio Area Auditions - San Antonio, TX - Colorado Thespians Festival - Denver, CO - New York Unified Auditions - New York City, NY - Chicago Unified Auditions - Chicago, IL
OCU INFO Interested in making Oklahoma City University your college? To apply and view detailed application instructions, visit okcu.edu/admissions/apply Talent and merit-based scholarships are available to incoming freshmen and transfer students—no separate application needed! Apply to the university and complete an interview or audition to apply for the Theatre program.
- Arkansas Thespians Festival - Russelville, AR - Oklahoma Thespians Festival - Tulsa, OK - SETC - Knoxville, TN
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For more information or to schedule your On Campus Audition, please visit okcu.edu/theatre/admissions
OCUTHEATREAUDITIONS@OKCU.EDU /oklahomacityuniversity @OKCU @oklahomacityuniversity /oklahomacityuniversity
Noises Off
TheatreOCU / Photo by Bryan Cardinale-Powell
BFA ACTING As a BFA Acting major, you will take nine specialized stage acting classes throughout your four-year curriculum, including exciting and varied topics such as Scene Study, Chekhov, Shakespeare, Contemporary Drama, and Audition Techniques. This rigorous training is accompanied by three semesters of vocal production and dialect work , as well as movement and stage combat techniques. In addition to studying stage acting, you will also be required to take one full year (two semesters) of On Camera Acting in order to prepare for TV and film. You will also be introduced to major aspects of technical theatre and directing, and will receive a minimum of three semesters of private voice lessons taught through the Wanda L. Bass School of Music and a minimum of three semesters of studio dance training through the nationally ranked Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment.
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Hairspray
Three Sisters
TheatreOCU / Photo by Bryan-Cardinale-Powell
Wanda L. Bass School of Music / Photo by Wendy Mutz
Lord of the Flies
TheatreOCU / Photo by Bryan Cardinale-Powell
Why the BA?
I AM... Devised by the Class of 2020 BATAP @ Oklahoma Contemporary / Photo by Elina Moon
ALiEN8: A New Musical
Ignition Arts / Photo by Angela Polk
A BA in Theatre and Performance will train you to become twentyfirst century artists through researching innovative new works and exploring the creative processes of the artist who developed them. Classes serve as studio incubators for you to devise your own work while utilizing emerging media technologies to inform your personal artistic voice and creative process. Our Study Abroad Program challenges you to become a global citizen as you engage with a wide range of communities through art. The capstone project will showcase your original material in OCU’s Festival of New Work. As a graduate, you will embody constructive collaboration, innovative thinking, and creative problem-solving across disciplines and performance settings.
Start Creating in the First Semester Small Studio Sizes Emerging Technology Training Study Abroad Program New Works Festival
What does my core curriculum include? Devising Theatre for Social Change Arts Advocacy Stagecraft Acting Play Analysis New Media and Digital Performance
What are the admission requirements? Interview with BATAP Director and submit an original work (a play, a podcast, webisode, short film, musical composition, etc.)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT GREGORY DECANDIA: gdecandia@okcu.edu
Do more With Your BA I AM... Devised by the Class of 2020
BATAP @ Oklahoma Contemporary / Photo by Elina Moon
WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY BATAP students publicly present works-in-progress the first Wednesday of each month. These site-specific events feature readings, workshops, art installations, solo performances, and other student-devised projects. Follow our work on Facebook @ facebook.com/BATAPOCUTHEATRE
BA Theatre & Performance “What would you do your first semester? Write a one-minute play, devise a solo performance, workshop a documentary theatre piece, and create a venue to present your work monthly.� - Gregory DeCandia, Head of BA Theatre and Performance
BFA Theatre design and production AS A BFA Theatre Design and Production Student, you will have the option of emphasizing in Costumes, Lighting, Scenery, Sound, Properties, Technical Direction, and/or Stage & Production Management. We believe in learning by doing. Unlike some other programs, you don’t have to be here for one or two years before you are working on a production. You will be working on fully realized university productions in the first semester of your freshman year. Design and Production opportunities are structured to give you practical, realized projects in which you are expected to apply skills gained in the classroom and from previous experiences. The production assignments are designed to stretch and challenge you, while continually expanding your capabilities as you develop in a mentored, student-centered environment. This union of the classroom with the stage provides an active training ground. By providing design and technical elements for the School of Theatre and the Wanda L. Bass School of Music, we offer practical, hands-on experience in theatrical productions.
“Over 90% of Design and Production graduates land jobs in their field within 3 months of graduation.”
Adam Call, Stage Manager BFA Design and Production ‘16
Anything Goes
Wanda L. Bass School of Music / Photo by Bryan Cardinale-Powell
Aaron Mooney
Associate Professor of Lighting Design
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core curriculum highlights DESIGN & PRODUCTION CORE (42 HRS) THRE 1303 Introduction to Theatrical Design
PRODUCTION/STAGE MANAGEMENT (12 HRS)
SOUND DESIGN (11 HRS)
THRE 3683 Advanced Stage Management THRE 3883 Opera & Music Theatre Stage Management THRE 3723 Theatrical Unions THRE 4723 Theatrical Production Management + weekly Stage Management seminars
MUS 1102 Music Fundamentals MUS 1123 Music & the Human Experience THRE 3163 Theatre Sound Technology THRE 3713 Theatrical Sound Design
LIGHTING DESIGN (12 HRS)
PROP DESIGN (12 HRS)
THRE 3113 Advanced Electrical Production & Programming THRE 3303 CAD for Theatre THRE 4403 Lighting Design II THRE 4513 Museum, Fashion, & Special Event Lighting Design + weekly Design seminars
THRE 1603 Technical Drawing for Theatre
+ weekly Design seminars
THRE 3413 Scene Painting I THRE 3163 Props Design & Fabrication THRE 3163 Properties Materials & Processes THRE 3603 Costume and Props Crafts + weekly Design seminars
THRE 1703 Stage/Production Management THRE 2113 Drawing & Rendering I THRE 2303 Digital Drafting & Rendering THRE 2501 Sophomore Portfolio Seminar THRE 3403 Lighting Design THRE 3503 Scene Design THRE 3561 Design/Production Practicum (take 5 times)
COSTUME DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY (12 HRS) THRE 3603 Costume & Props Crafts THRE 3703 Costume Patterning THRE 4703 Costume Technology THRE 4803 Costume Design II + weekly Design seminars
ADVISED ELECTIVES (9 HRS)
THRE 3803 Costume Design THRE 3983 Design & Production Internship THRE 4113 Professional Preparation THRE 4903 Period Styles & Décor THRE 4913 History of Costume
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (40 HRS) AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (12 HRS) ADVISED ELECTIVES (9 HRS)
BFA Theatre Design & Production students will choose from one of the following specializations (and may take courses from other areas as electives as well):
Students must take 9 hours of electives chosen with their advisor:
SCENIC DESIGN (12 HRS) THRE 3413 Scene Painting THRE 3303 CAD for Theatre THRE 4303 Technical Production THRE 4603 Scene Design II + weekly Design seminars
TECHNICAL DIRECTION (12 HRS) THRE 3303 CAD for Theatre THRE 3163 Stage Mechanics & Automation I THRE 3163 Stage Mechanics & Automation II THRE 4303 Technical Production + weekly TD seminars
MUS 1102 Music Fundamentals MUS 1123 Music & the Human Experience ART 1003 Art History: Survey I ART 1103 Art History: Survey II ART 1143 Foundational Drawing ART 1243 Foundational 3D Design ART 2143 Life Drawing I ART 2063 Digital Photography I ART 3113 Art History: Modern ART 3303 Art History: Contemporary
Production Opportunities
MAINSTAGE TheatreOCU typically offers a four show Mainstage season, alongside an additional four opera/music theater productions in conjunction with the Wanda L. Bass School of Music. The mainstage season consists of a mix of fully realized productions of theatre classics and relevant contemporary plays, as well as co-productions with our professional partners.
school of theatre
wanda l. bass school of music
Julius Caesar October 25-28 Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley December 6-9 The Wolves January 31-February 3 Picnic April 4-7
Side Show September 28-30 Little Women November 2-4 Susannah November 16-18 Cendrillon February 22-24 L’amico Fritz March 1-3 Two Gentlemen of Verona April 12-14
STAGE II Our Stage II season presents six to eight productions per year in the intimate setting of our Black Box Theatre. Stage II plays are produced with an emphasis on acting and directing with the support of design, stage management, and technical elements. The season is a combination of student and faculty directors and designers who collaborate together on these experimental, laboratory productions.
PROFESSIONAL PARTNERS
Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma For 50 years, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma has produced classic and contemporary musicals and plays featuring both nationally known Broadway stars and local favorites. Lyric produces four smaller works in the Plaza Theatre during the spring, fall, and winter, as well as four large scale, fully orchestrated musicals at the Civic Center Music Hall each summer. Lyric operates under an URTA contract with Actors’ Equity Association and employs members of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and United Scenic Artists. For more information, go to lyrictheatreokc.com
Oklahoma Children’s Theatre (OCT) Oklahoma Children’s Theatre (OCT) is the professional children’s theatre company for the state of Oklahoma, and is in residence on the Oklahoma City University campus. OCT provides extraordinary live theatre and interactive educational experiences for young audiences. OCT offers a number of productions and educational programs for young audiences throughout the year including one main stage co-production with TheatreOCU, a statewide touring production, a youth theatre program, an arts collaboration program with local daycare centers, as well as educational classes and camps held during the summer at Oklahoma City University. For more information, go to oklahomachildrenstheatre.org
OCUEDGE OCUEdge is a student-run, staged-reading series that is typically six plays in length. Material for the OCUEdge season is usually picked from very contemporary material, mostly written within the last 5 years. The staged reading of these current, and often edgy plays, supports our students’ study of current theatre trends, as well as making opportunities for young directors and actors to wrap their imaginations around very modern texts.
As a professionally focused training program, it is critical for our students to work within the industry as their collegiate career evolves
Oklahoma City& BalletSTRIPPED OUT OF THE BOX IMPROV TROUPE
Oklahoma City Ballet is the resident dance company of theStripped Civic Center Music Hall inorganization Oklahoma City and tours as part of the Oklahoma is a student-run that Arts Council’s touring program. It also tours under the auspices of the Mid-America Arts Alliance, theyear. National mounts two musical productions every The Endowment for the Dance Program and the Heartland City Balletare seeks inspireand its audience through classical and OutArts of the BoxTouring and Improv Troupe is our student-Arts Fund. Oklahoma studio productions fullytostaged memorized, dance performances, a strong educational program, and community service. To findessentials. out more about Oklahoma City runcontemporary and student-organized theatre company. but “stripped” down to the storytelling visit okcballet.com OutBallet, of the please Box presents a late-night series of Staged in two weeks, these productionsprovide a exciting performances: reimagined classics, novel adaptations, plays written by student playwrights, edgy contemporary plays, and lively evenings of scenes and monologues. Out of the Box also produces TheatreOCU’s improvisation company.
unique production experience for OCU students.
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PROFESSIONAL PARTNERS
Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma For 50 years, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma has produced classic and contemporary musicals and plays featuring both nationally known Broadway stars and local favorites. Lyric produces four smaller works in the Plaza Theatre during the spring, fall, and winter, as well as four large scale, fully orchestrated musicals at the Civic Center Music Hall each summer. Lyric operates under an URTA contract with Actors’ Equity Association and employs members of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and United Scenic Artists. For more information, go to lyrictheatreokc.com
Oklahoma Children’s Theatre (OCT) Oklahoma Children’s Theatre (OCT) is the professional children’s theatre company for the state of Oklahoma, and is in residence on the Oklahoma City University campus. OCT provides extraordinary live theatre and interactive educational experiences for young audiences. OCT offers a number of productions and educational programs for young audiences throughout the year including one main stage co-production with TheatreOCU, a statewide touring production, a youth theatre program, an arts collaboration program with local daycare centers, as well as educational classes and camps held during the summer at Oklahoma City University. For more information, go to oklahomachildrenstheatre.org
Oklahoma City Ballet As a professionally focused training program, it is critical for our students to work within the industry as their collegiate career evolves
Oklahoma City Ballet is the resident dance company of the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City and tours as part of the Oklahoma Arts Council’s touring program. It also tours under the auspices of the Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts Dance Touring Program and the Heartland Arts Fund. Oklahoma City Ballet seeks to inspire its audience through classical and contemporary dance performances, a strong educational program, and community service. To find out more about Oklahoma City Ballet, please visit okcballet.com
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Les Misérables
The Nutcracker
Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma / Photo by KO Rinearson
Oklahoma City Ballet Company / Photo by Jana Carson Photography
James and the Giant Peach
Lyric Theatre / Photo by KO Rinearson
The Giver
Co-Production with Oklahoma Children’s Theatre Photo by Bryan Cardinale-Powell
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du/t h e at r e
Adelaide, BFA Acting ’19
Study Abroad Study Abroad offers you the chance to satisfy your intellectual and creative curiosity while expanding your life experiences in a new culture. Rose Bruford College, London
There are multiple opportunities for students to study abroad during their time at OCU. The School of Theatre has established study abroad exchanges with universities across the UK and Central Europe.
Alison, Design & Production ’18
MASTER CLASSES
Patti LuPone
Recent Guest Artists and Master Class Teachers: - Patti LuPone, two-time Tony Award winner, twotime Grammy Award winner - Jason Alexander, Tony Award winner, known for his role as George Costanza in Seinfeld - Chris Harrison, host of The Bachelor - Kelli O’Hara, Tony Award winner - Kristin Chenoweth, Tony Award winner - Joe Onorato, Stage Manager at Radio City Music Hall - Mary Ann Hoag, Lighting Designer at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum - David O’Brien, Production Stage Manager, Wicked national tour - Kim Fisk, Production Stage Manager, Book of Mormon national tour - Mike Naumann, Production Manager, Cirque du Soleil - Varekai - Raymond Inkel, Production Manager, Alley Theatre in Houston - Mary McDonnell, Academy Award Nominee - Sam Samuelson, Stewart Talent, Chicago - Steve Scott, Producer, Goodman Theatre, Chicago - Scott Kaiser, Head of Company Development for Oregon Shakespeare Festival - Beth Kligerman, Producer, The Second City, Chicago - Tiffany Little-Canfield, Casting Director, Telsey + Co. in New York City - Joel Carlton, Talent Agent, CGF Talent in NYC
- Kaitlin Shaw, Tara Rubin Casting - Karen Kohlhaas, Atlantic Theatre Company - Robert Richmond, Folger Theatre - David Stewart, Director of Production, Guthrie Theatre in Minnesota - Jay Sheehan and Cary Gillet, Co-Authors of textbook The Production Manager’s Toolkit - Jeff Norman, Production Stage Manager of Newsies National Tour - Millie Dixon, Theatre Projects - Principle - Mark Heiser, Chief Operating Office - Arts & Venues | City and County of Denver - Jordan McGregor, The O2 and Wimbley Arena - Head of Financial Reporting
- Joseph Megel, Artistic Director, The Process Series at UNC - Dominic Abbenante, Resident Media Designer, Playmakers’ Rep. Co. - Julia Gibson, MFA Acting Professor at UNC Chapel Hill, PlayMakers’ Rep. Co. Member - Cary Cannon, American Players Theatre - Bob Mason, Casting Director, Chicago Shakespeare - Kevin Asselin, Artistic Director, Montana Shakespeare in the Park
“It was nice to hear exactly what our professors have been teaching us in our classes over the last few years echoed in a superstar who has been in the business for a long time.”
Jason Alexander Mary McDonnell
Chris Harrison
- Robert, BFA Acting, Senior
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SENIOR SHOWCASES
LOS ANGELES Graduating actors have the opportunity to perform in front of leading agents, managers, and casting directors. The week-long professional preparation trip takes place over Spring Break and is hosted by the renowned Joe Anthony Studios. Students participate in 2 showcase performances, an industry reception, casting workshops, masterclasses, industry panels, and on-camera acting masterclasses taught by leading LA artists.
NEW YORK CITY The Wanda L. Bass School of Music and the School of Theatre bring a casting director and agent from New York to audition all of our graduating seniors. Those chosen for the showcase spend the spring semester rehearsing a one-hour performance featuring songs and scenes. Those students travel to New York to perform in front of casting directors, talent agents, producers, and other industry professionals.
CHICAGO The School of Theatre invites a half dozen casting professionals (casting directors, agents, artistic directors) from prominent Chicago area theatres to campus. Our graduating seniors meet with, audition for, take workshops from, and get personalized feedback from these guests. Thus, when they arrive in Chicago, our actors are on a first-name basis with a large number of important industry professionals.
DALLAS The School of Theatre partners with a number of prominent casting authorities from Dallas for extensive workshops and auditions for the graduating seniors.
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Careers Ty Fanning, BFA Acting ’12
As Solyony in “Three Sisters” at American Players Theatre
Rebecca Koopferstock, BFA Design & Production ’13 Magic Kingdom Entertainment Tech at Walt Disney World
Lauten Thompson and Ariel Richardson
Montana Shakespeare in the Parks’ Twelfth Night
- Walt Disney World - The Goodman Theatre - Steppenwolf Theatre Company - Cirque du Soleil - UnMasqued Theatre Company - Princess Cruise Lines - Santa Fe Opera Company - Music Theatre Wichita - 54 Below NYC - WaterTower Theatre - Busch Gardens Theme Park - Second Stage Theatre, NY - Bay Street Theatre, NY - Williamstown Theatre Festival
- Fox Entertainment Group - Sight and Sound Theatres - Theatre Memphis - FELD Entertainment - Lyric Theatre Oklahoma - Production Resource Group (PRG) - Kansas City Rep - Cider Mill Playhouse - Dorset Theatre Festival - Playwrights Horizons - Chicago Shakespeare Theatre - Eugene O’Neill Theatre ... and many more!
Our rigorous academics and abundant internship and development opportunities allow our students to have a thorough understanding of the industry they will be entering. TheatreOCU students and alumni regularly go on to create new works, design, produce, write, direct, stage manage, and perform at the highest level. To the left is a small list of where our students intern and our alumni make their careers.
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Oklahoma City Our campus sits in the heart of OKC in the historic and vibrant Uptown District. Just a short drive, walk, or bike ride from campus you can explore more than a dozen diverse neighborhoods and entertainment districts featuring live music venues, local restaurants, coffee shops, food trucks, farmers markets, art events and cultural performances. On any given night you may find yourself dining at one of the local hotspots in Automobile Alley or Deep Deuce, enjoying a festival in the Plaza District or Midtown, appreciating one of the many art galleries in the Paseo Arts District, attending a professional sporting event, catching a local or nationally-touring show at the Civic Center Music Hall or the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, playing laser tag in the Bricktown Entertainment District, or taking a stroll by beautiful Lake Hefner.
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THE GOLD STAR BUILDING houses acting and design studios, student work spaces, and faculty offices.
Contact Oklahoma City University School of Theatre 2501 N Blackwelder Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 Theatre: 405.208.5121 General: 405.208.5000
ocutheatreauditions@okcu.edu
okcu.edu/theatre /TheatreOCU @TheatreOCU