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IWUSoTA · 02-04-2008, 09:59 PM

Ninnynoodle-

Minors are possible with all our degree tracks, but if you were to decide you wanted to double major your only option would be the BA track.

As for the cuts/re-audition deal, do you mean once you've been accepted into the program? We have juries at the end of every semester so the faculty can see student progress, and there are Sophomore Reviews at the end of the spring semester of your sophomore year. The faculty technically can't boot you out of the program, but they can suggest that you move degree tracks.

For music theatre I believe we accept around 20 students and expect about half to choose to come here.

As for dance, the faculty encourages you to always be in AT LEAST one dance class per semester. Our dance requirements right now are at least 2 semesters of modern, 2 of ballet, 2 of jazz, and 1 of tap. By the end of your senior year you must be able to pass into either Tap II or Jazz III AND Ballet III or Modern III (that's ONE from EACH of those pairings).

Yes, music theatre students take voice lessons every semester. There is also a repertoire class once a week in the chapel on campus. It's basically a master class.. all the music theatre majors gather and sing for each other and the vocal coaches work with you in front of everyone.

I think we have a pretty good balance between the three disciplines. With the BFA in Music Theatre you're basically getting an Acting and Voice double major with a Dance minor. We're also required to take 2 semesters of theory and 3 of keyboarding. If you've never had theory before I HIGHLY RECOMMEND taking some sort of "Music Theory Basics" class or something before you get here. It can get pretty rough if you've got absolutely no background in it.

Freshmen are not allowed to audition for any of the main stage shows, but are eligible to be in any student run productions. Being a freshman (my name is Erika, I'm one of 4 student workers in the recruitment office who will post on this board) I'm so glad that pressure was taken off me this year! Like other people have said, the adjustment from home to college can be rougher than you'd expect and you get crazy busy with classes, etc etc. You always have the opportunity to be involved in a show in one way or another, though.. I've been on two wardrobe crews so far (I'm a freshman) and I actually enjoy the backstage work way more than I thought I would because I'd never worked BEHIND the scenes before, which I think is the case with a lot of students. Also, I like that we're required to work on crews because it reminds you that you need to respect everyone around you. A show can't go on without the performers and the people backstage working together, and I think performers forget that sometimes. You get a really well-rounded theatre education here at Wesleyan and knowing how to sew a hem or build a flat will come in way more handy than you may think it will once you're out in the "real world".

Hopefully this helps!

02-04-2008, 09:59 PM	#33
IWUSoTA New Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 2	Ninnynoodle- Minors are possible with all our degree tracks, but if you were to decide you wanted to double major your only option would be the BA track. As for the cuts/re-audition deal, do you mean once you've been accepted into the program? We have juries at the end of every semester so the faculty can see student progress, and there are Sophomore Reviews at the end of the spring semester of your sophomore year. The faculty technically can't boot you out of the program, but they can suggest that you move degree tracks. For music theatre I believe we accept around 20 students and expect about half to choose to come here. As for dance, the faculty encourages you to always be in AT LEAST one dance class per semester. Our dance requirements right now are at least 2 semesters of modern, 2 of ballet, 2 of jazz, and 1 of tap. By the end of your senior year you must be able to pass into either Tap II or Jazz III AND Ballet III or Modern III (that's ONE from EACH of those pairings). Yes, music theatre students take voice lessons every semester. There is also a repertoire class once a week in the chapel on campus. It's basically a master class.. all the music theatre majors gather and sing for each other and the vocal coaches work with you in front of everyone. I think we have a pretty good balance between the three disciplines. With the BFA in Music Theatre you're basically getting an Acting and Voice double major with a Dance minor. We're also required to take 2 semesters of theory and 3 of keyboarding. If you've never had theory before I HIGHLY RECOMMEND taking some sort of "Music Theory Basics" class or something before you get here. It can get pretty rough if you've got absolutely no background in it. Freshmen are not allowed to audition for any of the main stage shows, but are eligible to be in any student run productions. Being a freshman (my name is Erika, I'm one of 4 student workers in the recruitment office who will post on this board) I'm so glad that pressure was taken off me this year! Like other people have said, the adjustment from home to college can be rougher than you'd expect and you get crazy busy with classes, etc etc. You always have the opportunity to be involved in a show in one way or another, though.. I've been on two wardrobe crews so far (I'm a freshman) and I actually enjoy the backstage work way more than I thought I would because I'd never worked BEHIND the scenes before, which I think is the case with a lot of students. Also, I like that we're required to work on crews because it reminds you that you need to respect everyone around you. A show can't go on without the performers and the people backstage working together, and I think performers forget that sometimes. You get a really well-rounded theatre education here at Wesleyan and knowing how to sew a hem or build a flat will come in way more handy than you may think it will once you're out in the "real world". Hopefully this helps! Last edited by IWUSoTA; 02-04-2008 at 10:04 PM.