<p>Hi, forum!</p>
<p>My name is Jamie, and I am a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma’s Music Theatre program, which has recently been added to the “Big List.”</p>
<p>I chose to attend UCO over several other music theatre programs because it is a school that puts a high priority on the mastery of the belt voice. Although studying belting is not a requirement of the program, it was a requirement for me, since I frequently get cast as a belter. The funny thing is, that BECAUSE I found the correct placement of my belt voice while studying at UCO, I was able to make HUGE breakthroughs in my legit voice using similar concepts…which then lead me to focus on singing operatically!</p>
<p>UCO is a school where students can blaze their own paths and, essentially, “do it all,” should they so choose! I was able to study opera and belting simultaneously with two different voice teachers–Kay Creed of New York City Opera and the late Tamara Long, the original Mona in “Dames At Sea”-- and in addition to my required major courses, I took classes in some of the highest levels in the acting and dance departments. Carveth Osterhaus, who had founded the music theatre department at Oklahoma City University, also founded the program at UCO, so both programs are Bachelors of Music degrees, and housed within their Departments of Music. This means that music theatre majors can perform in operas as well as the musicals. Since I believe that the best way to learn performing is by PERFORMING, UCO’s deparment provided another “plus” for me; professors and outside directors cast freshman as readily as seniors in mainstage productions.</p>
<p>Besides presenting an excellent mix of new and old shows from the music theatre canon, UCO music theatre presents other performance opportunites, as well. A recent music department acquisition is the UCO Jazz Lab, an excellent facility where vocal and instrumental music students perform in a lounge-type atmosphere. Since it’s annexed to a favorite pizza joint, Jazz Lab patrons are often seen enjoying a slice in addition to enjoying a glass of wine! Lately, the Jazz Lab has housed many successfuly cabaret evenings by music theatre students. Also, Broadway Tonight!, a company which brings national tours to Edmond, has been known to co-produce musicals with UCO Music Theatre. Broadway Tonight! recently produced “Grease!” starring soap opera’s Jeff Tracha and “Hello, Dolly!” starring Broadway legend Carole Cook.</p>
<p>Successful graduates of UCO include Milena Govich (Broadway’s “Good Vibrations,” et al.), Megan Osterhaus (Broadway’s “Mamma Mia!”), Greg White (“Nunsense A-Men!” original cast), Craig Ricks (Broadway’s “Cats”), Mat Govich (Broadway’s “Cabaret”), and Billy Sprague, Jr. (Broadway’s “Beauty and the Beast,” et al.). In addition, UCO has produced dozens of performers who regularly perform in tours and regional companies, as well as local favorites in the Oklahoma City metro.</p>
<p>UCO is situated in Edmond, OK, a suburb located 20 minutes from downtown Oklahoma City. Theatres in the OKC metro include Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, City Rep, Carpenter Square Theatre, Jewel Box Theatre, Skyline Theatre, Summer Stock, and The Pollard Theater, among others.</p>
<p>For those music theatre performers who are torn between wanting to study belting and wanting to pursue classical vocal training, the University of Central Oklahoma just might be the school for you! Visit <a href=“http://www.camd.ucok.edu%5B/url%5D”>www.camd.ucok.edu</a> for more information.</p>
<p>Thanks, Dr. John and Shauna, for adding my alma mater UCO to the list!</p>
<p>Jamie B.,
Actress</p>