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Students push for musical theatre collaboration, opportunities |
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Thursday, 09 November 2006 |
by ASHLEY BENNERS
Intern Lifestyles Reporter
Students involved with the departments of music, theatre arts and dance at Appalachian State University felt that until recently, collaborative efforts between the programs have left something to be desired.
Corey Monk, a junior teaching theatre art major, considered
transferring from Appalachian due to the lack of musical theatre
opportunities.
 Active Image | David Mulvaney | The Appalachian
Senior philosophy and religion major Desiree C. Ricker (center) tap dances in a class taught by Dr. Ray Miller in I.G. Greer Studio Theatre.
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“It just doesn’t make sense to me, we have phenomenal music, theatre and dance programs, but they are so disjointed,” Monk said.
Although an opera workshop class is offered in the music department,
some music majors feel an additional musical theatre class would be
beneficial.
“I think voice majors should be required to take acting classes,”
sophomore music performance major Connie N. Waddell said. “We always
hear rumors of possible collaborations with the department of theatre
and dance but we have yet to see much actually happen.”
Michael L. Gregory, a senior music industry major, agrees.
“The limited correspondence between the music and theatre departments
puzzles me,” he said. “It would just be nice to see the faculty go back
and forth once in a while.”
Dr. Ray Miller, department of theatre and dance chair, has been taking
strides to increase the musical theatre opportunities for interested
students.
“One of the reasons I was brought to Appalachian State was to try and
bring the departments together; musical theatre is my strength,” he
said.
Since Miller’s arrival, he has put together a musical theatre ensemble, and last spring he directed “The Fantastiks.”
“I wanted to create an informal group and then try to find
opportunities for them to perform small musical reviews,” Miller said.
Last fall, the ensemble performed a review for Hurricane Katrina
relief, and at the end of this month they will perform at the College
of Fine and Applied Arts Scholarship review board banquet.
“Dr. Miller is the biggest advocate I’ve seen yet for musical theatre,”
freshman theatre arts major Jordan L. Westra said. “Right now the
opportunities are average, but the program is definitely growing.”
Students desiring musical theatre opportunities will have much to look forward to next semester.
Theatre and dance assistant professor Gordon Hensley will direct
“Batboy: The Musical,” and Miller will teach a class for acting for
musical theatre.
Miller also plans to work with the opera workshop class as a movement
consultant for their spring opera, directed by School of Music
professor Dr. Joseph L. Amaya.
“We spent the last year developing a dance major which we expect will
be in effect next fall,” Miller said. “So even though things are not
happening as fast as students would want, we are definitely pushing for
more musical theatre.”
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