Musical Theater Summer Programs - Show vs Showcase - Which is right for you?

Welcome to another episode of “Finding the Right Summer Program for You”! Last week we talked about finding a serious pre-college program vs. a musical theater “camp”. Today I’m going to talk about the pros & cons of doing a fully staged production during your summer program.

During my years of running the OCU Summer Music Programs I am happy to say I have seen a change in student motivations and attitudes - students today are understanding the importance of “training” vs. “performing.”

Don’t get me wrong, your summer program should have plenty of performing opportunities - after all becoming a better performer is what it’s all about! Some of the performing options are:

• Fully Staged Production

• Review Performance

• Showcase

• Masterclasses

• Recitals

Here are a few reasons why a fully staged production or “show” might NOT be the best choice for you:

1. Type and Casting - when a director casts a show he/she is looking for a specific “type” to fill the roles. They may be looking for someone short or tall for a specific role or for students with similar or opposite coloring and body types to play opposite each other or even for a specific size to fit a costume! What did I NOT mention in this list… TALENT! In high school productions casting is often a “predetermined” exercise… the “most talented” students get the lead roles whether they are the right “type” for them or not. 

At the next level (including prestigious Summer Programs) everyone will be talented and you will have a better chance of getting a role when you match a specific type in the show - innocent ingenue, sassy sidekick, handsome lead, quirky character, etc. As you get into the “professional” world, you will find that casting becomes not so much about how talented you are as how well you fit a “type”. By performing a show vs. a showcase Programs will naturally limit the number of students who can be featured based on the number of roles. If your “type” does not fit the show being cast then you will not get as much one-on-one time with the director.

2. Focus on Curriculum - when a program does a fully staged production there is sometimes a lack of focus on skill building. This is not to knock anyone’s program - the truth is it is a LOT OF WORK to put on a show in 2 to 3 weeks! In the OCU Summer Programs we are VERY diligent about balancing instructional content with staging rehearsals, and the other demands of a show. If programs are not intentional you can end up in hour after hour of sitting in a rehearsal room… which is not that different than what you are do in your high school or community productions. 

Why pay lots of money to do the same thing you have the opportunity to do at home for free? Summer Programs are your chance to REALLY focus on skill building, solidifying your technique and preparing for the opportunities ahead.

3. One-on-One Instruction - this one is a BIGGIE!! One-on-one instruction is often the key to big strides in your growth during summer programs. At the OCU Summer Music Programs we work hard to devise a schedule that allows participants to get as much one-on-one instruction as possible. 

As I mentioned earlier, when programs do a fully staged production then that show often becomes the focus. Personally, I feel that one-on-one instruction is MUCH more valuable to a student’s growth than doing another show! That is why you want to carefully look over the schedule and curriculum to make sure that you’re not just seeing “rehearsal, rehearsal, rehearsal”, but time allotted to masterclasses, acting, dance and voice classes, etc. where you get actual instruction and feedback. 

And, if you can’t determine from a program’s website what their daily schedule is, GET ON THE PHONE and call them! If they aren’t willing to tell you what their program is all about… then maybe you want to invest your money someplace else? #justsayin

For the past 20 years I have been running summer music training programs designed to help students acquire the skills they need to successfully move to the next step. Now is the time to start looking for the perfect summer program for you. If you would like more information about the OCU Summer Music Programs you can call 405-208-5410 or email me at jmoad@okcu.edu.

Let your inner light shine! And good luck on the journey...