OCU Summer Programs
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WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT? AT OCU IT'S ABOUT YOU!
We take a personalized approach to every student's success & development... at OCU there is no "one size fits all". Our private lessons and coachings ensure that you are getting training tailored to your needs. Everyone will enter our program with different needs but we pride ourselves on everyone leaving with notable improvement toward their goals.
WHAT TO EXPECTReal classes taught by real faculty and the training that will give you the edge you need to succeed. Participants receive the same training that produced Broadway stars Kristin Chenoweth, Kelli O’Hara, and many more up and coming stars!
THE OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
Your daily classes will be in the beautiful Wanda L. Bass Music Center – one of the most technologically advanced music facilities in the nation. Facilities include a 1,100 seat auditorium, 350 seat theater, 400 seat recital hall, three large rehearsal halls, ensemble rehearsal rooms, sixty sound-proof practice rooms and beautiful faculty teaching studios. You will be housed in one of our fully air-conditioned campus dorms - with 24 hr. supervision - and all meals will be in our student dining hall.
OUR PROGRAMS
High School Music Theatre (HSMT)
Our signature 3-week program since 2001, HSMT is like a condensed version of a year as a freshman MT major. You will go through dance leveling and casting on Sunday and straight into daily classes and rehearsals on Monday! You will have dance, acting and voice class each morning (M-F), lessons, coachings, and music rehearsals in the afternoon, and rehearsal each night. On Saturdays we switch things up with our electives and you get to choose your classes. After an afternoon run of the show students get to enjoy our Saturday night "Cabaret" - the college version of a talent show! Sundays are for sleeping in, clean up rehearsals, and some fun in the form of a pool party, scavenger hunt, or hallway wars. This intense program goes from casting to performance in just 3 weeks and is definitely a once in a lifetime experience!
Pre-College Intensive (PCI)
In this 10-day program we focus on the College Audition Process. You will get the training of our daily voice, acting and dance classes each morning along with private voice and coaching in the afternoon. You have access to our fabulous music library where you can find the songs suggested by our faculty to add to your audition repertoire. Evening classes are dedicated to special topics like filming your voice and dance prescreens and how to find your "best fit" college. You'll leave ready to take on the ever more competitive college audition process.
Ultimate Summer Experience
This program combines the PCI & HSMT programs in a 5 week intensive. Perfect for someone who wants a longer program with the experience of participating in a fully-staged production while also preparing for college auditions!
IN THE 3 PROGRAMS ABOVE YOUR TRAINING WILL INCLUDE:
- Private voice lessons
- Private and group coaching to work on audition repertoire and prepare for college auditions
- Masterclasses with guest faculty in a variety of topics
- Daily acting class and monologue classes to work on audition materials
- Daily dance classes and mock dance auditions
- A true "college" experience of living in dorms and eating in the "caf" supervised by college Musical Theater counselors
Rising Stars
Our fantastic program for students ages 12 - 15. This two-week residential program draws students from all over the nation. Our acclaimed program provides students with an exciting introduction to musical theater or an opportunity for more advanced students to grow and shine through our production process.
- Voice Masterclass with Dr. David Herendeen, Director of Opera & Music Theatre at OCU
- Dance Masterclass with OCU dance faculty
- Working with a real stage manager
- A true "college" experience of living in dorms and eating in the "caf" supervised by college Musical Theater counselors
Admission to the Summer Programs is based on performance ability and each program has its own age restrictions and requirements. We accept talented junior high and high school students who possess outstanding maturity, responsibility and self-motivation. High school students must provide audition submissions. Students may be considered for scholarships and financial assistance based on talent and financial need.
TUITION DISCOUNTS - Students who submit their application by January 15th receive 15% off their tuition if accepted. Early application also provides financial aid consideration for qualified students. Click here for tuition and policies We also offer financial aid for need-based applicants.
We love to talk about our program! Feel free to email or call us with questions:
academy@okcu.edu or (405) 208-5409
Oklahoma City University's Performing Arts Academy reserves the right to change and edit material presented at any time.
Please visit our website for additional information and if you have questions do not hesitate to contact us at academy@okcu.edu or 405-208-5409.
JoBeth Moad
Assistant Dean for Educational Outreach
Director Summer Music Programs
*Please note that applying for the OCU Summer Music Programs does not constitute applying for admission to Oklahoma City University. If you are interested in applying to Oklahoma City University, please visit the Wanda L. Bass School of Music and School of Theatre page at https://app.getacceptd.com/okcu
For technical questions, please check out our Help Desk for frequently asked questions.