First off, I need to explain what the University Players group is before I explain why and how you can get involved. The University Players is essentially a theatre club or group on IU's campus. The goal of the group is to provide additional opportunities for theatre and non-theatre majors alike to perform, write, direct, costume, makeup design, and produce technology in musical theatre and plays aside from IU Theatre and Drama productions. The group is entirely student-run and student-produced and directed. The show productions are very serious and seriously good pieces of work. There is a realistic theatre-setting for every show and audition. The audition process involves, depending on the nature of the musical or play, a 32-bar song prepared, script reading, and some dancing (if the show includes this). Call-backs involve more singing or reading directly from the show and interacting with potential cast-members or rivals. The group is unique because there are no professors running the theatre--it's strictly for the students to create the entire show.
Truth be told: The seriousness being said, I will say that it is not easy to perform in these shows without prior experience. I was told when I joined UP that they were more laid-back and for students who are studying other subjects to still be able to perform. This is true. The IU Theatre and Drama department does become a completely professional show and is treated as such, but UP's shows are very difficult to get in too because at IU there are so many great and experienced theatre majors that they can not all be in the big productions either, so UP becomes their fall-back. Many of the UP shows are casted with all theatre majors. DON'T BE DISCOURAGED if you like to perform but are not majoring in theatre! You have an opportunity to beat the majors, but if that does not work, you are an extremely important asset to UP because they need students to help with everything from backstage to directing. I love working with UP and I hope this gives you some honest insight. For more information about UP, checkout their Facebook, Twitter, and their email information is in the 'About' section on Facebook. Hope that helps!
All-Campus Choir and Voice LessonsI talk about my experience in choir and how I was able to take FREE voice lessons by a Jacob's School of Music Masters student.
Enjoy!Go HERE to learn about how to join the All-Campus Choir, which is actually MUS-X1 NOT MUS-X100. There was a change.
Also, email HER and tell her you would like to be on the Undergraduate Theatre and Drama mailing list for voice lessons from a Jacobs Masters student.
XOXO,
Chelsie Kasun