Student Resources

This page is a repository for resources
for current Theatre & Dance students.

Other useful resources for Theatre & Dance Students are:

 

Announcing Auditions for The Threepenny Opera for the Fall Semester

Directed by Jim Peck
Musical Director: Vincent Trovato
Choreographer: Sammy Reyes

Auditions: Aug. 31, Sept. 1
Callbacks: Sept. 3 & 4

This fall, Muhlenberg Theatre & Dance will present The Threepenny Opera, with book and lyrics by Bertolt Brecht and Elisabeth Hauptmann, and music by Kurt Weill. As the story opens, young, seemingly innocent Polly Peachum elopes the suave but ruthless gang leader Macheath. Their clandestine marriage initiates a turf war with Polly's parents Mr. and Mrs. Peachum, who are themselves partners in a flourishing criminal enterprise. While Macheath and the elder Peachums face off for control of London's lucrative underground, Polly strives toward her own, very independent ambitions. One of the most influential works in the history of musical theatre, this gangland satire launches a vitriolic broadside at the corruptions of capitalist modernity.

The productions seeks a company of about 25 actors. We hope for a diverse ensemble encompassing multiple forms of social difference. Actors of all gender identities and expressions, racial identifications, ethnic heritages, and abilities are invited and encouraged to audition. All roles are open to any performer with the ability to fulfill the vocal requirements of the score.

Any student may audition for the production, regardless of class year or major. Students will need to be available for evening rehearsals as noted below as well as all performances.

For your vocal auditions, please be aware that though the word "opera" is in the title, we are not looking for an "operatic" style of singing. The score is heavily influenced by the popular music of its day - most especially jazz and cabaret. Those styles of singing, as well as musical theatre, would all be appropriate. Please approach the vocal audition in the way you're most comfortable. We want to see and hear you, so please draw upon your experience and training in whatever ways help you feel confident. We do encourage you to think about the acting aspect of your vocal audition. The ability to clearly articulate a thought while singing is vital for this piece, and it's something we'll value highly when making casting decisions. 

To Audition:

Please prepare 32 bars from a song in English written prior to 1960. Please do not choose a song from The Threepenny Opera. We strongly encourage that auditioners choose a song by one of the following composers, all of whom would be a good match for the music in this show:

Harold Arlen
Marc Blitzstein
Leonard Bernstein
Noel Coward
Duke Ellington
George Gershwin
Jerome Moross
Harold Rome
Billy Strayhorm
Fats Waller
Kurt Weill (works other than The Threepenny Opera)

Auditions will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 31, and Thursday, Sept. 1, starting at 7 pm. Signups and an audition information form will be emailed closer to audition dates. Callback auditions will take place on Saturday, Sept. 3, 1-5pm, and Sunday, Sept. 4, 1-5pm, and will include acting, singing and some dancing.

Auditioners will need to bring their sheet music in a binder, double-sided, in the correct key and with all notations for the accompanist clearly marked.

We will be producing the translation by Michael Feingold, which you can read here. We encourgae you to take time to familarize yourself with the text. 

Rehearsals will begin the week of Sept. 5 and will be held Monday through Friday evenings, 7-11pm. Technical rehearsals will begin Oct. 18 and will include the addition of a day rehearsal on Saturday, Oct. 20.

Performances are as follows:

Oct. 28, 29 at 8pm
Oct. 30 at 2pm
Nov. 3, 4, 5 at 8pm
Nov. 6 at 2pm

There will be many opportunities to participate in the producution in other capacities, including backstage and in the booth. Please look for more information later in the summer.

 

 

 

Theatre Major Worksheets
for Fall 2022 course registration

Last revised: 4 April 2022

Dear Theatre Majors —

Here are some helpful documents for you to use as you prepare to register for courses for Fall 2022.

Class of 2023

Theatre Concentration Tracker
Theatre Scholarship Course Tracker
Theatre Scholarship Courses for Fall 2022
GAR Tracking Worksheet

Class of 2024, 2025, and 2026

Theatre Major Tracker — all inclusive
Theatre Scholarship Courses for Fall 2022
GAR Tracking Worksheet

Not sure which you are?

Students who entered with the Class of '22 and '23 and took some time away will still complete the major requirements for those Class Years. This is true even if your official class designation might have changed.

Transfer students who began their studies at Muhlenberg prior to Fall 2020 will complete the requirements of the old curriculum.

Your academic advisor will be able to help you understand all the nuances of the curriculum if you have questions. Please be sure to consult as often as necessary with your advisor.

Signing Out Studio Space

updated Nov. 1, 2021

To reserve studio spaces for next week, please take the following steps:

  1. Read the first tab of this space schedule spreadsheet that explains "Everything You Need to Know About Reserving Spaces!" Maya will be sending weekly versions of this spreadsheet out every Friday.
  2. View the space specific tabs of the space schedule spreadsheet for the upcoming week and make note of what spaces are available at the times you are interested in. A white, blank rectangle means that a 30 minute time slot is available.
  3. Email Maya at mayacostanzo@muhlenberg.edu with your space request at least 24 hours in advance of when you hope to occupy a studio. Include the time frame (or frames), date, and spaces you are hopeful for.
  4. You will be good to go when Maya confirm the reservation with you and plug it into our weekly spreadsheet! Instead of waiting for an email response, you can always visit Maya at her new office hours (explained below!) for an instantaneous confirmation.

For the current spreadsheet, please go here.

Maya's office hours for the rest of this semester will remain as follows:

Mondays: 10 am - noon
Wednesdays: noon - 2 pm
Fridays: 2 pm - 4 pm
Any other time the box office window is open

 

Dance Costume Loan Requests

The Theatre & Dance Department maintains a stock of props and costumes from past productions that students can borrow for their work in scenes and class projects. Please note, not all items are available for loan.
It's important that you plan ahead to ensure that you have the items you need in time for your project.
Here's how it works…

1. Choose your items

Contact Katrina in Props or Lex in the Costume Shop to see what they have that will fill your needs. See below for details. They might just be able to leave your items at the Box Office, or you might need to come in and take a look.
 

2. Pay your deposit

Once you've determined that there are items that meet your needs, come to the Box Office to pay your $20 refundable deposit. You can do this when you pick up items left for you. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday, noon – 6 pm.

3. Get your stuff

If items are left for you, just pick them up at the box office. If you need to take a look at stock, you can take your items with you when you find them (after you've paid your deposit, of course).

4. Use the stuff

Break a leg — but not your props and costumes! Take care of 'em! You're responsible for their safe, intact return.

5. Bring it back

You can return your items to the Box Office, again Monday through Friday, noon to 6 pm. You'll get your deposit back when the stuff comes back on time and in good condition.

Deposits

You can pay the $20 refundable deposit at the Box Office, via cash, check, or credit card. Each deposit covers up to five items. If you need both costumes and props, you'll need to pay two separate $20 deposits. Be sure hang onto the receipt for your deposit.

Prop Loans

To borrow props, email Katrina at props@muhlenberg.edu, to see if we have what you're looking for. Katrina can let you know what's available, or make an appointment for you to come take a look. If she has what you're looking for, you can arrange to have her leave it at the box office for pickup.
You may also come visit Prop Storage, in the Empie stage-right wing, during the posted hours of Friday noon to 2 pm to look through the stock of props. You must pay your $20 deposit before you take your items.
   Studio Productions may reserve furniture and leave it in prop storage until tech rehearsals. All other props should be taken with you at the time you select them.

Costume Loans

To borrow costumes from theatre costume stock or dance stock, fill out one of these forms:
Upon receipt of the form, Lex will determine whether Costume Stock includes any items that will suit your needs, and/or contact you to make an appointment to look through stock. There's no guarantee that requests can be fulfilled.
   You can view available dance stock using the online Dance Stock Catalogue. Multiple options should be provided, in case the costume(s) being requested are unavailable. Feel free to include photos and/or links in the form. If we have what you need, Lex will leave it for pickup at the box office.
   For Studio Productions, a z-rack can be made available for costumes to be held. All other costumes need to be taken at the time of rental.
   Costumes must be returned no later than the end of the semester they were borrowed — by Friday of Finals Week.

Lockers in the Box Office Lobby

For the Spring 2021 semester, the lockers in the Trexler Pavilion box office lobby will be available ONLY to students who are taking class in the Dance Studio Theatre.

Please watch this charming instructional video, featuring our own Gianna Neal!

Instructions:

  • Choose a locker!
  • Remember the location!
  • Lift the handle to open the locker.
  • Place your items inside the locker and lift the handle to close the door.

TO LOCK:

On the keypad:

  • Press the C button
  • Choose and enter a 4-digit code. (Choose something you will remember!)
  • Press the “key” button

The lock will then engage with a beep, and the indicator light with flash red. Your items are then secured until you choose to unlock the unit.

TO UNLOCK (the same process as locking):

  • Press the C button
  • Then enter the 4-digit code you chose
  • Press the “key” button

The lock will disengage and you can lift the handle and open the unit.

Some things to remember about the lockers:

  • The lockers are NOT overnight, indefinite storage. They are for use during classes and rehearsals. Items should not be left overnight or for extended periods of time.
  • The staff will open ALL of the lockers following the master classes on Friday afternoons to prevent folks from taking over the lockers indefinitely.
  • Staff will periodically AND FREQUENTLY unlock all units and remove all items — especially during breaks.
  • Please avoid placing ANY open containers or any particularly smelly items in the lockers.
  • Should you spill ANYTHING in a locker, it is your responsibility to clean it up immediately and if you need assistance, please seek assistance at either the box office or the administrative office upstairs.

If you forget your code, you can seek assistance in the Theatre and Dance office between the hours of 9 am AND 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

These videos give you a first-person look at how to get from point A to point B in the world of Theatre & Dance. Thanks to Mia Shmariahu '19 for the video assist!

  1. Baker Center for the Arts —> Trexler Pavilion
    1. Empie Theatre
    2. Baker Theatre
    3. Studio Theatre (Black Box)
    4. Box Office
  2. Trexler Pavilion —> Baker Center for the Arts
    1. Box Office
    2. Studio Theatre (Black Box)
    3. Baker Theatre
    4. Empie Theatre
  3. Brown Dance Studio
  4. CA 226 — The Tap Box (Center for the Arts)
  5. Dance Wellness Center & Pilates Studio
  6. Hillside House & Rehearsal House
  7. Lav Lounge / Lavender Lounge / Green Room
  8. Theatre & Dance Offices
  9. Scene Shop & Environs
    1. Scene Shop
    2. Damon Gelb's Office
    3. Eric Covell's Office
    4. Loading Dock
    5. Dumpster
  10. Other Tech Locations in the Center for the Arts
    1. the Vault (electrics)
    2. Paul Theisen's Office
    3. Prop Storage
  11. Bonus Round! The Baker Closet

Performance & Production Policy
(formerly known as 'The Two-Rule')

MTA members enrolled in any number of studio courses may be involved in only one production of any classification (except for Performance Ensembles) per semester, on or off campus. A member who is not enrolled in a studio course may be involved in up to two productions of any classification per semester, on or off campus. Members may be involved as designers in up to three productions of any classification, on or off campus.