MUSICAL THEATRE

The goal of the Citrus College Musical Theatre department is to nurture a student’s aesthetic sensitivities toward all aspects of Musical Theatre, either for personal enrichment or in preparation for a career in this field. The department is committed to a broad-based training program that provides each student with both academic preparation and production experience. The curriculum focuses on three primary components: techniques training and career preparation, productions, and guest artists.

Techniques Training and Career Preparation

The core of the musical theatre education is the Musical Theatre techniques class offered each fall. With a combined forty years of professional performing and directing experience, instructors Douglas Austin (Shrope) and John Vaughan prepare students for involvement in the musical theatre industry. In addition to receiving an overview of the history of this art form and attending numerous professional productions throughout Southern California, students participate in workshops ranging from audition techniques and makeup clinics to cold readings and resume building. Students learn for what types of roles they are suited, how to analyze characters, and develop the musical, acting, and interpretive skills needed to make those characters come to life.

Productions

Citrus offers students and community members the opportunity to transfer skills and knowledge to the stage by participating annually in full-scale musicals. The superb production staff, quality sets, costumes and lighting all showcased in Citrus’ state-of-the-art Haugh Performing Arts Center allows the student to experience all aspects of a professional musical theatre production. Past shows include The Music Man, Guys and Dolls, Into the Woods, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Crazy For You and Disney's Beauty and the Beast. The quality of these productions is among the highest anywhere in Southern California, and unequaled in community colleges.

Auditions for Phantom will be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2008 in the Citrus College Fine and Performing Arts Building. Auditions are open to anyone in the community, elementary students at 4pm, junior high students at 5pm, high school, college and adult communitry members at 7pm. Please bring sheet music from a musical theatre selection in the key in which you plan to sing and dress appropriately for the dance audition. A pianist will be provided. For more information, call Douglas Austin Shrope at (626) 914-8589, or email.

Guest Artists

The guest artist program allows students to observe and work with top performers and industry professionals. Students attend workshops, master classes, and performances by artists such as Barbara Cook, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Sandy Duncan. Musical theatre productions have been overseen by Broadway professionals including Tony award winning producer Barry Brown. Stiletto and Disney entertainment offer annual auditions, not only scouting talent, but helping students refine their performance skills. Department alumni maintain contact and frequently offer students new information about current industry trends and opportunities. By studying with working professionals, students gain a clearer understand of the talent, skills, and work ethic necessary for a career in musical theatre. Additionally, the department offers the Citrus Summer Conservatory, a 6 week program that integrates all Musical Theatre elements, culminating in a full-scale musical production.

For more information about auditions, the Musical Theatre Department or the Citrus Summer Conservatory, please contact Douglas Austin (Shrope) at (626) 914-8589, or email.

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